Louisiana Senate Bill SB84

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/20
• Refer: 2/21/20
• Refer: 3/9/20
• Report Pass: 3/11/20
• Engrossed: 5/13/20
• Report Pass: 5/20/20
• Enrolled: 5/28/20
• Chaptered: 6/5/20
• Passed: 6/5/20

Caption

Provides relative to legislative approval of Education Excellence Fund expenditure plans. (gov sig)

Impact

The impact of SB84 on state laws is significant as it brings a structured timeline and process to the approval of funding plans, thereby enhancing legislative oversight of educational expenditures. By requiring both legislative education committees to approve these plans, the bill aims to ensure fiscal accountability and alignment with educational priorities across school systems. This approach is expected to streamline the funding process and potentially lead to more efficient utilization of the Education Excellence Fund, promoting better educational outcomes.

Summary

Senate Bill 84 aims to amend the regulations surrounding the Education Excellence Fund in Louisiana by establishing a clear requirement for the state Department of Education to submit expenditure plans for school funding for legislative approval. Specifically, the bill mandates that these plans must be submitted to the Senate and House Education Committees by November 15 each year. The intent is to ensure that expenditure plans are thoroughly vetted and approved by legislative committees before funds are allocated, thereby fostering greater oversight and transparency in how education funds are used within the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB84 appears to be generally positive among lawmakers, as it focuses on improving oversight and accountability regarding educational expenditures. Supporters view it as a necessary step to promote effective use of state funds and to ensure that schools are receiving appropriate resources tailored to their needs. However, some concerns have been raised about additional bureaucratic processes possibly leading to delays in fund allocation for schools that require immediate support.

Contention

Notably, while there is broad support for the goal of increasing legislative oversight of school funding, some stakeholders might contend that imposing a rigid annual timeline could hinder the flexibility schools need to respond to emergent funding requirements or unforeseen circumstances. The discussions around SB84 suggest an ongoing debate between maintaining oversight and ensuring timely access to educational resources, which may be a continued point of contention among educational advocates and public officials.