GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 196 2022 Regular Session Nelson
HIGHER EDUCATION: Creates the Stimulating More Advanced Research and
Technology (SMART) Program and the SMART Fund for the purpose of awarding
grants to support research at public postsecondary education institutions
DIGEST
Proposed law establishes the SMART Program for the purpose of awarding grants to support
research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at public
postsecondary education institutions. Provides for program administration by the Bd. of
Regents. Proposed law further:
(1)Provides that grants shall be used for the following purposes:
(a)Matching research grants from federal agencies and other sources.
(b)Awarding hiring bonuses and startup packages for the purpose of attracting
faculty.
(c)Construction, improvement, or procurement of research facilities,
laboratories, equipment, or supplies.
(d)Scholarships and stipends for graduate students.
(2)Requires the board, as funding allows, to award grants on a competitive basis among
the four categories above with a preference for those purposes related to research that
has the opportunity for commercialization.
(3)Requires at least 20% of the grants to be awarded to institutions outside of the Baton
Rouge and New Orleans metro regions.
(4)Requires the percentage of all grant amounts in a year that is awarded to historically
black colleges and universities be approximately equal to the percentage of all
students enrolled in post secondary education institutions who are enrolled at
historically black colleges and universities.
Proposed law creates the SMART Fund within the state treasury for the purpose of providing
funding for the SMART program and:
(1)Authorizes and directs the state treasurer, on July 1, 2026, to transfer $150 million
from the state general fund into the fund. Each subsequent July first, requires the
state treasurer to transfer from the state general fund into the fund an amount
sufficient to bring the balance of the fund to $150 million.
(2)Provides that monies in the fund are subject to legislative appropriation and shall be
available exclusively for use by the Bd. of Regents for the SMART program.
Proposed law requires the board to submit a written report containing a return on investment
analysis to the House and Senate education committees, the House Committee on
Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance not later than Jan. 31st annually and
to adopt rules and regulations for the implementation of proposed law.
Effective upon appropriation of funds by the legislature.
(Adds R.S. 17:3138.10)
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Prepared by Cheryl Serrett. Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
engrossed bill:
1. Add institutions that are members of the La. Assoc. of Independent Colleges and
Universities as eligible recipients of grants pursuant to proposed law.
2. Add requirement that grants be awarded such that the percentage of all grant
amounts in a year that is awarded to historically black colleges and universities
is approximately equal to the percentage of all students enrolled in postsecondary
education institutions who are enrolled at historically black colleges and
universities.
3. Remove requirement that each year the treasurer transfer $150,000,000 from the
state general fund into the fund.
4. Add requirement that on July 1, 2026, the treasurer transfer $150,000,000 from
the state general fund into the fund. Thereafter, each July first, require the
treasurer to transfer from the state general fund into the fund an amount sufficient
to bring the balance of the fund up to $150,000,000.
5. Make effectiveness of proposed law subject to appropriation of funds by the
legislature.
6. Make technical changes.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill
1. Removes private institutions as possible grant recipients.
2. Clarifies that grants may be awarded to support research in the fields of
biomedical science and agricultural science.
3. Includes postdoctoral fellows as possible scholarship recipients.
4. Makes technical changes.
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Prepared by Cheryl Serrett.