HLS 23RS-181 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 219
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES OWEN
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
TOPS: Provides relative to the application for federal student aid with respect to the Taylor
Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 17:5062(A)(2) and to repeal R.S. 17:5028(B), relative to the
3 Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to remove requirements relative to
4 applying for federal aid prior to receiving a program award; to provide for an
5 effective date; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:5062(A)(2) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง5062. Rules, procedures, and guidelines
9 A. The administering agency shall provide by rule for the following:
10 * * *
11 (2) Applications, forms, financial audit procedures, eligibility and other
12 program audit procedures, and other matters related to efficient operation, including
13 timelines and deadlines for receipt by the administering agency of any information
14 required to implement the provisions of this Chapter. The administering agency may
15 provide an alternative application for students who can demonstrate that they do not
16 qualify for federal grant aid.
17 * * *
18 Section 2. R.S. 17:5028(B) is hereby repealed in its entirety.
19 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
20signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-181 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 219
1by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
2vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
3effective on the day following such approval.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 219 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Charles Owen
Abstract: Removes requirement that students apply for federal aid prior to receiving a
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award.
Present law provides for the TOPS award as a merit scholarship program. Requires that
students apply for a federal grant prior to receiving a TOPS award unless they can
demonstrate that they do not qualify for federal grant aid. Proposed law removes this
requirement.
Present law requires the Bd. of Regents to provide by rule for TOPS applications. Proposed
law retains present law. Present law authorizes the board to provide an alternative
application for students who can demonstrate that they do not qualify for federal grant aid.
Proposed law removes present law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:5062(A)(2); Repeals R.S. 17:5028(B))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.