Louisiana House Bill HCR129

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/25/11
• Refer: 5/26/11
• Report Pass: 6/8/11
• Refer: 6/9/11
• Report Pass: 6/14/11
• Engrossed: 6/22/11
• Passed: 6/23/11

Caption

Requests that Board of Regents develop a permanent funding formula for LOUIS and support LOUIS as a critical component of the success of public postsecondary education institutions (EG +$2,237,601 GF EX See Note)

Impact

The resolution is significant as it addresses ongoing funding challenges faced by higher education institutions in Louisiana. It highlights the importance of a reliable funding mechanism that would ensure the continued availability of LOUIS's resources, thereby preventing potential accreditation issues that could arise from inadequate access to library services. The financial support outlined in HCR129, which includes centralized funding from the Board of Regents and user fees, aims to facilitate enhanced educational practices and resource accessibility across the state.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 129 (HCR129) urges and requests the Louisiana Board of Regents to develop a permanent funding formula for the Louisiana Library Network (LOUIS) and to advocate for its critical role in supporting the state's public postsecondary education institutions. LOUIS provides essential services such as library automation, access to research databases, interlibrary loan services, and a centralized digital library, all of which are vital to the operation of educational institutions in Louisiana.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR129 appears to be overwhelmingly positive among legislators, as evidenced by the unanimous vote in favor (31 yeas, 0 nays). Supporters emphasize the necessity of LOUIS in contributing to the success of public postsecondary education institutions and express confidence that a structured funding formula will bolster educational resources and enhance student services. The consensus reflects a commitment to maintaining educational standards and addressing the financial constraints impacting the higher education system.

Contention

There were no notable points of contention explicitly identified in the bill or its discussions; however, it is important to acknowledge that funding for educational resources is often debated within legislative contexts. While the passage of HCR129 indicates broad support, underlying budgetary constraints and the allocation of public funds to education versus other priorities can sometimes provoke differing opinions among stakeholders in the state.