HB 325 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS-Tech (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 325 revises Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship eligibility by adding a new pathway for students to qualify. Instead of requiring only a minimum GPA or ACT score, students can now qualify by completing at least nine credit hours of early college coursework (through dual enrollment or technical programs) or equivalent validated skills. This change applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in college during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects Louisiana students seeking this career-focused scholarship by expanding how they can meet academic requirements.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 24, 2026 Signed Jun 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB325 Original → HB325 Act 794 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill expands eligibility for the TOPS-Tech scholarship by adding validated skills and learning measures as an alternative to traditional dual enrollment credits. It also clarifies that students can maintain eligibility while enrolled part-time starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, whereas previously only full-time enrollment was required for continued funding.

Scope change

The bill applies to students graduating high school during or after the 2026-2027 academic year and modifies the rules for maintaining eligibility for those already enrolled.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'validated skills and learning measures' as an acceptable alternative to the nine credit hours of early college credit required for initial TOPS-Tech award qualification.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for maintaining TOPS-Tech funding from full-time enrollment only to allowing part-time enrollment starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date for new eligibility criteria to apply to students graduating high school during or after the 2026-2027 academic year.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026 · House Apr 27, 2026

How they voted

32–2

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 40

May 28, 2026

D Democratic12

9 Yea 3

75% Yea

R Republican28

23 Yea 2 Nay 3

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 31 yeas and 2 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Reported favorably. Rules suspended. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 19, 2026

Committee

Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Finance.

upper

May 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 91, nays 6. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (15-0).

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Education.

lower

1 primary · 46 co-sponsors