Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 23, 2026

HCR 30: STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Requests the Board of Regents to study the potential establishment of a legislative scholarship program

This bill asks the Board of Regents to study creating a scholarship program where each state legislator could nominate one student per year for public colleges and universities. The study must be completed by March 1, 2027, and include recommendations for new laws if a program is feasible. The scholarship costs would be covered by the educational institutions themselves, and the Board must consult with college management boards during the review. This resolution does not create funding or establish the program, but rather directs officials to investigate the possibility and report their findings to education committees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes studying a scholarship program to expand educational access for students at public colleges, though it requires further analysis before implementation.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 20: SCHOOLS/FINANCE-MFP: Provides for legislative approval of the MFP formula for FY 2026-2027 (OR -$12,159,331 GF EX See Note)

This bill approves a state funding formula for public schools in Louisiana for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which determines how much money each school district receives based on student needs and local financial capacity. The formula calculates funding through four levels: a base amount based on student enrollment and special needs like poverty or disabilities, an incentive for districts to exceed minimum requirements, specific allocations for staff pay raises and mandated costs, and additional funds for specialized programs and charter schools. The legislation applies to city and parish school systems, various types of charter schools, and state university lab schools, ensuring funds are used only for educational purposes such as instruction, staff salaries, and facility maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill approves state funding formula for public schools, increasing financial resources for education services and student needs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill approves state funding formula for public schools, determining funding based on student needs and local capacity, directly supporting education funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education School Funding

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passed · Louisiana · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 42: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes and acknowledges the significant contributions of the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana to the education and training of students and workers and designates Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

This bill designates Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College Day at the state Capitol to honor the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana. The resolution formally recognizes these institutions' contributions to student education and workforce training across the state. It does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the colleges' role in providing affordable education and technical training. The bill is transmitted to the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for official record.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors community and technical colleges' contributions to education and workforce training, providing symbolic recognition of their role in affordable education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 380: COLLEGES/COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL: Authorizes any institution under the supervision and management of the Bd. of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges to establish a pilot program with a school system to increase awareness of and access to certain training programs (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 380 authorizes Sowela Technical Community College to create a pilot program partnering with local public school systems in Louisiana. The program aims to increase awareness and access to commercial driver's license (CDL), entry-level driver training, and transportation/logistics career programs for students. The partnership requires approval from both Sowela's governing board and the local school board before implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes college-school partnerships to increase access to career training programs, expanding educational opportunities for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 178: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. (8/1/26)

SB 178 updates Louisiana law to clarify the responsibilities of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. The bill specifically adds river water research and agricultural youth development programs (including FFA and 4-H) to the center's existing duties of managing statewide agricultural extension and research. This change directly affects the LSU Agricultural Center, defining its administrative scope for existing programs. The bill does not create new programs or funding but formally incorporates these activities into the center's legal mandate. It is currently pending review by the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds FFA/4-H youth development programs to LSU Agricultural Center's duties, supporting agricultural education initiatives without new funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 749: FUNDS/INVESTMENTS: Authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for the administration of certain savings accounts (ABLE, START, and START K12 programs) and the investment of account funds (EN +$4,000,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 749 authorizes Louisiana’s Tuition Trust Authority to hire a private program manager to administer three existing savings programs: ABLE (for people with disabilities), START (for college savings), and START K12 (for K-12 education). It allows the authority to contract with this manager for account management and investment of funds after December 31, 2026, or when the contract is signed - whichever comes later. Until that date, the state continues managing interest rates, investments, and fund transfers under current rules. The bill updates statutes to formalize this transition and requires coordination with the state treasurer and legislative leaders. This change affects how Louisiana’s education savings programs operate, shifting administrative control to a contracted provider while maintaining existing program structures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes administration of START K12 savings program, supporting K-12 educational funding access through private management contracts for savings accounts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 304: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides for accreditation for public colleges and universities. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 304 establishes new rules for accrediting Louisiana's public colleges and universities, giving the Board of Regents authority to set accreditation policies. It directly affects all public postsecondary institutions and their management boards (like those for LSU, Southern University, and community colleges). Key provisions require institutions to get management board approval before switching accreditors, mandate that new accreditors must prioritize student success, educational quality, affordability, and financial stability, and prohibit any accreditor from conditioning accreditation on legal violations. The bill also requires institutions to publicly post accreditation status updates on their websites.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accreditors prioritize student success and educational quality, strengthening oversight for public universities per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 174: PUBLIC LANDS: Authorizes the transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish. (gov sig) (EN +$775,000 SG RV See Note)

SB 174 authorizes Louisiana Tech University and the state commissioner of administration to transfer a specific parcel of state-owned property (Lot 1, Shreve Park Industrial Campus) in Caddo Parish to the Caddo Parish School Board, excluding mineral rights. The bill requires the parties to agree on terms proportional to the property's appraised value and execute necessary documents for the transfer. This legislation directly affects the Caddo Parish School Board, which would gain ownership of the described parcel for potential educational or community use, while the state retains mineral rights to the land.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationTransfers state property to Caddo Parish School Board, directly supporting school infrastructure through asset acquisition for educational facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 407: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (EN -$1,100,000 SD EX See Note)

HB 407 lowers the minimum age requirement for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, a state-funded higher education assistance program. The bill phases in reduced age thresholds over several academic years: applicants must be at least 20 for 2024-2025, 19 for 2025-2026, 18 for 2026-2027, and 17 for 2027-2028 onward. This change directly affects prospective college students seeking program eligibility based on their age at application. The policy modifies existing eligibility rules to allow younger applicants to qualify for tuition assistance at Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers age requirement for state-funded higher education program, expanding access to assistance for younger students by reducing eligibility barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 649: HIGHER EDUCATION: Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs

HB 649 requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a single statewide application system for high school students seeking dual enrollment courses at public colleges. It mandates all public postsecondary institutions to participate in this system unless they provide written notice of non-participation to their management board. The bill also directs management boards to develop plans for improving student access and cost efficiency, with implementation required by the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects high school students, public colleges, and their administrative boards by replacing multiple application processes with a standardized, statewide approach.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates statewide dual enrollment application system to expand college access for high school students and requires cost efficiency plans, directly advancing educational access in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education