Northshore Conifer posted on April 25, 2010 15:54
This week bills of interest on school board reforms and workforce issues moved to their next stages, as supported by the St. Tammany Joint Public Policy Committee. Meanwhile, there was much hallway talk on budget matters, with formal action expected to pick up in the next two weeks, as the House Appropriations Committee grapples with balancing the books for the next fiscal year that starts July 1. Likewise, the first deliberations on Higher Education reforms, led by LA GRAD Act, are anticipated in the coming week, another priority area for the St. Tammany JPP.
Below is a recap of this week's legislative actions and a preview of next week's line up.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Highlights of Bills passed in Committee:
HB 438 Pearson - Hospital Service District Foundations-Investments (Local)
HB 688 Foil
- Authorizes the CPRA to assist in the formation of a coastal science consortium (Infrastructure)
HB 723 Connick
- Provides with respect to dual office holding and dual employment (good government)
HB 969 Pearson
- School Board Member Qualification (K12)
HB 1055 Richmond
- Eliminates the division of adult and community education within the Dept. of Education and transfers the responsibility for adult education programs from BESE to LCTCS (Workforce)
SB 291 Donahue
- Nonresident Contractor Tax ID on Permit (infrastructure)
SCR 42 Chaisson
- Budget Stabilization Fund Monies Availability (budget)
Highlights of Bills passed on the Floor:
HB 522 G. Jackson
- Design-build Contracts Utilization Extension (infrastructure)
HB 771 Burns
- Provides for additional public notice requirements related to proposed increases in millage rates without voter approval (Tax Policy)
HB 782 Cromer
- Provides relative to expropriation of property in St. Tammany Parish (revised Quick Take program in order to acquire property for road, drainage, water, utility, or sewerage projects)
SB 412 Donahue
- Creates State Buildings and Lands Use Group (Streamlining)
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday Committee Action Scheduled:
HB 206 Fannin - Provides for changes to the La. State Uniform Construction Code.
SB 286 Donahue - Requires reporting certain personnel information in budget request forms for institutions of higher education.
Tuesday Committee Action Scheduled:
HCR 115 Downs - Recommends alternative funding sources for transportation construction projects in the state of La.
HB 325 Stiaes - (Constitutional Amendment) Authorizes an extension of the homestead exemption and special assessment level for property damaged or destroyed by a disaster under certain circumstances.
HB 595 Stiaes - Extends the homestead exemption and special assessment level for property damaged or destroyed by a disaster under certain circumstances
Wednesday Committee Action Scheduled:
HB 942 Carter - Provides relative to the employment of the local public school superintendent and the authority of the superintendent and the school board for personnel matters.
HB 996 Tucker - (Constitutional Amendment) Abolishes the Board of Regents, LSU board, Southern University board, and UL board and creates the La. University System Board of Trustees.
HB 1224 Tucker - Provides relative to the governance, management, and supervision of public institutions of postsecondary education.
HB 990 Thierry - Amends provisions of the Inmate Rehabilitation and Workforce Development Act.
Thursday Committee Action Scheduled:
HB 229 Pearson - (Constitutional Amendment) Relative to public retirement systems, requires a 2/3 vote to enact any changes to retirement provisions having an actuarial cost.
HB 401 Harrison
- (Constitutional Amendment) Exempts public postsecondary education tuition amounts and mandatory fees from requirements for imposing a new or increasing an existing tax or fee.
HB 767 Tucker - (Constitutional Amendment) Exempts public postsecondary education tuition amounts and mandatory fees from requirements for imposing a new or increasing an existing tax or fee
As the Session continues, the St. Tammany JPP will actively monitor bills of high interest and will mobilize as needed on priority issues. In an effort to keep the membership informed and engaged look for more Legislative Updates and Action Alerts throughout the Session. Those interested can also research legislation and Capitol activities on the state website at www.legis.state.la.us.