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HR17 • 2026

TOPS: Directs the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to study the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

TOPS: Directs the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to study the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

Budget Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Christopher Turner
Last action
2026-04-30
Official status
Sent to the Secretary of State
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

TOPS: Directs the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to study the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

TOPS: Directs the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to study the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

What This Bill Does

  • TOPS: Directs the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to study the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Adopted

Plain English: HCAHR17 224 3747 HOUSE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS 2026 Regular Session Amendments proposed by House Committee on Education to Original House Resolution No.

  • HCAHR17 224 3747 HOUSE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS 2026 Regular Session Amendments proposed by House Committee on Education to Original House Resolution No.
  • 17 by Representative Turner 1 AMENDMENT NO.
  • 1 2 On page 1, line 6, after "Education" delete the remainder of the line and delete line 7 and 3 insert a comma "," and insert "the House Committee on Appropriations, and the House 4 Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations not later than February 15, 2027." 5 AMENDMENT NO.
  • 2 6 On page 2, line 15, after "Education" delete the remainder of the line and delete line 16 and 7 insert a comma "," and insert the following: 8 "the House Committee on Appropriations, and the House Committee on Labor and Industrial 9 Relations not later than February 15, 2027.
Draft

Plain English: HCAHR17 224 3685 HOUSE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS 2026 Regular Session Amendments proposed by House Committee on Education to Original House Resolution No.

  • HCAHR17 224 3685 HOUSE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS 2026 Regular Session Amendments proposed by House Committee on Education to Original House Resolution No.
  • 17 by Representative Turner 1 AMENDMENT NO.
  • 1 2 On page 1, line 6, after "Education" delete the remainder of the line and delete line 7 and 3 insert a comma "," and insert "the House Committee on Appropriations, and the House 4 Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations not later than February 15, 2027." 5 AMENDMENT NO.
  • 2 6 On page 2, line 15, after "Education" delete the remainder of the line and delete line 16 and 7 insert a comma "," and insert the following: 8 "the House Committee on Appropriations, and the House Committee on Labor and 9 Industrial Relations not later than February 15, 2027.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-30 H

    Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.

  2. 2026-04-28 H

    Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

  3. 2026-04-27 H

    Read by title, roll called, yeas 93, nays 1. The resolution was adopted.

  4. 2026-04-22 H

    Scheduled for floor debate on 04/27/2026.

  5. 2026-04-15 H

    Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

  6. 2026-04-14 H

    Reported with amendments (11-0).

  7. 2026-03-16 H

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

  8. 2026-03-11 H

    Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

Official Summary Text

TOPS: Directs the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to study the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 17
BY REPRESENTATIVE TURNER
A RESOLUTION
To authorize and direct the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic
Development to jointly study, in collaboration with the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Public Policy Center, the state's return on investment with respect to the Taylor
Opportunity Program for Students and submit a written report of findings and
recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the House Committee on
Appropriations, and the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations not later
than February 15, 2027.
WHEREAS, the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) has enabled
thousands of Louisiana students to pursue postsecondary education and served as a
cornerstone of opportunity for nearly three decades; and
WHEREAS, TOPS represents one of Louisiana's most significant financial
commitments to postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, TOPS has increased college access and retention for Louisiana students,
yet questions persist regarding the program's long-term return on investment for the state;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, and Louisiana Economic
Development each play a central role in aligning education and workforce needs to
strengthen Louisiana's economic competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette conducts objective, data-driven policy research on complex state
programs; and
WHEREAS, a coordinated study among these agencies will enable the state to
identify whether current investments in TOPS are producing sufficient workforce and
economic outcomes and to determine how program funds could be better targeted to support
Louisiana's future workforce needs; and
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HR NO. 17 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, ensuring that Louisiana taxpayers receive an optimal return on their
investment in postsecondary education incentives is essential for the long-term fiscal health
and prosperity of the state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby authorize and direct the Board of Regents, Louisiana
Works, and Louisiana Economic Development to jointly study the state's return on
investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) and submit
a written report of findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the
House Committee on Appropriations, and the House Committee on Labor and Industrial
Relations not later than February 15, 2027.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these agencies shall use information provided
by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance when conducting the study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these agencies shall work collaboratively with
the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center to design the research framework,
collect necessary data, and ensure transparency throughout the process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall include, at a minimum, the
following:
(1) An analysis of post-graduation outcomes for TOPS recipients, including
workforce participation, in-state employment retention, and average earnings.
(2) A comparison of the economic and workforce outcomes of TOPS recipients
versus nonrecipients.
(3) An assessment of whether the various award levels and institutional distribution
maximize Louisiana's workforce needs and economic development priorities.
(4) Recommendations for policy adjustments needed to ensure TOPS funds are used
in a manner aligned with Louisiana's long-term workforce needs, economic competitiveness,
and the prosperity of its citizens.
(5) A comparative analysis of the largest state-funded financial assistance programs
for students enrolled in postsecondary education institutions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report may be incorporated into the 2027
Launch Louisiana report developed and published by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public
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HR NO. 17 ENROLLED
Policy Center for Louisiana's Foundational Integrated Research System for Transformation
as provided in R.S. 17:3138.12(D)(1).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the purpose of this study is not to review
individual TOPS eligibility criteria or award determinations but to examine long-term
economic and workforce trends to inform future state competitiveness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chairman of the Board of Regents, commissioner of higher education, secretary of Louisiana
Works, secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, state superintendent of education,
and presidents of the Louisiana State University System, Southern University System,
University of Louisiana System, and Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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