[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6235292,"mediaKeyId","3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6","parentId",3406282,"title","House adds 'excellence' TOPS award, approves amendment to let out‑of‑state alumni use unused TOPS for medical/dental school","audioSeconds",3194,"startMs",3324000,"endMs",6518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6&start=3324&end=6518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6/thumbnail_3324000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235292/Louisiana/House-adds-excellence-TOPS-award-approves-amendment-to-let-outofstate-alumni-use-unused-TOPS-for-medicaldental-school","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235292-ec99b68f5fec288629fd079ecdb8a7f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138389&Signature=jUdnswX8u5mHe1pYyjxF8kGXDktyohiGsWgopl7d38sxE2AT8p0z2JzM9eFRcjdrlYKDrum06xzTL3y8RaRqjbW07L3kq2vsKiCwFzvQXsZX4eIvHfAEszEhpUGfVYP9SXtFm8kLeDfRm1LmyhNBkpqjGvLjYE5H6WfM~rgtp-I4AXiqr5FA6-meaUn4kQgxZ4C7OFum4KmHODkQbv-Y~qGIsI1F2r9RwITDda4SQtjXZV1mdPopW78EaVlpY4eWqDasD4bphmp3mdyrmPQnVmerDRIjc8gIxQlE-82oGuzEGXvyaYStcmb0KUftpQAKmGuxWwctAeJWgeq0r45K3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Louisiana House on Monday approved an amendment to HB77 that adds a new \"excellence\" TOPS award tier and—by a subsequent floor amendment—allows certain Louisiana high‑school graduates who completed undergraduate degrees out of state to reclaim unused TOPS eligibility for medical or dental school provided they return to practice in Louisiana for a required period.

The measure and its floor amendments were debated extensively. Representative Mike Turner, the bill’s floor sponsor, said the ‘‘excellence’’ award would permit students who meet higher academic thresholds (for example, a 31 ACT and a 3.5 GPA in the bill text) to receive full tuition and fee coverage. ‘‘If you hit the excellence award in Louisiana, you would not pay any tuition or fees,’’ Turner said while explaining the new award level.

The most contested amendment, offered by Turner and drawn from HB275, would let Louisiana‑qualified students who graduated outside the state later use their unused TOPS eligibility for professional medical or dental education if they commit to stay and work in Louisiana for three years; the fiscal note for that amendment estimated roughly $367,000 in year one and $4.6 million in year five. Critics on the floor argued the change could create new recurring costs and urged the body to send the amended bill back to appropriations for a full fiscal review. Representative Robby Miller and other opponents unsuccessfully moved to recommit the bill; that motion failed on the recorded vote.

After extended debate and several additional floor amendments (including one from Rep. Chasson to cover Louisiana students who returned in‑state after an out‑of‑state freshman year), members adopted the Turner amendment on a roll call (73 ayes, 26 nays) and later passed the final bill as amended on a recorded vote (reported in the transcript as 91 ayes, 4 nays). The House also recorded separate votes rejecting a motion to recommit the amended bill to appropriations (33 ayes, 67 nays).

Supporters said the changes aim to keep high‑performing students and future physicians in Louisiana and to put leftover TOPS dollars from prior years to work. Opponents warned the proposal could be an unfunded mandate without further appropriations review and questioned whether the state has reliable estimates of how many students would use the program. A number of members also urged consideration of alternative spending priorities—such as need‑based GoGrant funding for undergraduates—during debate.

Pending actions and next steps: proponents acknowledged some floor amendments (the medical/dental provision) had not yet been vetted by appropriations; opponents successfully used that point in arguments against recommittal but the body ultimately adopted the amendments and passed the bill. If enacted, the statute changes would take effect as provided in the text and implementation details (including any repayment/recapture language and enforcement for the three‑year return requirement) rely on follow‑up rules and fiscal allocations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House of Representatives May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Louisiana House on Monday approved a set of amendments to HB77 that create a new \"excellence\" TOPS award and allow certain Louisiana‑qualified students who graduated out of state to use unused TOPS eligibility for medical or dental school if they return to practice in Louisiana.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6235283,"House passes bill letting victims suspend remote access to vehicles after protective orders",7042,3304000,10346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6&start=3304&end=10346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6/thumbnail_3304000.jpg","/articles/6235283/Louisiana/House-passes-bill-letting-victims-suspend-remote-access-to-vehicles-after-protective-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235283-7b69c69a0cebe83c90347f01463ca195/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138389&Signature=OEaAhv-T9piX2Kp3-flMM0wvz8UrUtk9a5SCVG90-JaF1kal6goz2UlIuH2KxBQS9m9xEE-j2H9YlzVGKXk5s1QQ2p20DhEmti6pyhfvvE7i4WRZO2WXxkL4QBE4~1ATLSLwUXFVFWFfhk0BSqVQp9YcNCikMTKkvM-i1lC4LUYr1sKvOFa4JWedKyZzQGuW-xreQTcEzC~8JegZvLwHAuQl3L-Jv9v2GHBSApbnTeC2njGqoc-2nxIMqGp-keoCHn~kbLl9~njSn1MoMNqLC9Rql~xJ9siDM6mxBiwcdWKRZSmWiFvCzC0EgTQc8~W8DzQ3MiCKB7NDpCJze4Y-Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House approved HB74, a measure requiring vehicle manufacturers to provide a process that allows people with a valid protective order to suspend remote access and tracking features on vehicles when a safety concern is shown. The bill, carried by the speaker pro tem, was presented as a targeted privacy and safety measure to protect domestic‑violence victims from remote control and tracking functions embedded in modern connected vehicles.

Supporters described real‑world incidents in which an abuser used a dealership‑provisioned app or manufacturer portal to lock or track a vehicle and to harass or follow a victim; sponsors said those incidents have led to threats and violence in other states. The bill requires manufacturers to create an online suspension portal and to suspend remote access upon receipt of a completed suspension request form and certified copy of a protective order. The text also contains provisions protecting manufacturers from a suit by the alleged abuser for disabling a remote connection and creates a small survivor empowerment fund financed by civil penalties if a manufacturer fails to honor the process.

Representative Mike Johnson, the bill sponsor on the floor, summarized the purpose: “This legislation simply protects victims of domestic abuse from abusers who use the remote access and the vehicle technology on their automobile bills to stalk, harass, or control them remotely.” Debate on the measure was relatively brief. Supporters said manufacturers had agreed in committee to the bill’s fundamental approach and to language ensuring that complying with a suspension request would not expose them to liability from the other party.

The House passed HB74 by recorded voice vote on the floor and later on the transcript recorded as unanimous (100–0 by machine tally reported in the record), sending the bill toward the Senate. Implementation will require manufacturers to provide the portal and procedures described in the statute; sponsors said penalties in the bill would fund a survivor empowerment account if manufacturers fail to honor requests.","Lawmakers approved legislation to require manufacturers to disable remote‑access vehicle features for people who present a protective order, and to shield manufacturers from litigation by the alleged abuser; sponsors said the bill protects victims of stalking and harassment using vehicle apps.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6235287,"House advances measure limiting mandated DEI programs and trainings at state agencies and public colleges after lengthy floor debate",5290,8292000,13582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6&start=8292&end=13582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3406282-edc9841b8129dd1770120f82b666f7b6/thumbnail_8292000.jpg","/articles/6235287/Louisiana/House-advances-measure-limiting-mandated-DEI-programs-and-trainings-at-state-agencies-and-public-colleges-after-lengthy-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235287-6e183f0501a2bf3dd9f373142c538783/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138389&Signature=Ljrb5Dqog1ZoWHJKfKvPQlDHA7T58HMph~bSL6OOzjE6NHU-uXyqzWRvbdEsCWXcY6MIWFKOR9WFq33FcdhnVE-qKmJXjOeJaBZ0rx9iFa-JUx2Ih5ueLikijr0xfHDpqR5XsHKe5WPv-M7W8MhnADp359S0Bm2E7N0lOiNALfVGXfPY8uZyXJMXWqZHxt7iZFOMG7IcodDdos4LcmngB8Z~Cl40BQSvJYZqeZTl1W7g~G-3peIjRYaqyN8mdsv2d2nscDVgsUwd6f6R5JBr~RzUU7B29y~v~qamwnU5NjA0EGTiciukhkgBY8cVyDCHJZMnPXnXjVF4y~5LWIlAkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House voted to pass HB6 85 after extensive floor debate that ran for several hours and drew broad participation from both sides of the aisle. The bill, carried by Representative Emily Chenier, restricts the creation and operation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, trainings and mandated coursework within state agencies and public postsecondary institutions; it also imposes reporting requirements and narrowly defined exemptions for academic freedom and federally required nondiscrimination obligations.

Supporters framed the bill as a guardrail that prevents compelled political or ideological instruction and keeps public institutions in line with federal nondiscrimination law. Representative Chenier said the bill protects classroom academic freedom while prohibiting mandatory DEI requirements imposed on students or employees; she described the text as a compliance‑focused measure that aims to avoid federal enforcement problems and to prohibit “mandated” DEI instructional content.

Opponents, including many members who spoke at length on the floor, said the measure is overly broad and risks undermining programs that support underrepresented students, veterans, people with disabilities and other groups. Speakers noted that many state and federal programs that deliver services or outreach use language related to diversity and equity; they warned that eliminating or defunding those efforts could cut access to federal grants and leave vulnerable populations without support. Several members described the proposal as politically divisive and urged the House not to remove offices and positions that provide outreach, technical assistance or federally required reporting on equity for constituencies such as farmers, veterans and rural residents.

Members also debated enforcement and practical effects. Several asked how agencies would determine whether a given program or training violates the bill, and whether there would be sanctions for professors, departments or agencies that did not comply. The author and supporters said the bill is primarily about programmatic limits and reporting, not criminal sanctions; agencies required to change programs would be asked to submit plans and to follow federal civil‑rights law. Members from both parties pressed staff and the author for clarity about federal compliance, fiscal impacts, and whether existing programs (including scholarships, outreach and minority‑affairs offices) would be affected.

A substitute adopted in committee narrowed some language and added clarifications about academic freedom and federally required nondiscrimination. On final passage the House recorded a roll‑call vote; the body passed the measure after a lengthy exchange (final recorded result reported in the transcript: 57 yeas, 32 nays). Advocates for the bill said it protects constitutional freedoms in public instruction; critics said it risks removing supports and may reduce access to federal funding and services for vulnerable groups. If enacted, the bill directs agencies and institutions to inventory and, where required, alter programs that fall within the new prohibitions, and to submit compliance plans.","Rep. Emily Chenier's HB6 85 passed the House amid prolonged debate over the bill's scope and impact; supporters say it protects free speech and ensures compliance with federal non‑discrimination law, opponents say it is unnecessary and will chill academic inquiry and peel back programs that expand opportunity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House adds 'excellence' TOPS award, approves amendment to let out‑of‑state alumni use unused TOPS for medical/dental school

House passes bill letting victims suspend remote access to vehicles after protective orders

House advances measure limiting mandated DEI programs and trainings at state agencies and public colleges after lengthy floor debate