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House committee advances bill to continue bonds for community and technical college facilities
Summary
The House Committee on Ways and Means on May 19 reported Senate Bill 72 favorably. The bill continues a capital outlay program that authorizes bonds to modernize Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) facilities and requires a 12% local match for projects.
Senate Bill 72, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Reese, was reported favorably by the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 19. The legislation continues a program that issues bonds to finance capital improvements across campuses in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS).
Senator Reese described the measure as “a continuation of the capital outlay initiative started by Act 360 of 2013 and Act 391 of 02/2007,” and said prior reauthorizations funded dozens of modernization projects statewide. “Every project is required to have a 12% local match,” he told the committee.
The bill would allow LCTCS to leverage bond financing to modernize training labs and facilities serving healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, IT and construction programs. Tim Hardy, chair of the LCTCS board, said the system trains technicians needed by businesses locating in Louisiana and called the funding “an exciting time for us.” Chan Le Labov, vice president for education at LCTCS, told the committee the funds would target equipment and lab modernization at listed campuses.
Committee members highlighted workforce needs tied to the bill. Representative Farnham and Representative Billings both spoke in support, noting the link between modern training facilities and local job pipelines. Vice Chair Brass pressed LCTCS and lawmakers to coordinate additional recruitment, dual‑enrollment and affordability programs so employers’ investments in the region will be matched by available workers. LCTCS officials said ongoing programs such as MJ Foster and other workforce funds have been exhausted and said the system is requesting additional funding to expand training capacity; they cited a requested workforce fund of about $30,000,000 to expand programming in targeted sectors.
The committee reported Senate Bill 72 favorably with a voice motion; Representative Farnham moved the favorable report. The bill was not recorded on a roll call in this committee action and will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.
