House approves Grambling State University income-tax check-off after brief questioning

The Louisiana House of Representatives on March 8 approved House Bill 474, which creates an individual income-tax check-off allowing taxpayers to donate state income-tax refund amounts to the Grambling State University National Alumni Association. The bill passed on final passage by a recorded vote of 82 yeas to 13 nays.

Representative Young, the bill sponsor, told the chamber the provision creates a voluntary way for taxpayers who receive refunds to support Grambling State through a designated check-off on the return. "This bill creates an individual income tax check off, for taxpayers... If you get a refund and you wanna donate to the Grambling State University National Alumni Association, this bill allows you to do it," the sponsor said.

Representative Omidy asked why the bill restores a check box after the third special session in 2024 had removed several check boxes from the tax form. Omidy noted the earlier effort to simplify the form and questioned the need to add another box back. Representative Young responded that other check boxes remain on the form and said Grambling had such a box previously; he said the sponsor "just wanted to add Grambling State to it." The sponsor did not cite specific revenue estimates for the new check-off during floor remarks.

The House gave the bill a right-to-close and then recorded the final vote. The clerk announced the result as 82 yeas and 13 nays, and the bill "finally passes" on third reading.

The House moved on to other remaining calendar items after adopting the bill's title and completing the final-passage vote.

Votes and further procedural steps: the sponsor waived closing and asked members to record their votes; the clerk later recorded the tally and the House adopted the bill's title.