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Committee clears student‑literacy bill after education department says costs are covered
Summary
House Bill 3 16, which sets a literacy framework for grades 4–8 and aligns teacher preparation with the science of reading, was reported favorable after the Department of Education told members it does not anticipate new costs.
The committee reported House Bill 3 16 favorable after witnesses and agency staff said the Department of Education has the capacity to implement the bill without new state money.
Representative Wilder described the bill as a framework building on prior literacy reforms and said the attached fiscal note reflects that departmental capacity. Ashley Townsend of the Louisiana Department of Education said the department used federal COVID funds in prior years to build professional development courses and align teacher preparation with the science of reading; those resources can support implementation for grades 4–8. “We don't anticipate any new costs for this,” Townsend told the committee.
Supporters from literacy organizations were listed in the committee packet; members moved the bill favorable by unanimous consent.
