BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Provides relative to the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education
Summary
HB 319 revises the membership structure of the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education. The bill updates several commission seats tied to civic education and public information organizations, including the Louisiana Legislators Back to School Program, Project Citizen, the Public Affairs Research Council, and Leaders for a Better Louisiana. It also changes how some members are appointed or designated, allowing certain organizations’ executive directors or coordinators to name designees rather than serving personally in every case.
The bill also removes two existing commission membership provisions: the additional member representing the Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations and the open-ended seat for any additional member with expertise in civic education or civic involvement. In their place, the bill keeps the commission focused on a narrower set of specified members and adds a quorum rule requiring ten members for business to be conducted, with official action requiring a majority vote of those present and voting.
Impact
HB 319 amends R.S. 24:972 governing the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, altering who may serve, who may appoint or designate members, and how the commission may act. It repeals three membership provisions, updates organizational references, and adds a statutory quorum and voting requirement. The practical effect is to streamline commission governance and clarify participation rules for the commission and the organizations represented on it.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill, with the House passing HB 319 unanimously 94-0. No committee transcript is available, but the final vote suggests the measure was broadly viewed as a routine administrative update rather than a controversial policy change. The bill was ultimately signed by the Governor as Act 427.
Contention
There is little evidence of significant opposition in the available record. The only potentially notable policy choice is the removal of the Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations seat and the elimination of the flexible additional-member provision for civic education expertise, which may have narrowed outside representation on the commission. However, the unanimous House vote indicates that any such concerns did not generate visible controversy during floor consideration.
Provides relative to the boards of commissioners for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank
Transfers powers and duties of the Nursing Supply and Demand Council and the Simulation Medical Training and Education Council to the Louisiana Health Works Commission
Commends and recognizes Film Louisiana for its contributions to economic development and designates April 15, 2026, as Film Louisiana Day at the Louisiana State Capitol
Requests the health profession licensing boards to work with the commissioner of administration to identify funds from their cash and cash equivalent year-end balances that can be transferred into the state general fund.