Along with the conclusion of the state legislative session on June 6, several bills were introduced that could affect students and residents around Baton Rouge. 

LSU given permission to increase fees — HB 671, Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge

Of the eight bills proposed on the higher-education front, only one passed: Rep. Franklin Foil’s HB 671. The bill allows the University to implement a “building use” fee on students, which would charge tuition and fees for distance education programs where out-of-state students can still take online classes at the University. The Univeristy’s School of Dentistry will also face fee increases as well as digital media graduate students.

Bayou Country Superfest granted $200,000 in state budget — HB 1, Rep. James R. Fannin

Despite the concert’s continued success, the popular country music festival was granted $200,000, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. The concert attracts 70,000 people annually and will celebrate its fifth anniversary this coming year. 

Education budget gets $69 million boost — HB 1, Rep. James R. Fannin

The state’s education budget received a major boom in the form of a $69 million increase for elementary schools and high schools. Over half of the increase will go to increasing teacher salaries. The pay raises will not be dependent on Compass, a teacher evaluation program. The increase comes after a four-year drought in education funding, which has left schools across the state desperate for more funds.

No change to film tax credit program

Louisiana has become known as the “Hollywood of the South,” mainly because the state provides massive tax benefits to studios who choose to film in Louisiana. The tax credits have cost Louisiana more than $1 billion in revenue, according to PAR. The tax credit was left in the same form, despite a report from the Department of Economic Development recommending otherwise.

HB 103, Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans

The bill would reduce the jail time or fines imposed on someone convicted of simple marijuana possession. Speaking on the House floor Wednesday, Badon proposed the bill would save the state $2.2 million in incarceration costs in 2014 alone.