Louisiana’s 2014 legislative session will kick into full force at noon today, beginning a series of discussions on the most important issues facing the state. Higher education will be a major player in the debates, with legislators advocating for various TOPS reforms and higher education revamps. Many social issues are up on the docket as well, as LGBT and marijuana legislation take center stage in several bills. The Daily Reveille presents a brief summary of some of the key legislation that could affect the lives of university students across the state.   
Higher Education – Tuition Autonomy
SB 124

• Authored by Sen. Ben Nevers, D- District 12
• This constitutional amendment would give postsecondary education management boards the freedom to set their own tuition rates.
• Currently, Louisiana mandates both the state House and Senate approve tuition changes.
• University President F. King Alexander has pushed tuition autonomy to help save money and separate the University from the state’s monetary constrictions.
• “There is no other place for our institutions to go for support. There is no state general fund revenue,” –Board of Regents Chairman W. Clinton Rasberry

Higher Education – Out-of-state tuition waivers
HB 561

• Authored by Rep. Patrick O. Jefferson, D- District 11
• This law would allow postsecondary education management boards to establish financial hardship standards for waving out-of-state tuition or mandatory fee increases.
• The waiver criteria would be made available to all students before they decide on a school.
• Some students question where the schools will get the funds to wave the fees.
• “I don’t want my tuition to go up any more,” Linsey Roach, political science sophomore

Higher Education – Common application for Louisiana public universities
SB 62

• Authored by Sen. Conrad Appel, R-District 9
• This bill would establish a common application for all public colleges and universities in Louisiana.
• Appel said the idea stemmed from his son’s college application process last year and the multiple applications he had to fill out.
• “The idea was to make it easier on everyone,” Appel said.
• Because schools have their separate application fee costs, he said the fees will still be present, but at least the paperwork process would be streamlined.

Abortion
HB 388

• Authored by Rep. Katrina Jackson, D – District 16
• Mandates that abortion providers have admitting privileges within 30 miles of a hospital, in case abortion patients need to receive emergency medical care should complications occur during the procedure.
• Requires doctors who perform more than five abortions per year to maintain proper licensing.
• Current state law allows physicians to perform 60 abortions per year before undergoing health and safety inspections.

LGBT
HB 887
Authored by Rep. Karen Gaudet St. Germaine, D – District 60 and House Speaker Pro Tempore Walt Leger, D – District 91
Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment
HB 12

• Authored by Rep. Patricia Smith, D – District 67
• Would eliminate the state’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy laws
• Smith’s legislation failed to receive an endorsement from Baton Rouge’s Metro Council

Marijuana
HB 14

• Authored by Rep. Austin Badon, Jr., D – District 100
• Decreases fines and jail time for marijuana possession.
• Similar legislation authored last year by Badon failed in the final days of 2013’s legislative session.

Guns
HB 494

• Authored by Rep. Barry Ivey, R – District 65
• Would allow the carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit or license
• A proposed constitutional amendment