Merit Institute Merit

The Louisiana Merit-Based Credentialing Act (LA-ACSA)

Louisiana state companion to ACSA. Extends the Louisiana Workforce Commission framework, universal occupational-licensure recognition under La. R.S. 37, and La. R.S. 47 income-tax credit infrastructure.

THE LOUISIANA MERIT-BASED CREDENTIALING ACT (LA-ACSA)

Vehicle: State passage. Louisiana Legislature, regular session. Primary referral to House Commerce / Ways and Means and Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs / Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Louisiana Merit-Based Credentialing Act (LA-ACSA).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The Legislature finds that Louisiana enacted universal occupational-licensure recognition under La. R.S. 37:3650.1 et seq. (Act 233, 2020); that the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) operates workforce services under La. R.S. 23:1-2021 framework; that the Louisiana Board of Regents administers postsecondary coordination under La. R.S. 17:3128 et seq.; that the Louisiana Community and Technical College System operates under La. R.S. 17:1871 et seq.; that La. R.S. 47 provides income-tax credits including the research and development tax credit under Sec. 47:6015; and that Louisiana operates Jump Start graduation pathways and TOPS scholarships under La. R.S. 17:5000 et seq. This Act extends these frameworks.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH LOUISIANA LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

  1. (a) “Louisiana Recognized Merit Credential” or “LARMC” means a competency-based credential designated by the Commissioner of Higher Education in coordination with LWC under Sec. 201.
  2. (b) “Federal FRAC” means a Federally Recognized Alternative Credential under Section 202 of the federal ACSA.
  3. (c) “LWC industry credential” means a credential recognized by LWC for workforce-training purposes.
  4. (d) “Covered State licensing authority” means an agency issuing an occupational license under La. R.S. 37.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing Louisiana Law

  1. (a) Consistent with:
  • La. R.S. 37:3650.1 et seq. (universal recognition); Title 37 generally.
  • La. R.S. 17:3128 et seq. (Board of Regents).
  • La. R.S. 17:1871 et seq. (LCTCS).
  • La. R.S. 23 (LWC; workforce development).
  • La. R.S. 47 (taxation) and Sec. 47:6015 (R&D credit).
  • La. R.S. 17:5000 et seq. (TOPS).
  • La. R.S. 42 (state officers and employees); La. R.S. 36 (state government organization).

TITLE II — LOUISIANA RECOGNIZED MERIT CREDENTIALS

Sec. 201. Designation Authority

  1. (a) The Commissioner of Higher Education, in coordination with LWC and LCTCS, shall maintain a Louisiana Recognized Merit Credentials registry (“LARMC Registry”) in machine-readable form, updated at least annually, crosswalked to Federal FRAC.

Sec. 202. Degree-Optional State Employment

  1. (a) La. R.S. 42 (state officers and employees) shall be applied so that a LARMC-holder satisfies any position qualification stated in terms of a college degree, unless expressly required by Louisiana statute.

TITLE III — TAX INCENTIVE FOR SKILLS-BASED HIRING

Sec. 301. Louisiana Skills-Based Hiring Income-Tax Credit

  1. (a) A new credit is added to La. R.S. 47 equal to a percentage of qualified first-year wages paid to a Louisiana-domiciled employee whose qualifying pathway is a LARMC or Federal FRAC.
  2. (b) Coordinated with federal IRC Sec. 45AA; aggregate cap in the appropriations act.
  3. (c) Louisiana Department of Revenue administers consistent with Sec. 47:6015 mechanics.

TITLE IV — OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE PORTABILITY

Sec. 401. Licensure by Demonstrated Competency

  1. (a) A covered State licensing authority shall provide a demonstrated-competency pathway accepting a LARMC, Federal FRAC, or examination-plus-supervised-experience.

Sec. 402. Interstate Recognition for Federal-Fund Recipients

  1. (a) A covered State licensing authority receiving Federal workforce funds under 29 U.S.C. Sec. 3161 et seq. shall recognize out-of-state holders, consistent with Section 401 of the federal ACSA and La. R.S. 37:3650.1 et seq.

TITLE V — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 502. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect August 1 of the year following enactment, except that Sec. 301 shall apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1 of that year.

Canonical federal version: ACSA. Other Louisiana bills: LA-MEWRA, LA-GT&P, LA-AI-Workforce.