HB 749 authorizes Louisiana’s Tuition Trust Authority to hire a private program manager to administer three existing savings programs: ABLE (for people with disabilities), START (for college savings), and START K12 (for K-12 education). It allows the authority to contract with this manager for account management and investment of funds after December 31, 2026, or when the contract is signed - whichever comes later. Until that date, the state continues managing interest rates, investments, and fund transfers under current rules. The bill updates statutes to formalize this transition and requires coordination with the state treasurer and legislative leaders. This change affects how Louisiana’s education savings programs operate, shifting administrative control to a contracted provider while maintaining existing program structures.
SB 398 establishes new regulations for manufactured and modular housing in Louisiana. It creates a Residential Contractors Subcommittee to oversee licensing, sets minimum installation standards, and defines key terms like "manufactured home" (built to federal HUD safety standards) and "modular home" (built to local building codes). The bill affects manufacturers, developers, residential contractors, and homeowners by requiring licenses, warranties, and adherence to safety rules for factory-built homes. It repeals outdated sections of law and clarifies enforcement by municipalities and the fire marshal.
HB 867 changes how the chief of police is selected in the town of Fordoche, Louisiana. It requires the mayor to appoint the chief (with majority approval from the town's board of aldermen), replacing the previous system where the position was elected by voters. The appointed chief serves the same term as the mayor and aldermen, reports directly to the mayor, and has specific duties and qualifications set by the aldermen through an ordinance. The bill does not affect current officeholders until their term ends or the position becomes vacant.
HB 772 updates Louisiana's bail procedures by requiring defendants and bail sureties (including bail companies) to provide accurate mailing addresses and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers on bail documents. It mandates that courts send arrest warrant notices to defendants, bail agents, and sureties within 30 days of a missed court appearance, using the addresses provided under the new rules. The bill also sets a 60-day deadline for sending notice to commercial sureties, after which they are released from bail obligations. These changes, found in Articles 329 and 333 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, aim to ensure proper notice delivery while clarifying procedural requirements for bail forfeiture cases.
HB 256 clarifies that school employees, including those in charter schools, must follow existing mandatory reporter laws. It directly affects teachers, staff, and other school employees who are already required to report suspected child abuse under Louisiana law. The bill amends two statutes to ensure school employees comply with training and reporting requirements previously mandated for child care providers, removing any ambiguity about charter schools being exempt. This creates a consistent policy requiring all school employees to complete Department of Children and Family Services training and report suspected abuse.
HB 433 renames the "Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce" to "Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership" and updates its role in appointing members to boards governing six East Baton Rouge Parish economic development districts (including Downtown, Inner City, Florida Boulevard, and Plank Road districts). The bill requires the Chamber to submit nominee lists for specific board seats, such as one appointment to the Downtown Development District board and one to the Plank Road Business District board. It also formally defines this renamed entity as a "regional economic development organization" in Louisiana law, affecting how these districts are governed. The changes apply directly to the governance structures of these economic development entities and their board appointments.
HB 833 creates the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force in Louisiana to study and recommend improvements to services for sexual assault survivors. The task force, composed of members from the attorney general's office, sheriffs' association, state legislators, and district attorneys, will evaluate needs like counseling, school/work accommodations, and mandatory training for schools/hospitals/law enforcement. It must submit a report with specific recommendations to the governor and legislature by February 1, 2027, after which the task force will terminate. This bill does not change existing laws but sets up a process to inform future legislation.
HB 308 requires state-owned stadium facilities in Louisiana (like the Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Tiger Stadium) to accept cash for in-person purchases of goods or services when other payment methods are accepted. It mandates that operators must allow cash transactions without fees or extra conditions, and permits using cash-to-card kiosks on-site. Exceptions include online transactions, suspected counterfeit cash, large bills ($20+), single transactions over $5,000, and parking. The law applies to all qualifying in-person transactions starting July 1, 2027.
SB 367 creates Louisiana's Watershed Conservation Fund to support restoration of lands and watersheds damaged by sand and stone mining. The fund is financed by remaining severance tax revenues from these mining operations after other required allocations (like coastal protection funds). It directly affects eligible watershed management entities that meet specific criteria, such as having statutory floodplain management authority and a governing board with parish representation and relevant expertise. Funds will be used for reclaiming abandoned mining sites, reducing flood risks in vulnerable areas, and improving water quality in impaired watersheds. The secretary of the department must annually report fund administration to relevant legislative committees.
HB 656 establishes a pilot program to provide structured programming to specific inmates in Louisiana. It directly affects juvenile offenders and inmates held in parish jails or prisons under the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). The program must include rehabilitation services (education/vocational training), mental health support, and suicide prevention initiatives. Programming will be delivered in-person or via video for accessibility, with DPS&C required to create implementing rules. This bill focuses on expanding access to support services within correctional facilities.
HB 622 modifies Louisiana law to strengthen confidentiality around criminal history records used in employment background checks. It requires employers to obtain their own criminal history checks (via state and federal systems) and prohibits sharing these records with other employers or individuals without the applicant’s written consent or a court order. Employers must destroy these records one year after an employee’s termination, except when an applicant gives written permission for a health provider to share the check. The bill also ensures compliance with federal regulations like the FBI’s criminal justice information policies, without creating new penalties or changing criminal law.
HB 271 creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education to evaluate and recommend improvements for K-8 foundational literacy and numeracy programs, replacing the dissolved Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission. The new commission, composed of diverse stakeholders including educators, parents, state officials, and experts, will research education policies, analyze data, and develop evidence-based recommendations for early education practices. It must submit annual reports to the governor, legislature, and education boards, with the state Department of Education providing staff support and transferring the old commission's records. The bill directly affects Louisiana's K-8 education system by establishing a permanent advisory body focused on early skill development.
