SB 251 establishes the "Louisiana Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026" to safeguard critical infrastructure - including gas/oil systems, water delivery, telecommunications, power grids, emergency services, and transportation systems - from foreign adversaries. The bill prohibits companies and government entities from entering agreements that allow foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) to access or control critical infrastructure, and bans the use of adversary cameras and laser sensors in Louisiana transportation systems. Companies must certify their access, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, store data outside foreign adversary countries, and report cyber incidents to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, with exceptions only for unavoidable needs approved by that office. This directly affects businesses and government agencies operating critical infrastructure in Louisiana.
SB 279 updates Louisiana law to allow state-chartered banks and their holding companies to issue shares without physical certificates, using electronic systems like book-entry records. It requires a bank's board of directors to approve this transition via majority vote and clarifies that shareholder rights remain unchanged regardless of certificate status. The bill specifically amends existing statutes (R.S. 6:255, 12:1-625) to apply these provisions to financial institutions, aligning them with modern electronic share management practices. It does not create new financial products or alter shareholder obligations. This procedural change directly affects Louisiana state-chartered banks and their holding companies.
SB 295 requires all health insurance plans sold in Louisiana to cover medically necessary treatments for people with acquired brain injuries (ABIs), such as stroke or trauma survivors. It prohibits lifetime or unreasonable annual limits on treatment days/sessions, ensures ABI care isn’t subject to higher deductibles/copays than other benefits, and bans coverage denials based solely on treatment location (e.g., home vs. facility) if clinically appropriate. The bill defines covered services to include cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral therapy, and community reintegration support, and mandates peer-reviewed appeals for denied claims. The bill is pending in the Insurance Committee after being prefilled in February 2026.
SB 300 updates Louisiana's procurement code specifically for information technology (IT) systems, services, and related contracts. It establishes new definitions (like "Invitation to negotiate" for IT procurement) and sets rules for rental contracts (max 12-month renewals without bidding, price limits), multiyear IT contracts (requiring written approval for over 3 years), and master agreements (needing procurement team review). The bill directly affects state agencies and IT vendors by clarifying how IT procurement must be conducted, including requiring procurement support team reviews for certain contracts. It does not change overall procurement law but specifies IT procurement procedures to supersede conflicting statutes for IT-related purchases.
SB 326 updates Louisiana's licensing definitions and requirements for contractors by amending multiple sections of state law related to the State Licensing Board for Contractors. The bill clarifies key terms like "contractor" (including commercial, residential, and home improvement categories), defines "project value" to include all labor and material costs, and sets specific thresholds: $50,000 for commercial projects, $7,500 for residential improvements or mold remediation. It also refines the role of "home improvement contractors" (for projects $7,500-$50,000) and excludes certain equipment-related work from licensing requirements. The bill focuses on standardizing terminology and scope of work for licensing enforcement, directly affecting contractors who perform construction, repairs, or installations above these financial thresholds.
This bill amends Louisiana election laws to clarify procedures for voters without picture identification. It requires election commissioners to offer voters without photo ID an affidavit form to complete (including date of birth and mother's maiden name) and explains acceptable alternative identification documents, such as birth certificates, utility bills, or government-issued documents. Commissioners must also follow specific steps for handling voter affidavits and related evidence after voting ends, including placing them in a sealed "Registrar of Voters" envelope. The bill directly affects voters who lack photo ID and election staff responsible for verifying voter identity during elections.
SB 341 creates the Louisiana Churches and Nonprofit Religious Organizations Self-Insured Fund, allowing eligible churches and nonprofits to form a shared insurance pool instead of purchasing private property insurance. It directly affects Louisiana religious organizations by enabling them to cover building damage, contents, liability, wind/hail, and loss of use through this collective fund. Key provisions require members to maintain positive net worth and financial solvency, define "property commercial coverage" to include specific protections, and direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to update related terminology. The bill establishes regulatory rules for the fund's operation under state oversight.
SB 333 strengthens the role of caregivers (including relatives, foster parents, or nonrelatives with physical custody) in Louisiana child welfare court cases. It requires courts to notify caregivers of hearings, consider their input on child safety, placement stability, and attachment, and grant "limited participatory status" if they've provided care for six months. This status allows caregivers to testify about permanency needs but doesn't make them legal parties. The bill also clarifies that completing case services doesn't automatically lead to reunification unless underlying risks to the child are eliminated.
SB 312 changes how Louisiana public school employees (including teachers) pay union dues or fees. It requires employers to immediately stop deductions when an employee requests to stop, and mandates annual written notifications to employees about their right to withdraw from union membership without penalty. The bill also requires unions to maintain separate funds for political activities (with clear voluntary contribution rules) and prohibits using regular dues for political purposes. These provisions apply to all public school employees but exclude law enforcement and firefighters.
HB 364 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections to run public awareness campaigns about the dangers and legal penalties of illegally discharging firearms into the air in public areas where it is prohibited. The campaign, using radio, TV, social media, brochures, and hotlines, must be conducted annually from May 15-July 5 and November 15-January 1. Municipal police departments must help distribute these materials to the public. The bill does not create new penalties but mandates public education using existing department funds, targeting residents and visitors in areas where firearm discharges are banned.
HB 456 amends Louisiana's workers' compensation laws to clarify the requirements for filing claims and disputing benefits. It specifies that a claim petition must include the parties' names, injury details, specific benefits sought, and a request for relief. Employers may only file a disputed claim against an employee, dependent, or beneficiary if alleging fraud under R.S. 23:1208 or appealing a medical director's decision under R.S. 23:1203.1(K). The bill directly affects workers filing claims and employers disputing those claims, streamlining the process while limiting disputes to specific legal grounds.
HB 430, known as the "MJ 911 Act," mandates that Lafayette Parish employers provide lifelong health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and children (including step- or adopted children) of law enforcement officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty. Specifically, it requires employers to pay for health insurance for surviving spouses for life and for children until age 18 (or until 23 if enrolled in school or disabled). The law applies retroactively to January 1, 2017, for all qualifying families and ensures coverage matches what active members receive. It does not require families to accept the coverage, allowing them to decline it if desired.
