SB 382 repeals Louisiana's existing legal framework for the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, removing provisions that governed its membership, governor appointments, Senate confirmation, reporting duties, and liability protections. This bill eliminates the council as a formal entity within the state's workers' compensation system. The legislation does not create new policy but removes an established advisory body. The bill was prefilled and referred to the Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations on February 27, 2026.
SB 4 changes Louisiana's water fluoridation policy by ending the state mandate for fluoridation in public water systems. Instead, it requires local voter approval via election for any system to fluoridate, with exceptions for systems already meeting natural fluoride levels. This directly affects public water systems serving over 5,000 connections that currently fluoridate or need to adjust fluoride levels. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, replacing the previous requirement with a local decision process.
HB 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Louisiana applies nonrecurring state funds to retirement system debts. Currently, 25% of such funds must be used first on the oldest retirement system liabilities; this bill would remove that requirement, allowing funds to be applied to any unfunded retirement debts instead. It directly affects Louisiana’s state retirement systems by altering how they receive and use one-time state funds. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election and maintains existing rules that these funds cannot cover cost-of-living increases. If passed, it would change the funding mechanism for retirement system liabilities without altering the 25% allocation requirement.
This bill extends surviving spouse benefits to reserve and auxiliary law enforcement officers in Louisiana who die while on duty. It modifies existing law to include these officers under the same eligibility rules as commissioned officers, specifically when they die while: (1) traveling to or from a public safety emergency, or (2) commuting between their residence and work area in a law enforcement vehicle provided by their agency. The policy change directly affects the spouses of reserve and auxiliary officers who qualify under these two scenarios. It expands access to financial security payments previously limited to commissioned officers.
HB 45 amends Louisiana's Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System to adjust retirement benefit calculations and Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) rules. It increases the retirement benefit rate from 3% to 3.333% of average final salary for service on or after January 1, 2027, for both hazardous and non-hazardous duty subplans. The bill also allows members to purchase higher accrual rates for past service (at their own cost) and requires those electing DROP after July 2026 to waive constitutional guarantees about guaranteed returns or investment methods. This affects current and future municipal police officers in Louisiana participating in this retirement system.
HB 54 creates alternatives to revoking parole for violations by allowing parolees to be placed in specific treatment programs instead of immediate jail time. It directly affects parolees who violate conditions but do not pose a high risk, offering them options like community rehabilitation centers, substance abuse treatment, mental health programs, or certified treatment programs. The bill limits these program placements to a maximum of one year (without good time credit) and ensures they don't extend the parole term beyond its original end date. If a program requests removal due to violations, parole is revoked with credit for time served in the program. This replaces the previous six-month limit with a one-year maximum under the new provision.
HB 59 requires East Baton Rouge Parish and its cities to fund specific expenses for the 19th Judicial District Court's public defender office, which serves people who cannot afford legal representation. The bill mandates that local governments cover salaries for staff (including public defenders, clerks, and investigators) and operational costs like supplies, travel, and equipment. Funding responsibility is shared proportionally between the parish and individual cities, as determined by their governing authorities. This complements existing state funding and directly affects the office's ability to provide indigent defense services in East Baton Rouge Parish.
This bill establishes a temporary task force to investigate the operations, costs, and governance of municipal electric utilities that participate in the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority. The group, which includes representatives from the authority, the Public Service Commission, the legislative auditor, and local utility systems, will examine issues such as electricity rates, fuel charges, infrastructure needs, and billing transparency. Members of the task force will meet starting in September 2026 to review these topics and compare them with other utility providers. By February 2027, the group must submit a written report with its findings and recommendations to state legislative committees and the library. The task force members serve without pay and must follow standard rules for open meetings and public records.
This bill establishes the Task Force on Secure Firearm Storage to study how to prevent accidental shootings involving children aged thirteen and younger in Louisiana. The task force will examine methods for safely storing firearms at home and may propose new laws that include incentives or penalties for secure storage practices. The committee is composed of representatives from law enforcement, gun retailers, gun owners, and advocacy groups, and it must submit its findings to the legislature by March 1, 2027.
This resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Education to add the contact details of accrediting organizations to the School and Center Finder website. Specifically, it targets nonpublic schools that run prekindergarten programs and are not currently monitored by the state. The goal is to help parents identify which external standards these schools follow, allowing families to make more informed decisions about their children's education. This request does not change any laws or regulations but instead seeks to improve the transparency of information available to the public.
This resolution directs the Louisiana Economic Development agency to submit a detailed report to the state House of Representatives by January 1, 2027. The report must outline all available funds and expenditures for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, explain which projects each fund can support, and clarify if multiple funds can be combined for the same initiatives. Additionally, the agency must include recommendations for new programs aimed at addressing food insecurity zones and estimate the potential economic impact of these efforts. This measure is designed to increase legislative transparency regarding how state resources are allocated for economic growth and development.
This bill is a procedural resolution that asks the Senate to form a five-member committee to work with a similar House committee. The purpose of this joint committee is to formally inform the Governor that the Louisiana Legislature has finished its work and is prepared to end its session. By adopting this resolution, the Senate sets the stage for the official notification required to conclude the legislative year.
