Louisiana Bills

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 491: PAROLE: Provides for parole eligibility (OR SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 491 modifies Louisiana's parole eligibility rules for individuals serving life sentences. It requires life-sentence inmates to meet eight specific conditions to qualify for parole consideration, including serving at least 25 years, having no violent or sex offense convictions, completing mandatory programming (100+ hours), substance abuse treatment if applicable, educational/job training, a low-risk assessment, and a reentry program. The bill directly affects life-sentence inmates who meet all these criteria, regardless of whether they were convicted as juveniles or adults. It does not change sentencing but sets clear, measurable requirements for parole eligibility. The bill is currently in early legislative review stages.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 323: CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: Provides relative to notification and reporting procedures pertaining to inmate deaths (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 323 requires Louisiana correctional facilities to notify an inmate's immediate family within 12 hours of death (excluding overnight hours), provide a written condolence letter, and submit a detailed report within 30 days. The report must include demographics (age, race, gender), cause of death, circumstances, and investigation details, and be made publicly available online. The Louisiana Department of Health collects annual data on inmate deaths for analysis, and the Department of Public Safety must publish a facility-level public report by December 31st. Violations of these requirements carry penalties of up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 543: TAX EXEMPTIONS/HOMESTEAD: Provides relative to the homestead exemption (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

HB 543 would increase the homestead property tax exemption in Louisiana from $5,000 to $7,500 of assessed value for qualifying homeowners, effective January 1, 2027, if a related constitutional amendment passes in a statewide election. It also provides residential lessees with a tax credit equal to the tax on $7,500 of assessed value (capped at their actual tax bill), but only if they do not qualify for the homestead exemption themselves. The bill directly affects homeowners who claim homestead status and residential renters in Louisiana. The exemption amount change applies statewide, with historical adjustments for Orleans Parish noted in the text. The bill’s implementation is contingent on voter approval of a constitutional amendment, as specified in Section 2.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 490: PUBLIC CONTRACTS: Provides limited exemptions from payment under contract requirements for public entities in certain circumstances (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 490 modifies Louisiana's public contract payment rules to provide limited exemptions for public entities (like cities, parishes, or state agencies) when delays occur due to funding issues or emergencies. It requires public entities to pay contractors within five days of receiving funds from another government entity (e.g., federal grants), pauses payment deadlines during declared emergencies (like natural disasters), and mandates written notices from contractors about missed payment deadlines. The bill ensures contractors still receive interest and attorney fees if payments are delayed without reasonable cause after these exemptions. It directly affects public entities managing contracts and contractors working on public projects funded by multiple government sources.

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 395: SCHOOLS: Requires the state Department of Education to create a program to recruit, hire, and retain mental health professionals (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 395 requires Louisiana's Department of Education to create a program recruiting, hiring, and retaining mental health professionals - including counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and behavioral health specialists - in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill mandates the department to aim for a ratio of one mental health professional per 250 students across all public schools. Implementation depends on future legislative funding, as Section 2 states the program becomes effective only after a specific appropriation is approved. This directly affects Louisiana's public schools and their ability to support student mental health needs through staff expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 925: SPEECH/PATH/AUDIO: Provides relative to the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology

HB 925 clarifies the scope of practice for audiologists in Louisiana by updating definitions and adding specific permissions and prohibitions. It permits audiologists to order certain diagnostic tests (like blood work, cultures, and non-radiographic in-office ear tests) related to auditory or vestibular conditions, and to order radiographic imaging for those conditions. However, it explicitly prohibits audiologists from performing surgeries (including laser, scalpel, or cochlear implant procedures) or interpreting diagnostic tests like blood work or radiographs for diagnosis. The bill directly affects licensed audiologists practicing in Louisiana by defining their permitted clinical activities and boundaries. This is a procedural clarification to standardize professional practice standards, not a new service or funding measure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 770: FISHING/OYSTERS: Decreases the term of oyster leases on state water bottoms

HB 770 reduces the maximum term for oyster leases on Louisiana state waters from 15 years to a shorter duration. It applies only to new leases and renewals executed after the law's effective date, not to existing leases. Leaseholders would need to renew their leases more frequently under this change. The bill maintains renewal rights but shortens each lease period, with resurvey requirements for lease configuration changes.

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 935: TOPS: Provides for TOPS awards to students enrolled in graduate medical sciences at certain institutions (OR +$45,600 GF EX See Note)

HB 935 amends Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program to allow students who complete undergraduate degrees early (in under eight semesters) to continue receiving full scholarship benefits for graduate medical sciences programs. It applies only to nonpublic colleges or universities that meet four specific criteria: offering graduate medical sciences programs, being physically collocated with a public university since 2020, billing tuition through that public institution, and not being part of Louisiana's independent colleges association. Students must maintain academic standards to retain the award. This policy change expands TOPS coverage to graduate medical education at qualifying institutions without altering the core scholarship structure.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 365: VOTERS/VOTING: Creates the Louisiana Voting Rights Act. (gov sig) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 365 creates Louisiana's Voting Rights Act, prohibiting political subdivisions (like parishes, municipalities, and school districts) and state agencies from implementing election policies that suppress voting or dilute the voting power of protected classes (defined as racial, ethnic, or language minorities). The bill establishes the Louisiana Voting Rights Commission to enforce these prohibitions, requiring election policies to avoid creating disparities in voter access or participation for minority groups. Key provisions include banning policies that intentionally or unintentionally reduce minority voters' ability to participate or elect preferred candidates, with exceptions only if a policy is necessary for a compelling government interest and no less discriminatory alternative exists. The law applies to all election-related actions, from registration to ballot counting, and sets clear standards for evaluating potential violations.

Royce Duplessis (D) · 28 co-sponsors

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 440: TAX EXEMPTIONS/HOMESTEAD: (Constitutional Amendment) Authorizes a parish governing authority to increase the amount of the homestead exemption (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

HB 440 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Louisiana parishes to increase the homestead property tax exemption from $7,500 to a maximum of $12,500 per home. It directly affects homeowners in parishes that choose to approve such increases through their local governing authorities. The bill would maintain existing exemptions for veterans (with disability ratings of 50%+) and first responders (who get an additional $2,500 exemption), while enabling parishes to add up to $5,000 more to the standard homestead exemption. The change requires voter approval and would take effect for 2027 property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 817: PROPERTY/IMMOVABLE: Establishes the Louisiana Homeowner Bill of Rights

HB 817 establishes Louisiana's Homeowner Bill of Rights, requiring all homeowners associations (HOAs) in planned communities to update their rules and operations by January 2027. It mandates online portals for members to access financial records, meeting notices, and governing documents; shifts board control from developers to homeowners after 90% of parcels are sold; and limits annual dues increases to 20% without member approval. The bill also restricts fines to $100 per violation (max $2,500 for ongoing issues), prohibits liens for fines, and requires transparent budget reporting with quarterly updates. These changes aim to enhance HOA accountability and member rights while balancing association governance under Louisiana law.

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 439: PAROLE: Provides relative to parole ineligibility (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 439 would restrict parole eligibility for individuals convicted of certain crimes in Louisiana who are sentenced on or after August 1, 2024. It states that such individuals generally cannot be considered for parole unless they meet specific criteria outlined in existing law (R.S. 15:574.4(B)(2), (D) through (K)). The bill directly affects people sentenced for qualifying offenses after the effective date, limiting their path to early release. It does not change current parole rules for offenses committed before August 2024. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results