Louisiana Bills

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 434: SCHOOLS/BUS OPERATORS: Grants certain powers, duties, and responsibilities relative to a school bus operator's probationary term of employment to the superintendent instead of the school board

HB 434 changes Louisiana's rules for school bus operators during their three-year probationary period. It shifts the authority to dismiss or discharge these operators from the school board to the superintendent, who must provide written reasons and allow the operator seven days to respond. The bill also maintains existing requirements for automatic dismissal if an operator is convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DUI), regardless of when the offense occurred. This directly affects school bus operators in probationary employment across Louisiana's public school systems.

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 380: SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Creates the Real Timbers Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish. (gov sig)

SB 380 creates the Real Timbers Crime Prevention and Improvement District in a specific area of Orleans Parish bounded by Iowa Street, Amazon Street, Delaware Street, Memorial Park Drive, Kansas Street, and Hudson Street. The district, governed by a seven-member board appointed from the Real Timbers Homeowners Association and local residents, will collect an annual parcel fee (capped at $315 per property) approved by voters to fund security patrols, improved lighting, signage, and beautification projects. The fee is collected like property taxes and must be renewed via voter approval every five years. This district is explicitly designed to supplement, not replace, services provided by the New Orleans Police Department.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 892: DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Creates the West End Economic Development District in the parishes of Jefferson and Orleans

HB 892 creates the West End Economic Development District in Jefferson and Orleans parishes, specifically covering three defined parcels: a parking lot area in New Orleans, adjacent state-owned land in Jefferson Parish, and related water bottom leases. The district, established as a local government entity, aims to boost economic development, tourism, and job creation through commercial projects and infrastructure. It will be governed by a five-member board appointed by Jefferson Parish's District 5 representative, New Orleans' District A representative, and two others. The bill outlines the district’s boundaries, purpose, governance structure, and funding mechanisms without proposing new taxes or regulations.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 822: DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Provides relative to nonprofit entities that appoint members to the board of commissioners of certain economic development districts

HB 822 requires nonprofit entities that appoint members to economic development district boards in Louisiana cities with over 300,000 residents to maintain good standing with the Secretary of State. If a nonprofit falls out of good standing (e.g., fails to file required state reports), it loses its authority to appoint board members. This directly affects nonprofits currently serving on these boards in large municipalities like New Orleans. The bill enforces a straightforward administrative requirement to ensure appointing entities comply with state filing obligations.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 637: ENERGY/OIL & GAS: Provides for oilfield site restoration fees (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD RV See Note)

HB 637 adjusts oilfield site restoration fees for certain low-production wells in Louisiana. It sets reduced fees at 50% for oil from incapable wells, 25% for oil from stripper wells, 40% for gas from low-pressure wells, and 17.5% for gas from incapable gas wells - proportionally aligning with existing reduced severance tax rates. The bill directly affects oil and gas producers operating these specific well types, as defined under Louisiana law (R.S. 47:633). The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 692: PUBLIC CONTRACTS: Provides relative to local government subdivisions entering into an agreement with group purchasing organizations

HB 692 allows Louisiana local governments (like cities, parishes, and school boards) to partner with approved group purchasing organizations (GPOs) to buy materials, equipment, and supplies. The bill requires GPOs to provide a valid 3-month price list for items they offer, which counts as a binding bid during that period. Local governments must use this method only if GPO prices are lower than state contract rates or if no state contract exists for those items. The agreement itself is public, but GPO price lists remain private until a specific purchase is made.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 621: ENERGY/ALTERNATE: Requires recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure

HB 621 requires renewable energy facility owners in Louisiana to include recycling plans for decommissioned equipment (like solar panels or wind turbine parts) as part of their facility closure process. The bill mandates that owners pay all costs for decommissioning and recycling, with the Department of Environmental Quality determining what recycling is "practicable." It directly affects renewable energy providers operating in Louisiana, shifting financial responsibility for end-of-life infrastructure management from taxpayers to the industry. The bill does not create new funding or alter existing environmental standards, focusing solely on requiring recycling as a standard part of decommissioning.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 626: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to suicide prevention plans at colleges and universities

HB 626 requires Louisiana's public colleges and universities to post suicide hotline numbers (including 988) on their websites and on student ID cards. It mandates that institutions provide all new students with information about mental health services and suicide warning signs through interactive formats (like online modules), and ensure 24/7 access to trained mental health professionals via campus or remote support. The bill also requires institutions to collect and report anonymous, aggregated data on suicide risk assessments - including demographics and referrals - to mental health services. These provisions directly affect all public postsecondary institutions in Louisiana, aiming to improve student mental health resources and data tracking.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 555: BANKS/BANKING: Provides relative to elderly financial exploitation

HB 555 defines financial exploitation of vulnerable adults (such as elderly individuals) as scams, fraud, impersonation of officials, or deceptive schemes that cause them to transfer money to strangers. It requires banks to delay suspicious transactions for up to 15 business days, extendable to 25 days if a covered agency requests an extension. This gives time to investigate potential scams before funds are transferred, directly affecting banks and vulnerable adults targeted by financial fraud.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 670: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to wood pellet manufacturing (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 670 designates wood pellet manufacturing as a priority industry in Louisiana, targeting manufacturers that produce compressed biomass pellets from forestry residues for export or domestic use. The bill requires Louisiana Economic Development to create job incentives, workforce training programs, and prioritize wood pellet cargo at state ports while streamlining permitting for facilities. It directly affects wood pellet manufacturers, rural communities seeking new jobs, and the state's forestry sector by aiming to boost economic growth through international biomass exports. The law establishes clear regulatory pathways to support this industry without compromising environmental safeguards, as outlined in sections §955.1 and §955.2 of the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 722: MTR VEHICLE/DRIVER LIC: Provides with respect to the automatic reinstatement of a driver's license

HB 722 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety to automatically reinstate driver's licenses that were suspended, canceled, or revoked due to unpaid traffic fees or fines. Once a driver pays all outstanding fees and provides proof of payment, their license is automatically restored without needing additional steps or approvals. This change directly affects drivers who have had licenses suspended for financial reasons, removing the current requirement for manual review after payment. The bill modifies existing law to ensure reinstatement occurs immediately upon full payment and verification of fees.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 802: WATER/RESOURCES: Provides with respect to the management of watershed restoration (EN DECREASE GF RV See Note)

HB 802 establishes Louisiana's Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund to support the cleanup and long-term management of lands and watersheds damaged by sand and gravel mining operations, with priority for flood-prone areas. The fund is financed by 100% of sand and gravel severance tax revenues (after constitutional allocations) plus donations, and it can only provide grants to legally created watershed entities that manage flood risks and have local representation. These eligible groups must maintain approved master plans, have floodplain management authority, and include experts in water resources. The fund requires annual reports to natural resources committees detailing how money is spent. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Bill results