Budget & Taxes

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 248: ELECTED OFFICIALS/COMP: Provides for the establishment and powers, functions, and duties of the Compensation Commission (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 248 establishes a Compensation Commission to evaluate and set salaries for Louisiana elected officials, including judges, sheriffs, district attorneys, clerks of court, and members of the legislature. The 15-member commission, appointed by state associations and officials, must complete its first evaluation by 2026 and set new pay rates by January 15, 2037. Changes to compensation would take effect at the start of the next elected term, replacing current statutory rates. The bill creates a formal process for adjusting pay based on the commission’s recommendations, with all state agencies required to assist the commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes Compensation Commission to set elected officials' salaries, directly managing government spending within budget framework.85% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 916: CLERKS OF COURT: Provides for an additional filing fee for recordation of documents with the clerk of court (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 916 adds a $5 fee for recording certain legal documents (like property deeds) with Louisiana clerks of court, effective January 1, 2027. The fee is collected by clerks and sent monthly to the Court Modernization and Technology Fund, which funds court technology upgrades and integration with a statewide electronic filing system. This directly affects individuals and businesses filing documents with local courts, as they will pay the additional fee. The funds specifically support modernizing court technology and creating a unified digital filing platform across all Louisiana courts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $5 fee to fund court technology modernization, directly increasing revenue for government program funding.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $5 filing fee to fund court technology upgrades and statewide electronic filing system modernization, directly advancing court technology infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 558: TEACHERS/SALARY: Provides relative to public school teacher compensation (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 558, the "Teacher Pay Modernization Act," requires Louisiana school districts and charter schools to gradually increase teacher salaries to close the gap between their average pay and the Southern Regional Education Board's average. School districts must reduce their salary gap by 25% by 2027-2028, 50% by 2028-2029, 75% by 2029-2030, and fully align with the regional average by 2030-2031. The bill mandates annual reports tracking district salaries, statewide averages, and regional comparisons, and specifies that state funds allocated for this purpose must be used solely for permanent base salary increases - not benefits, bonuses, or operating costs. It directly affects all public school governing authorities (including charter schools) and requires them to adjust salary schedules to meet these phased targets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased school district funding for teacher salaries to close regional pay gap, directly advancing public education budget allocation per bill requirements.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates progressive teacher salary increases to close regional pay gap, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates progressive teacher salary increases to close regional pay gap, directly advancing worker compensation standards for public school employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 710: WATERWAYS: Provides for withdrawal of surface water from Lake Bistineau

HB 710 requires entities withdrawing surface water from Lake Bistineau to pay an annual fee of up to $1 million to fund aquatic weed control on the lake. The fee replaces prior reimbursement rules for water withdrawals, with funds deposited into a dedicated account for Lake Bistineau only. It applies to all surface water withdrawals from the lake, with a rate not exceeding 15 cents per thousand gallons for general use. All collected funds must be used solely for controlling weeds on Lake Bistineau, as specified in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes annual fee on water withdrawals to fund lake weed control, creating dedicated revenue stream for public service maintenance.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds dedicated to aquatic weed control on Lake Bistineau, directly supporting environmental management of the water body.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 602: TAX/SEVERANCE TAX: (Constitutional Amendment) Increases the maximum annual amount of severance tax revenues that may be remitted to parishes in which the associated severance occurs (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the maximum annual amount of severance tax revenues Louisiana parishes receive from mineral extraction. Starting July 2027, the cap begins at $3 million per parish, rising to $15 million annually by 2031, with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. It repeals an existing constitutional provision requiring higher payments under specific conditions. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases parish severance tax revenue cap from current limits to $15M annually by 2031, boosting local government funding through tax revenue distribution.95% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 345: RAILROADS: Provides with respect to the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 345 expands Louisiana's Class II and III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure projects at ports as eligible for funding. This change directly affects smaller railroads (Class II and III) that operate in or serve Louisiana ports, enabling them to apply for program funds to improve port rail connections. The bill adds a specific provision (R.S. 48:388.1(A)(2)(f)) allowing port rail projects to be included alongside other eligible improvements like track maintenance. These projects must align with Louisiana's Freight Mobility Plan and State Rail Plan to maintain efficient rail service. The program aims to enhance freight transportation efficiency at port facilities through targeted rail infrastructure upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state funding eligibility for port rail infrastructure projects, increasing budget allocation for rail infrastructure improvements under existing program.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands rail infrastructure funding to include port projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure through increased eligibility for funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Ports Rail

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 229: CURRICULA/COLLEGE DEGREE: Prohibits the use of public funds for certain postsecondary degree programs (OR DECREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 229 prohibits Louisiana public colleges and universities from using state funds for degree programs designated as "low-earning outcome programs" under federal law (20 U.S.C. 1087d(c)). This includes student financial aid, operational funding, and capital grants for affected programs, directly impacting institutions and students enrolled in those programs. The Board of Regents must annually review federal designations, update rules, and report on prohibited programs and fiscal impacts. An exception allows general studies programs if students concentrate in non-low-earning fields. The law takes effect before the summer 2027-2028 semester.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds specific college programs by prohibiting state funding for 'low-earning outcome' degrees, directly restricting budget allocation for targeted programs.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill prohibits state funding for designated 'low-earning outcome' degree programs, directly defunding specific higher education programs per federal criteria.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 767: WILDLIFE/FEES: Authorizes recreational alligator hunting license and lottery fees

HB 767 would create a lottery system for Louisiana residents seeking recreational alligator hunting permits. It requires a $50 nonrefundable entry fee for the lottery, with successful applicants receiving harvest tags at no additional cost (the fee may apply toward a $25 annual resident license). All revenue from lottery fees and auctions would be directed to the state Conservation Fund. This bill specifically affects Louisiana residents who wish to hunt alligators recreationally under a new permit system, pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $50 lottery fees to Conservation Fund, funding a state program via user fees rather than taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs lottery fees to Conservation Fund, funding wildlife management and conservation efforts per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 596: ENERGY/OIL & GAS WELLS: Establishes an inactive well fee assessment credit (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 596 creates a credit for oil and gas operators who plug inactive wells that are 10 years or older. Operators who properly plug and restore such wells (passing department inspection) can receive a $4.50 per foot credit, applied directly to reduce their existing inactive well fee obligation. This credit applies only to wells meeting the age and plugging requirements, with operators needing to formally apply to the department. The bill affects oil and gas companies responsible for inactive wells in Louisiana, offering a financial incentive to address legacy wells.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates fee credit reducing state revenue from oil/gas operators, weakening budget income by lowering existing fee obligations.85% confidence

Track

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 & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces fees for oil/gas producers, decreasing government revenue from these sources, weakening fiscal management under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyReduces fees for oil/gas producers on specific wells, directly lowering operational costs for energy production within Louisiana's oil sector.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces oilfield site restoration fees, decreasing funding for environmental cleanup and aligning with lower industry tax rates.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas