Budget & Taxes

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 324: JUDGES: Provides relative to judicial salaries (EN +$6,690,757 GF EX See Note)

HB 324 sets specific salary increases for Louisiana judges starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting justices of the Supreme Court, appellate and district court judges, and city/parish court judges. It provides immediate raises of $12,129 for Supreme Court justices, $11,431 for appellate judges, and $10,723 for district judges, with city/parish court increases matching district court percentages. Future increases of 2.7% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028 are contingent on annual approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board, pending sufficient funding. The 2026 adjustments are funded by judiciary reserves, while future increases may be suspended if funding is insufficient.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds judicial salary increases through state budget appropriations, directly increasing government spending on public sector compensation.95% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 521: TAX/AD VALOREM TAX: (Constitutional Amendment) Authorizes a taxing authority to levy a millage at a rate lower than the maximum authorized rate under certain circumstances (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)

HB 521 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's property tax system, allowing local taxing authorities (like parishes or municipalities) to adjust property tax rates to the maximum authorized rate from a prior reassessment without requiring new voter approval. The key mechanism permits these authorities to increase rates to the previous year's maximum level using a two-thirds vote of the governing body, after holding a public hearing with proper notice. This change would take effect January 1, 2027, and applies to all property tax collections starting that date. The bill does not change current tax rates but modifies the process for adjusting them, requiring transparency through public hearings while removing the need for separate voter referendums for these adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local taxing authorities to adjust property tax rates to prior maximum without voter approval, facilitating flexible budget management for local governments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 113: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to the Local Healthcare Provider Participation Program. (gov sig)

SB 113 establishes a backup mechanism for Louisiana's Local Healthcare Provider Participation Program in Calcasieu Parish. If the parish fails to authorize a local hospital assessment payment by June 1, 2026, municipalities within the parish with populations over 60,000 may independently authorize such assessments for healthcare providers operating within their city limits. The bill treats these municipalities as equivalent to parishes for compliance purposes, requiring them to meet the same program requirements. This procedural bill directly affects Calcasieu Parish and its larger municipalities, clarifying governance authority for healthcare funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local assessments to fund healthcare program, advancing public service funding through tax mechanism for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates backup funding mechanism for healthcare providers via municipal assessments, ensuring continued program access and stability for local healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 204: LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR: Provides for monthly financial reports to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor from certain East Baton Rouge Parish agencies

HB 204 requires specific East Baton Rouge Parish agencies - including the Capital Area Transit System, Recreation and Park Commission, and East Baton Rouge Council on Aging - to submit monthly bank statements directly to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. The bill mandates that these agencies provide their bank statements by the last day of each month, replacing previous annual audit requirements with a more frequent reporting schedule. This law applies only to the named agencies within East Baton Rouge Parish and does not alter their operational authority or funding. The change aims to increase transparency in the financial oversight of these local entities by the state auditor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates monthly financial reporting for agency transparency, enhancing fiscal oversight without altering tax/budget allocations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 417: FUNDS/FUNDING: Increases the maximum balance of the Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Fund (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 417 increases the maximum balance of Louisiana's Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Fund from a fixed $6.8 million to an amount adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) starting January 1, 2027. This change affects how the state manages funds generated from hazardous waste cleanup penalties, settlements, and fees collected under environmental laws. The bill requires the state treasurer to redirect excess funds above the new, inflation-adjusted cap into the Environmental Trust Fund, rather than the previous fixed limit. The adjustment mechanism ensures the fund's capacity grows with inflation, avoiding future budget constraints from rising costs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts fund cap via CPI for fiscal responsibility, redirects excess to Environmental Trust Fund85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases hazardous waste cleanup funding via CPI-adjusted cap and redirects excess to Environmental Trust Fund, strengthening environmental protection efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 135: GAMING: Provides relative to the dedication of revenue from sports wagering. (7/1/27) (EG SEE FISC NOTE SD RV See Note)

SB 135 directs 25% of annual tax revenue from sports wagering (capped at $20 million per year) to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund. This bill amends tax code to ensure these dedicated funds support early childhood education programs statewide. The provision takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all future sports wagering tax proceeds meeting the specified thresholds. It does not create new taxes but redirects existing revenue streams to a specific education fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing sports wagering tax revenue (capped at $20M/year) to fund early childhood education, advancing public service funding without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects 25% of sports wagering tax revenue ($20M/year cap) to early childhood education fund, increasing dedicated funding without new taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Early Childhood

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 316: PUBLIC DEFENDER: Provides relative to the Louisiana Public Defender Fund. (8/1/26) (OR -$158 GF EX See Note)

SB 316 amends Louisiana law to establish clear funding rules for the state's Public Defender Fund, directly affecting public defender offices across all judicial districts. The bill sets a minimum annual deposit amount calculated by multiplying district attorney warrants by a specific value (including retirement benefits) plus a $15,000 supplement per warrant. It mandates that at least 75% of the fund must be allocated each year to district public defender offices and indigent defender funds, while allowing the state public defender to distribute remaining funds for supplemental assistance. The law ensures funds are used exclusively for implementing the Louisiana Public Defender Act and related programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates minimum annual deposits and 75% fund allocation to public defender offices, ensuring stable funding for essential legal services under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum funding for public defender offices (75% allocation) and sets specific deposit rules, directly strengthening public defense resources in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 795: LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Limits fees charged to Orleans Parish taxing authorities for tax collection services

HB 795 limits fees charged to Orleans Parish taxing authorities for tax collection services to no more than 5% of the total taxes collected. It directly affects local governments in Orleans Parish (like New Orleans) that collect sales taxes through agreements with other taxing entities. The bill amends Louisiana law to require that any written agreement between these authorities for joint tax collection cannot charge fees exceeding this 5% cap on collected taxes. This is a straightforward fee limitation with no new tax or spending provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCaps tax collection fees at 5% to prevent excessive costs, promoting fiscal responsibility in local government spending and tax administration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SB 191: TAX/AD VALOREM: Provides relative to the assessment, payment, and allocation of ad valorem taxes. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

SB 191 amends Louisiana law to change how property seized for unpaid property taxes is handled. It allows political subdivisions (like parishes) to convert tax-sale property into a tax lien certificate for later sale and requires them to issue a formal sale document for property sold at tax sales. Buyers of such properties receive them "without warranty," meaning they get the property as-is with no guarantees about its condition or quality. The bill also establishes a three-year timeline after which lien holders can seek court enforcement of tax liens. This affects property owners with unpaid taxes, political subdivisions, and buyers at tax sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends property tax sale process to improve collection efficiency and fiscal accountability for ad valorem taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 300: PROCUREMENT CODE: Provides relative to the Louisiana procurement code. (gov sig) (EN -$25,000 SG EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes IT procurement rules requiring competitive bidding and written approval for long-term contracts, promoting fiscal responsibility by preventing excessive spending.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement