Budget & Taxes

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 515: FUNDS/FUNDING: Provides relative to the Small Business Innovation Retention Fund. (8/1/26) (OR SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)

This bill updates Louisiana law to manage the Small Business Innovation Retention Fund, which provides financial assistance to local businesses that have won competitive federal SBIR or STTR grants. It directs the Department of Economic Development to administer the fund and requires all state and federal money designated for this purpose to be deposited into it. The legislation also outlines the terms and conditions for issuing these grants to eligible small businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes and funds the Small Business Innovation Retention Fund to provide financial assistance to local businesses, strengthening state economic development and fiscal management.85% confidence

Track

passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HR 170: TRANSPORTATION: Memorializes Congress to secure federal funding to remove four closed bridges on United States Highway 90 in St. Tammany Parish

This Louisiana state resolution asks the U.S. Congress to provide $10 million in funding to remove four unsafe bridges on Highway 90 in St. Tammany Parish. The bridges, which have been closed since 2022 due to structural issues, currently block a vital route used for commerce, daily commuting, and hurricane evacuations. The request specifically seeks money from the 2027 federal budget to clear these structures, which is intended as a preliminary step toward rebuilding the highway. This measure does not directly allocate funds but serves as a formal request to the federal government to consider the funding in future appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks $10M federal funding to remove unsafe bridges, directly advancing infrastructure maintenance and public safety.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks federal funding to remove unsafe bridges and restore a vital transportation route, enhancing infrastructure and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 63: LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFC: Requests the legislative auditor to examine and evaluate the process of creating fiscal notes during the legislative session.

This bill asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are created during the legislative session. The review will compare the state's current process with similar systems used in other states to identify potential improvements. It also requires the auditor to examine the data and information used in these fiscal notes. The changes aim to enhance the evaluation of the legislative fiscal office's work without altering the underlying budgeting laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by enhancing the evaluation of fiscal notes and improving budgeting accuracy through comparative analysis.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Debt & Bonds State Budget

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 478: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to the Board of Regents powers and duties. (gov sig)

This bill establishes a comprehensive financial accountability framework for Louisiana's public colleges and universities to ensure the efficient use of public funds. It requires the Board of Regents to develop a uniform fiscal policy by December 31, 2026, which mandates that institutions submit quarterly financial reports detailing revenues, expenses, and cash flow. The legislation also creates an early warning system to identify financial distress based on specific metrics, such as structural deficits or declining cash reserves, and requires institutions in trouble to submit corrective action plans. Additionally, the bill updates the Board of Regents' authority to monitor institutional performance and submit annual reports to state leadership.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes financial accountability and fiscal responsibility frameworks for public colleges, ensuring efficient use of public funds.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes financial accountability and an early warning system to ensure efficient use of public funds, protecting higher education resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Higher Education

Track

failed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HR 368: MEDICAID: Requests the La. Department of Health to include certain information in its Monthly Medicaid Forecast Report

This resolution requested that the Louisiana Department of Health provide more detailed breakdowns of Medicaid spending in its monthly budget reports, specifically asking for separate data on managed care payments, pharmacy rebates, and interagency transfers. The bill aimed to increase transparency for lawmakers and auditors by requiring the department to disaggregate large, currently combined financial categories without needing new data collection or funding. Although the measure sought to enhance oversight of the state's largest budget program, it was rejected by the House of Representatives with a vote of 7 to 89.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances transparency and fiscal accountability by requiring detailed Medicaid spending breakdowns, promoting responsible budget management.85% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 485: TAX/LOCAL: Provides for the levy of premium tax in the city of St. George. (7/1/26)

This bill amends Louisiana state laws to allow the city of St. George to levy a premium tax on insurance and to charge new developments for their share of public infrastructure costs. The legislation authorizes the city to collect these funds to help cover essential government expenses and expand roads, drainage, water, and wastewater systems needed due to new construction. To ensure fairness, the law requires the city to prepare detailed plans and hold public hearings before implementing any charges on new projects. These changes specifically apply to municipalities incorporated after 2010 that are located within large parishes, aiming to provide a predictable way for local governments to fund infrastructure growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes new premium tax and infrastructure fees to fund essential government expenses and public works, directly advancing the budget and taxation topic.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly authorizes funding to expand roads, drainage, and wastewater systems needed for new construction.85% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · House May 13, 2026

HR 264: BUDGETARY CONTROLS: Directs the Board of Regents and certain Boards of Supervisors of public postsecondary education institutions to conduct a fiscal review of all state and federal funds expended in furtherance of certain executive budget objectives and to transmit their findings to the legislative auditor for consolidation into a written report to the legislature (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill directs Louisiana's major public higher education systems to conduct internal audits of all state and federal money spent on increasing the number of graduates from underrepresented minority groups between fiscal years 2021 and 2026. The affected institutions must examine specific expenses such as staff salaries, recruitment programs, scholarships, and vendor contracts related to this goal and submit their findings to the legislative auditor. The legislative auditor will then combine these individual reports into a single written document for the state legislature to review. This measure is designed to provide oversight on how public funds are used to meet specific diversity objectives without creating new spending or changing existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fiscal reviews and audits of public funds, promoting transparency and fiscal responsibility in higher education spending.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

Track

passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 40: CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to ensure the timely passage of appropriation measures that fully fund and align with the National Defense Authorization Act.

This Louisiana concurrent resolution asks the U.S. Congress to pass full-year funding bills for the military without delay. It specifically requests that these funding measures match the spending levels authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent uncertainty. The bill aims to ensure stable resources for military operations, construction, and support services for service members and their families in Louisiana. It does not change any laws or allocate money itself but serves as a formal request from the state legislature to the federal government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill urges Congress to fully fund military operations, directly advocating for increased government spending and fiscal stability for defense.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks full funding for military operations and services, which directly supports veterans and their families by ensuring stable resources.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1183: SUPPLEMENTAL PAY: Provides supplemental pay to persons employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as a probation or parole officer (OR +$6,264,000 GF EX See Note)

This bill proposes to provide an additional $6,000 annually in state funding to probation and parole officers within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. To qualify for this extra compensation, officers must be full-time employees earning at least $800 per month, have completed a certified training program, and have at least one year of service, which can include prior experience as a deputy sheriff. The payment of $600 per month is contingent upon a future constitutional amendment regarding the state budget being approved by voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $6.264M in state funding to increase compensation for probation and parole officers, directly supporting public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides supplemental funding to probation and parole officers, enhancing workforce stability and potentially improving supervision effectiveness.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides supplemental pay to probation and parole officers, directly increasing wages and supporting worker compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

Track

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 11, 2026

SR 93: CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to ensure timely and full funding aligned with the National Defense Authorization Act in order to support the readiness, stability, and well-being of United States military personnel and their families.

This Louisiana Senate resolution asks the U.S. Congress to provide timely and complete funding for the military that matches the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill specifically targets military personnel and their families in Louisiana, aiming to reduce budget uncertainty that can delay construction, training, and essential services like housing and healthcare. It also requests that the federal government prioritize support for quality of life issues, including compensation and expanded access to fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. By sending this request to federal lawmakers, the state legislature seeks to ensure stable resources for defense operations and the well-being of service members.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requests timely and full funding for military readiness and personnel support, directly advancing government spending for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly requests timely funding to support military personnel and families, directly addressing healthcare and readiness needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track