Education

passed · Louisiana · House May 25, 2026

HB 350: EDUCATION: Provides for students at École Pointe-au-Chien (RE INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 350 creates École Pointe-au-Chien as a public French immersion school serving students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Terrebonne Parish. The bill establishes the school as independent from state education boards, operating under its own board of directors. It specifies the school’s grade levels and location while requiring French immersion instruction as part of its curriculum. This directly affects students enrolled at École Pointe-au-Chien and its governing board.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new public French immersion school, expanding educational access and curriculum options for K-4 students in Terrebonne Parish.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 522: SCHOOLS: Provides for approval for charter schools that specialize in vocational and technical education to meet workforce demands for high demand and high wage jobs. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

This bill creates a new pathway for establishing vocational and technical charter schools in Louisiana that bypass local school boards and go directly to the state board for approval. To qualify, these schools must offer programs aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and energy, and they must receive a formal resolution of support from the State Board of Commerce and Industry. The legislation allows up to 50% of student enrollment to be reserved for children of employees or residents working in the specific industry the school serves, while also permitting industry representatives to sit on the school's governing board. Additionally, the bill requires charter agreements to include memorandums of understanding with local businesses to provide support such as internships and career counseling.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a specific approval pathway for vocational and technical charter schools, expanding educational access and enhancing student programs for workforce preparation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1132: SCHOOLS/FINANCE-MFP: Provides for funding any laboratory school operated by a public postsecondary education institution in the University of Louisiana System through the minimum foundation program

This bill ensures that laboratory schools run by public universities in Louisiana, including those under the University of Louisiana System, receive state funding through the Minimum Foundation Program. It updates existing state law to classify these schools as public elementary or secondary schools, making them eligible for annual funding allocations based on a standardized formula. The change directly affects university-operated schools like those at Louisiana State University, Southern University, and institutions such as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Monroe. By including these schools in the funding formula, the legislation aims to provide consistent financial support for their operations without altering their university affiliation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state funding for laboratory schools through the Minimum Foundation Program, directly advancing public education budget allocations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides state funding for university-operated laboratory schools, classifying them as public elementary/secondary schools eligible for standardized funding allocations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 636: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to hazing at public postsecondary education institutions (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates hazing prevention education and reporting in public colleges, enhancing student safety and institutional accountability within higher education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 14: TEACHERS RETIREMENT: Provides relative to the reemployment of retired members of TRSL in positions eligible for TRSL membership and alternative retiree reemployment options. (2/3-CA10s(29)(F)) (7/1/26) (EN INCREASE APV)

SB 14 allows retired Louisiana teachers to return to eligible teaching positions while receiving partial retirement benefits, affecting those who retired before June 2010, are age 65 or older, or return within 12 months of retirement. Retirees can choose between two options: working with earnings capped at 50% of their original salary (receiving reduced benefits but no additional retirement credits) or suspending benefits to regain full membership during reemployment, with a supplemental benefit calculated upon leaving. The bill requires retirees to pay employee contributions during reemployment but refunds these contributions (without interest) upon termination, while employer contributions are retained. Disability retirees are excluded, and the bill includes reporting requirements with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables retired teachers to return to classrooms with partial benefits, supporting educator workforce stability and retention in K-12 education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 28: TEACHERS/CERTIFICATION: Provides relative to the appeals process for teacher certification applicants

HB 28 amends Louisiana's teacher certification appeals process to give the state superintendent of education new authority. It allows the superintendent to override a Teacher Certification Appeals Council's denial of certification if the denial resulted from circumstances beyond the applicant's control (e.g., administrative errors), but not if the certification would conflict with state or federal law. This applies to applicants denied certification after January 1, 2025, including retroactive review of past denials. The bill directly affects educators seeking certification who have been denied by the appeals council. The key change is adding this superintendent override option while maintaining the council's decision as final except under these specific conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends appeals process to allow superintendent override of administrative errors in teacher certification, protecting applicants from non-fault denials.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HR 208: HIGHWAYS: Urges and requests that the Department of Transportation and Development to construct a roundabout on Louisiana Highway 1019

This legislative resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to build a roundabout at the intersection of Louisiana Highway 1019 and Old Louisiana Highway 16. The bill cites safety data suggesting roundabouts reduce severe collisions and encourages drivers to slow down, which is particularly relevant near the nearby Live Oak Junior High School. By formally requesting this infrastructure change, the resolution aims to improve traffic safety without mandating the construction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves traffic safety near a junior high school, indirectly supporting student safety and educational access.55% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requests construction of a roundabout to improve traffic safety and infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 28: TEACHERS: Provides relative to associate teachers. (gov sig)

SB 28 lowers the minimum age requirement for associate teachers in Louisiana from 25 to 21 years old. This change directly affects individuals seeking to join Louisiana's associate educator program as new participants. The bill amends existing law (R.S. 17:7.8(B)(3)) to update this age requirement, with no other substantive policy changes described in the text. The bill is currently in early stages, having been prefilled and referred to the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers associate teacher age requirement from 25 to 21, expanding potential educator pool and supporting teacher recruitment in Louisiana's education system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 142: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Requires postsecondary education management boards to continue to comply with the conditions on all Board of Regents Support Fund matches. (gov sig)

SB 142 requires public university management boards in Louisiana to maintain compliance with the original conditions attached to Board of Regents Support Fund matches. Specifically, it ensures that nonstate contributions matched with public funds (through endowment programs) must continue to follow their initial terms, including preserving the original matching funds' purpose and not altering the combined corpus of state and nonstate contributions. This directly affects all public postsecondary institutions receiving these matched funds, as they must uphold the same rules governing how those funds are used, invested, and protected. The bill does not create new programs but reinforces existing requirements for handling these specific state-matched endowments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires compliance with original conditions on matching funds for public universities, protecting existing support structure and preventing diversion of state/nonstate contributions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 570: TAX/AD VALOREM TAX: 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 570 modifies Louisiana's property tax rules to allow local taxing authorities (like parishes, cities, or school boards) to adjust millage rates after reassessments. It permits elected bodies to raise rates up to the constitutional maximum with a two-thirds vote (no voter approval needed), while non-elected bodies face a 2.5% annual revenue cap on increases. Unspent rate allowances expire after 2024 (2023 for Orleans Parish), resetting to 2026 rates, and rates automatically decrease if reassessment increases property values. The bill directly affects local governments setting property taxes and property owners paying those taxes, effective January 1, 2027, pending constitutional amendment approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows school boards (as elected bodies) to adjust property tax rates without voter approval, enabling potential increases in school funding. Directly supports education revenue generation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education