Technology

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 627: PUBLIC MEETINGS: Provides relative to live-stream video and recording of the public meetings of entities created by law (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HB 627 requires all government bodies created by law (like city councils or school boards) to both live-stream and video record every public meeting. This applies to all open proceedings, except private executive sessions, and mandates real-time online or TV broadcasting via the internet. The law exempts bodies from penalties if broadcast failures occur due to unforeseen technological issues beyond their control. It aims to increase public access to government meetings by making proceedings immediately available online.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires live-streaming of public meetings via internet, expanding public access to government proceedings through technology use85% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 858: WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Establishes a public records exemption for Global Positioning System data collected on wildlife and aquatic life

HB 858 exempts GPS location data collected by Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on individual wildlife and aquatic animals from public records disclosure. The bill amends state law to explicitly exclude this specific data from being released under public records requests. This directly affects the department's ability to share such data with the public, while protecting the precise locations of individual animals from potential misuse. The key provision prevents the release of GPS information that could reveal where specific animals are located.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts GPS wildlife data from public disclosure to prevent misuse (e.g., poaching), directly protecting species and habitats, thus supporting conservation efforts.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts GPS wildlife tracking data from public disclosure, protecting location privacy from misuse per bill's intent to prevent potential harm to animals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 445: EDUCATION: Provides relative to the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 445 transfers Louisiana's STEM Advisory Council from the Department of Education to Louisiana Works and redefines its responsibilities. The bill requires the council to create a statewide STEM education plan, coordinate programs with workforce needs, encourage industry funding, and establish a resource clearinghouse. It creates a dedicated STEM Education Fund to support student-focused programs (including robotics competitions via FIRST) from pre-K through college, funded by legislative appropriations and private donations. The council must submit annual reports to education committees and meet quarterly, with members able to participate electronically. This bill directly affects STEM education programs, schools, and industry partners across Louisiana.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated STEM Education Fund for student programs (pre-K-college), including robotics, aligning with education funding and program enhancement indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds STEM education programs including robotics competitions via FIRST, directly supporting technology education and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 141: COURTS: Provides relative to certain information on court filings

HB 141 requires attorneys to remove specific personal information from court filings starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting lawyers who file documents. The bill prohibits including the first five digits of Social Security numbers, tax IDs, driver's license numbers, full birth dates, financial account numbers, or other protected data. It mandates electronic filing systems (with paper as an alternative) managed by Louisiana Clerks' Remote Access Authority, ensuring filings are deemed filed at the time of electronic confirmation. Public access to electronically filed documents will follow existing rules for paper filings. The law aims to protect individuals' private information from being exposed in court records.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates removal of sensitive personal data (SSN, financial IDs) from court filings, directly enhancing data privacy protections in digital document handling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 188: COURTS/COURT REPORTERS: Provides for digital and remote court reporting

HB 188 allows Louisiana courts to use digital recording systems for court proceedings, replacing traditional in-person court reporting. It permits certified court reporters to transcribe proceedings remotely via approved digital platforms and eliminates the requirement for reporters to be physically present during trials. The bill also sets certification standards for digital reporting and permits court staff (who don’t need digital certification) to operate recording equipment under training guidelines. This directly affects certified court reporters, courts implementing digital systems, and court personnel managing recording technology. The law aims to address court reporter shortages by modernizing how court records are preserved.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly enables digital court reporting systems, removes physical presence requirements, and establishes certification standards for digital platforms, advancing technology adoption in judicial processes.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 209: TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Provides relative to the Local Government Fair Competition Act. (8/1/26)

SB 209 amends Louisiana's telecommunications laws to clarify how local governments can provide broadband and telecommunications services. It explicitly allows local governments to bundle services and engage in business practices similar to private competitors (§844.42(7)-(8)), while prohibiting cross-subsidization from tax dollars or other services (§844.53(2)(a)). The bill requires that bonds for broadband projects be repaid solely from service revenues (§844.52(C)), not general funds, and permits projects funded by federal programs like BEAD to proceed without restrictions. This primarily affects Louisiana parishes and cities seeking to expand broadband access, especially in unserved areas, by enabling competitive local government-led initiatives under defined financial and operational rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires broadband bonds repaid solely from service revenues (not general funds) and prohibits cross-subsidization from tax dollars, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly enables local governments to provide broadband services and bundle offerings, directly expanding internet access while prohibiting tax-dollar cross-subsidization.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track

failed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 259: UTILITIES: Provides relative to the repair of damaged infrastructure from certain excavators or demolishers (RE1 NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 259 requires excavators or demolishers using federal BEAD Program funding (for broadband infrastructure) to provide one week's notice before work begins. If they damage underground utility infrastructure, they must immediately stop further damage, notify affected parties, and cover all repair costs. The bill also states that such entities cannot receive final reimbursement from Louisiana's broadband office until they fix any damage. This applies specifically to projects funded by the BEAD Program, not general construction activities.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires repairs for BEAD-funded broadband infrastructure damage, preventing service disruptions and supporting internet access expansion through protective measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

Track

passed · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 897: HEALTH: Provides relative to protecting healthcare data

HB 897 protects patient healthcare data for participants in Louisiana's Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. It requires healthcare providers (general contractors and subcontractors) to obtain written consent before sharing any identifiable health information, provide clear privacy notices explaining what data will be shared and with whom, and offer an easy way for patients to revoke consent. Providers must also give patients free access to their records within 10 business days. Violations could lead to contract termination by the Department of Children and Family Services, following standard state procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient data rights through consent requirements, privacy notices, and record access, directly advancing healthcare privacy protections per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires written consent for health data sharing, privacy notices, and patient access to records - directly strengthens data privacy protections in healthcare technology systems.95% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 98: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides a penalty for the unlawful disclosure of confidential information relating to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 98 strengthens protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by creating criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of their confidential information. The bill prohibits individuals from intentionally releasing, disclosing, transferring, or disseminating victim-identifying details - such as abuse status, family members, or agency involvement - and imposes fines up to $2,500 or up to one year in prison for violations. It also shields community shelters from liability if staff or others unlawfully disclose such information. These provisions apply to service providers, law enforcement, and agencies handling victim cases, ensuring sensitive data remains confidential. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent re-victimization through information leaks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protections by penalizing unauthorized disclosure of confidential info, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects victim data privacy through criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, directly aligning with data privacy safeguards in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 750: CONSUMERS/PROTECTION: Provides for cancellation of automatic renewal subscriptions

HB 750, the "Click-to-Cancel Act," requires businesses in Louisiana to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms before consumers sign up for subscriptions and provide an easy way to cancel. It directly affects consumers who subscribe to services (like streaming or software) and businesses offering those subscriptions. Key provisions mandate that businesses: (1) show all renewal details (including charges and cancellation policy) in clear, visible language before payment; (2) give a simple cancellation method as easy as signing up; and (3) keep records of consumer consent for at least three years. The law aims to prevent hidden charges and make it straightforward for consumers to stop recurring payments.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates clear disclosure and easy cancellation for digital subscriptions, regulating tech companies to protect consumers from deceptive auto-renewals.85% confidence