LOTTERY: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to lottery proceeds benefitting veterans (RE +$500,000 GF EX See Note)
HB 165 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would require Louisiana voters to approve changing the state constitution to create a new lottery game specifically dedicated to funding benefits for Louisiana resident military veterans and their families. If passed, the amendment would direct annual appropriations from the Lottery Proceeds Fund - using revenue generated exclusively from this new game - to support veterans' programs, while also limiting funds for problem-gambling services to $500,000 annually. The bill does not alter existing lottery proceeds but mandates a new dedicated funding stream for veterans through a separate lottery game. Voters will decide on this amendment in the November 2026 statewide election. This is a procedural constitutional change requiring voter approval, not an immediate policy implementation.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 18, 2026
Last action May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB165 Reengrossed
→
HB165 Engrossed
·
3 edits
·
May 7, 2026
MINOR
The bill was re-engrossed to update the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment, clarifying that the legislature may appropriate up to $500,000 from the Lottery Proceeds Fund for Louisiana resident military veterans and their families. This change ensures the public vote accurately reflects the specific funding limit and beneficiary group without referencing the minimum foundation program, which is a separate constitutional provision.
TECHNICAL
Updated the ballot question text to remove the reference to the 'minimum foundation program' and clarify that the $500,000 appropriation is specifically for the benefit of Louisiana resident military veterans and their families.
Changed the citation of the amended constitutional section from 'Article XII, Section 6(A)(1)' to a general reference, likely to align with the updated ballot language or correct a citation error.
Adjusted the formatting of the asterisks on line 5 to reflect the final engrossed version of the document.
Floor votes · House May 7, 2026
How they voted
91–0
Passed · 14 other
Total votes 105
May 7, 2026
D
Democratic33
72% Yea
R
Republican72
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
3
Committee
5
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 89, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (8-0).
lower
Apr 28, 2026
Committee
Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Apr 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (19-0). To be recommitted to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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