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HB 649 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

HIGHER EDUCATION: Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs

HB 649 requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a single statewide application system for high school students seeking dual enrollment courses at public colleges. It mandates all public postsecondary institutions to participate in this system unless they provide written notice of non-participation to their management board. The bill also directs management boards to develop plans for improving student access and cost efficiency, with implementation required by the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects high school students, public colleges, and their administrative boards by replacing multiple application processes with a standardized, statewide approach.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates statewide dual enrollment application system to expand college access for high school students and requires cost efficiency plans, directly advancing educational access in higher education.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB649 Original → HB649 Act 438 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized into Act 438, shifting the focus from requiring a new statewide application process to mandating that public postsecondary institutions adopt specific rules for handling student non-participation and re-entry. The finalized law also establishes a requirement for a standard uniform tuition rate for all dual enrollment courses, replacing previous language regarding interinstitutional agreements.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from establishing a centralized application system to enforcing uniform participation rules and tuition rates across all public postsecondary institutions.
REQUIREMENT

Replaced the requirement to establish a statewide application process with a mandate for institutions to adopt rules for notice of non-participation and re-entry.

Added a new requirement for the Board of Regents to adopt a standard uniform tuition rate for all dual enrollment courses.

SCOPE

Removed language prohibiting local school boards from developing interinstitutional articulation and transfer agreements.

TECHNICAL

Added formal approval signatures from the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and Governor.

Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · House Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

37–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
May 13, 2026
D Democratic12
11 Yea 1
91% Yea
R Republican28
26 Yea 2
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
5
Committee
5
May 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called, yeas 94, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
lower
May 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 4, 2026
Committee
Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 101, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (11-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ken Brass
Ken Brass
DDemocratic
LA
58