HB 905 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

HIGHER EDUCATION: Changes the name of the Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy

This bill changes the official name of the state maritime academy from the "Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy" to the "University of Louisiana Maritime Academy at Nicholls State University." The change clarifies the institution's affiliation with Nicholls State University while maintaining its role in training merchant marine officers and coordinating maritime programs. The legislation updates the relevant state code to reflect this new naming convention without altering the academy's core functions or educational pathways. This is primarily a procedural update to ensure accurate identification of the institution within Louisiana's higher education system.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 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

HB905 Original HB905 Act 445 · 1 edit
MINOR
This bill formally updates the name of the state maritime academy from 'Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy' to 'Louisiana Maritime Academy at Nicholls State University.' The change clarifies the institution's specific affiliation with Nicholls State University, likely to better reflect its operational structure and location within the University of Louisiana System.
Scope change
The bill narrows the scope of the institution's name to explicitly include 'at Nicholls State University,' replacing the previous generic 'Universities of Louisiana' designation.
DEFINITION

The legal name of the state maritime academy was changed from 'Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy' to 'Louisiana Maritime Academy at Nicholls State University' in R.S. 17:3217(B)(1).

Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 40
May 20, 2026
D Democratic12
10 Yea 2
83% Yea
R Republican28
24 Yea 4
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 12, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
May 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 100, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (12-0).
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 · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors