SCHOOLS: Creates the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program to supplement school crisis management and response plans. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
SB 488 establishes a pilot program to use drones as part of school safety and crisis response plans. The bill directly affects school districts by allowing them to incorporate drone technology into their existing emergency management strategies. It requires the state to fund this pilot program to test how drones can assist during school emergencies. The legislation amends the title to refer to 'Education' instead of 'Schools' to broaden the scope of the program.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 31, 2026
Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB488 Original
→
SB488 Act 521
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6 edits
MODERATE
This bill enacts a pilot program allowing schools to use drones for safety responses. It formalizes the program under state law, sets strict limits on how many schools can join (1 to 4), and requires vendors to sign confidentiality agreements to protect school data. The law also mandates coordination with law enforcement and requires an annual report to be submitted by December 31, 2027.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope by creating a new statutory section (R.S. 17:416.16.2) that formally establishes the drone pilot program as part of existing crisis management plans, whereas the original draft was less detailed regarding statutory integration.
SCOPE
Added a new statutory section (R.S. 17:416.16.2) to formally codify the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the selection criteria to limit participation to at least one but no more than four schools on a first-come, first-serve basis.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement for participating schools to provide mapping data to the chosen vendor.
Added a requirement for the vendor to enter into a confidentiality agreement with the department, the school, and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools.
Added a requirement for the vendor to coordinate with state police and sheriffs to ensure unified emergency response procedures.
TIMELINE
Established a specific deadline of December 31, 2027, for the department to submit an annual report on the program's effectiveness.
Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2026 · House May 19, 2026
How they voted
37–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
May 5, 2026
D
Democratic12
91% Yea
R
Republican28
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays.
upper
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 90, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (9-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 7, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
Rules suspended. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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