Budget & Taxes

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1122: TAX/INCOME TAX: Establishes a calculation to be used for reducing the rate of the state tax levied on individuals (OR DECREASE GF RV See Note)

This bill establishes a formula for reducing Louisiana's individual income tax rate when money is deposited into the state's Income Tax Elimination Fund. It directly affects individual taxpayers by potentially lowering their tax rates based on the amount of funds transferred to the fund relative to total tax revenue collected. The mechanism requires the Department of Revenue to calculate a new tax rate by dividing fund deposits by tax revenue, multiplying by the current rate, and subtracting the result from the existing rate, with a minimum threshold of 0.05% reduction required for any change to take effect. The bill only becomes operative if a constitutional amendment related to this tax reduction is approved by voters in a statewide election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces individual income tax rates through fund deposits, providing tax relief and promoting fiscal management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 3: CAPITAL OUTLAY: Provides for the Omnibus Bond Act

This bill establishes a framework for Louisiana to manage its state capital improvement projects through a five-year bond program. It repeals outdated bond authorizations that cannot be used due to inflation or impracticality while authorizing new bonds for essential projects. The State Bond Commission will issue general obligation bonds to fund capital improvements, with some projects requiring dedicated revenue streams like student fees to cover debt payments. This legislation creates a systematic process for updating bond authorizations annually to ensure only feasible and necessary projects receive funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes bond framework to fund essential capital improvements and manages state fiscal resources through structured debt financing for public projects.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes bonds for capital improvements including potential student fee-funded projects, which can support school infrastructure and educational facilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1045: LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR: Provides for the audit threshold for local auditees

This bill updates the financial audit requirements for local government entities in Louisiana by establishing specific revenue thresholds that determine when an annual audit is mandatory. Local auditees receiving between $200,000 and $500,000 in annual revenues must have their financial statements reviewed with an attestation report, while those receiving $500,000 or more must undergo a full annual audit. The legislation also introduces an automatic adjustment mechanism that will increase the $500,000 threshold each year starting in 2027 based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. These changes directly affect local governments, school boards, and other public entities that fall within these revenue ranges and require them to comply with updated audit standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens fiscal oversight by establishing audit thresholds for local governments, promoting financial accountability and transparency in public fund management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 1075: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for payment of the judgment against the state in the suit captioned Dawn Marie DePedro et al. v. State of Louisiana et al.

This bill authorizes the Louisiana state government to pay a court judgment totaling approximately $1.6 million from the state general fund. The funds are designated to settle a lawsuit filed by Dawn Marie DePedro and her family against the Department of Transportation and Development. The money will be distributed among the plaintiffs to cover the judgment amount, court costs, and expert witness fees as determined by the court. The bill also establishes that interest will be paid according to legal requirements and that payment will only occur after the state treasurer receives the necessary documentation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to pay a court judgment, directly advancing fiscal management and budget execution by allocating resources for legal obligations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 61: HOMELAND SECURITY: Memorializes congress to fully fund the United States Department of Homeland Security

This resolution asks the U.S. Congress to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security after its funding lapsed in February 2026. The bill directly affects federal agencies within DHS, including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Coast Guard, which have experienced service disruptions and unpaid work due to the funding gap. It requests Congress to restore normal operations and ensure compensation for essential federal employees currently working without pay. The resolution is a formal request rather than a law that directly changes funding or policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requests full funding for DHS to restore operations and pay employees, directly advancing budget appropriations for essential federal services.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds DHS including TSA, which directly impacts transportation security operations and infrastructure75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 1020: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for payment of the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Alvin J. Clouatre, Jr. v. Eagle, Inc. et al.

This bill authorizes the Louisiana state government to pay a $40,000 consent judgment from the State General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The payment is for a legal settlement between the state, represented by LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, and Alvin J. Clouatre, Jr., regarding a civil case in Orleans Parish. Funds can only be used to cover the final judgment amount including principal, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees as specified in the agreement. The bill ensures the payment stops accruing interest once enacted and requires proper documentation before the state treasurer releases the funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $40,000 from state funds to pay a legal judgment, fulfilling a financial obligation and protecting state interests.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1132: SCHOOLS/FINANCE-MFP: Provides for funding any laboratory school operated by a public postsecondary education institution in the University of Louisiana System through the minimum foundation program

This bill ensures that laboratory schools run by public universities in Louisiana, including those under the University of Louisiana System, receive state funding through the Minimum Foundation Program. It updates existing state law to classify these schools as public elementary or secondary schools, making them eligible for annual funding allocations based on a standardized formula. The change directly affects university-operated schools like those at Louisiana State University, Southern University, and institutions such as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Monroe. By including these schools in the funding formula, the legislation aims to provide consistent financial support for their operations without altering their university affiliation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state funding for laboratory schools through the Minimum Foundation Program, directly advancing public education budget allocations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides state funding for university-operated laboratory schools, classifying them as public elementary/secondary schools eligible for standardized funding allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1016: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for payment of the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Deborah L. Reynolds v. Beauregard Parish Police Jury et al.

This bill authorizes the Louisiana state government to pay a $25,000 consent judgment from the State General Fund to settle a legal case involving Deborah L. Reynolds and the state's Department of Transportation and Development. The funds are designated for fiscal year 2025-2026 and will cover the judgment's principal amount, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees as specified in the legal agreement. The legislation ensures that payment occurs only after proper documentation is submitted to the state treasurer and establishes that interest stops accruing once the act takes effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $25,000 from State General Fund to settle a legal judgment, directly funding a government obligation and ensuring fiscal management of state liabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1014: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for the payment of the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Angela Melerine et al. v. DOTD

This bill appropriates $375,000 from the state general fund to pay a consent judgment against the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in a lawsuit brought by Angela Melerine and Eric Melerine, Jr. The funds are specifically allocated to cover the state's portion of the judgment, with $337,500 designated for Angela Melerine and $37,500 for Eric Melerine, Jr. The legislation authorizes payment of the judgment principal, court costs, and expert witness fees once the judgment is finalized, with interest ceasing to accrue on the effective date of the law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $375,000 from state general fund to pay a consent judgment, directly funding a legal obligation and protecting state fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Louisiana · House May 12, 2026

HR 80: LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR: Directs the legislative auditor to conduct a comprehensive fiscal audit of all state and federal funds expended by the Board of Regents and certain boards of supervisors, colleges, and universities under its jurisdiction relative to certain executive budget metrics (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill directs Louisiana's legislative auditor to conduct a comprehensive fiscal audit of state and federal funds spent by public universities and colleges on a specific goal of increasing completers from underrepresented minority groups between fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2025-2026. The audit will examine expenditures across multiple institutions, including staff salaries, recruitment programs, scholarships, data systems, and performance-based funding tied to this objective. The auditor must produce a written report detailing how much money was spent and where it was allocated, which will be sent to key legislative committees and leaders before the 2027 legislative session. This measure aims to provide oversight on how public funds are used to meet the executive budget's diversity completion targets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fiscal audit of state/federal funds, promoting government accountability and fiscal responsibility in public university spending.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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