Budget & Taxes

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 960: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for payment of the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Milton G. Brady v. The McCarty Corporation, et al

This bill allocates $65,000 from Louisiana's State General Fund to pay a consent judgment in a lawsuit between Southern University and several individuals. The funds will cover the principal amount, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees awarded in the February 2024 settlement. The money can only be used after the judgment is finalized and proper documentation is submitted to the state treasurer. Once paid, the state will no longer owe interest on this specific debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $65,000 from State General Fund to pay a consent judgment, fulfilling state financial obligations and preventing further debt accumulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

passed · Louisiana · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SR 7: COASTAL PROTECT/RES AUTH: Approves the annual state integrated coastal protection plan for Fiscal Year 2027, as adopted by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board.

This bill approves Louisiana's Fiscal Year 2027 annual state integrated coastal protection plan, which was developed by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board. The plan outlines projects and programs to protect, conserve, enhance, and restore the state's coastal areas, including hurricane protection and land management initiatives. By approving the plan, the legislature authorizes its implementation and directs funding to priority projects based on the plan's identified needs. The resolution follows required public hearings and committee reviews, making the plan effective for the upcoming fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill approves and directs funding for coastal protection plan, advancing state infrastructure and environmental management programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill approves and funds Louisiana's coastal protection plan, directly supporting environmental conservation, land management, and hurricane protection initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Public Lands

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1039: TAX/SALES-USE, LOCAL: Provides for local sales and use tax audit procedures (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)

This bill updates Louisiana's local sales and use tax audit procedures to increase transparency and fairness for taxpayers. It requires tax collectors to randomly select businesses for audits rather than targeting specific ones without cause, unless there is documented evidence of tax violations. The law also mandates that collectors get approval from their governing board before starting any audit and must provide advance notice to taxpayers. Additionally, the bill prohibits collectors from forcing taxpayers to sign time-limit waivers as a condition of closing an audit and clarifies rules about interest and penalties on unpaid taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by increasing transparency and fairness in tax audits, preventing arbitrary targeting of businesses and requiring documented evidence for audits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Sales Tax

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 445: FUNDS/FUNDING: Provides relative to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund. (gov sig) (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill establishes and modifies the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund to support early learning programs. It requires the state to deposit at least $30 million annually into the fund starting in 2027, with additional contributions from grants and donations. The money can only be used for matching grants to local entities that expand quality early childhood care slots for families receiving child care assistance, provided the local entities contribute equal non-state and non-federal funding. The bill also directs unspent state education funds to be transferred to this fund at the end of each fiscal year, with exceptions for funds that have existing liabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes and funds the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund with mandatory $30M annual deposits to support early learning programs and expand care slots.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes funding for early childhood education, expanding access to quality care slots for families receiving assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 430: TAX/LOCAL: Provides for the levy of hotel occupancy tax by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. (8/1/26)

This bill allows the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau to collect an additional hotel occupancy tax from guests staying at hotels, motels, and overnight camping facilities in Caddo and Bossier parishes. The tax requires voter approval through a statewide election, where a majority of voters must vote in favor of both the initial tax and any future renewal. The authority to collect the tax would last for twelve years after voter approval, with the option to renew for another twelve-year period if approved by voters again. This change directly affects hotel and camping businesses operating in the area and the tourists who stay at these facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes new hotel occupancy tax to fund tourism bureau operations, directly advancing state budget and taxation for public services.90% confidence

passed both · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HCR 35: TAX/PROPERTY: Urges and requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study and make recommendations regarding expediting the sale of adjudicated tax-delinquent property (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill asks the Louisiana State Law Institute to study how to speed up the sale of tax-delinquent property that has been held for a long time. The study would focus on finding ways to sell this property to buyers who plan to fix it up and add value, rather than letting it sit idle. The Louisiana State Law Institute must complete its research and send recommendations to the state legislature by January 1, 2027. This request comes after recent changes to how tax liens are handled, which still allow some properties to remain unsold for extended periods. The bill does not change any laws itself but instead seeks expert advice on potential improvements to the current tax sale system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by expediting sale of tax-delinquent property, potentially increasing revenue and reducing government losses from idle assets.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes faster sale of tax-delinquent property to encourage development and value addition, which indirectly supports housing availability and development.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Property Taxes

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 1129: PROPERTY/PUBLIC: Provides relative to the selling of state-owned surplus movable property (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

This bill allows the Louisiana Commissioner of Administration to sell surplus movable state property through public auctions. It requires the commissioner to hire qualified auctioneers via competitive bidding, with the contract lasting one year and requiring annual renewal. When both in-state and out-of-state auctioneers bid, the law gives preference to in-state professionals if their services are equal in quality and cost no more than 10% higher than out-of-state options. The changes apply to any state board, commission, agency, or department disposing of surplus movable items.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by enabling efficient disposal of surplus state property through competitive auctions, generating revenue and reducing government waste.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1015: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Gina Raymond v. Allstate Ins. Co. et al.

This bill allocates $65,000 from the state's general fund to pay a legal settlement reached between the State of Louisiana and Gina Raymond regarding a lawsuit involving the Department of Transportation and Development. The funds will cover the principal amount, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees specified in the February 2026 consent judgment against Allstate Insurance Company, Geico Casualty Insurance Company, and Preston J. Volpi. The legislation establishes that payment will only occur after the judgment is finalized and requires submission of documentation to the state treasurer before funds are released. Once paid, the state considers the judgment satisfied and stops accruing additional interest from the effective date of the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $65,000 from state general fund to pay legal settlement, directly funding a government obligation and maintaining fiscal responsibility by addressing state liabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1013: APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funding for the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Anthony Murray v. State of La., through the Dept. of Transportation and Development

This bill allocates $198,298.75 from Louisiana's state general fund to pay a consent judgment in a lawsuit between the state and Angie Richmond, who is the legal successor of Anthony Murray. The funds are designated for the Department of Transportation and Development and will cover the judgment's principal, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees. The legislation establishes that payment requires documentation submitted to the state treasurer and specifies that interest stops accruing once the act takes effect. The bill becomes effective upon the governor's signature or after the legislative session concludes without a veto.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds to pay a legal judgment, fulfilling financial obligations and maintaining government fiscal responsibility.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 1007: DISTRICTS/SPECIAL: Creates the Faubourg Nouveau Marigny Improvement District in Orleans Parish

This bill creates the Faubourg Nouveau Marigny Improvement District in New Orleans, establishing a new local organization to manage neighborhood improvements in that specific area. The district will be governed by a five-person board consisting of representatives from the existing neighborhood association and three residents elected by district voters, who will oversee beautification projects, infrastructure upgrades, and community events. Funding for these initiatives will come from a property fee collected from landowners within the district, with amounts capped at $100 per year for most residential and commercial parcels, $500 for unimproved land, and subject to voter approval before collection begins. The district operates as a political subdivision of the state with powers to enter contracts, purchase property, and collaborate with city agencies, while its funds must be used exclusively for district benefits and remain subject to state audit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates improvement district with funding for neighborhood infrastructure and beautification projects, advancing local fiscal management and public services.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes improvement district for infrastructure upgrades and beautification projects in neighborhood, which may include transportation improvements.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability