Labor & Employment

introduced · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SR 203: EMPLOYMENT: Creates the Louisiana Livable Wage Task Force.

This bill establishes the Louisiana Livable Wage Task Force to study the cost of living and make recommendations for improving economic security for workers and families. The task force will assess living expenses across urban, suburban, and rural areas, analyze wage gaps, and gather input from various stakeholders including employers, employees, and community organizations. Composed of appointed members from government agencies, labor groups, and business associations, the group is required to submit a final report with policy suggestions by March 1, 2027. The bill does not set a specific wage increase but creates a committee to evaluate options for raising wages to meet basic needs while considering impacts on businesses and the local economy.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a task force to study living costs and recommend wage improvements, directly advancing economic security for workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SR 207: TEACHERS: Expresses support for the governor's efforts to identify and implement any means authorized by law to fund a stipend for classroom teachers and support staff for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year.

This Senate resolution expresses support for the governor's plan to find legal ways to pay a stipend to classroom teachers and support staff for the 2026-2027 school year. The bill acknowledges that the upcoming state budget does not currently renew this payment and encourages state officials to explore funding options, such as shifting money from non-instructional programs. It specifically directs that if funds are moved from the minimum foundation program to cover these salaries, the reduction should only apply to money designated for non-teaching activities. As a formal statement of support rather than a new law, the resolution does not create new rules but instead signals the Senate's backing for the administration's efforts to solve an immediate funding gap.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly supports funding teacher stipends and encourages exploring funding options to increase public service salaries.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly supports funding teacher stipends and encourages exploring funding options to pay staff.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly supports funding teacher stipends, expanding wages and benefits for educators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Teachers

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 473: VOTERS/VOTING: Provides for requested time-off to vote. (8/1/26)

This bill amends existing voter time-off laws to include early voting as a protected reason for requesting leave from work or school. It directly affects employees and students who need to vote during early voting periods, expanding their eligibility beyond those who vote by absentee ballot. The key change removes the specific reference to absentee ballots and replaces it with early voting to ensure broader coverage for different voting methods. This adjustment allows individuals to request time off without having to choose between their civic duty and their daily responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands worker rights by granting additional time-off for voting, strengthening employment protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Tags Elections

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passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 317: TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Urges and requests that the Department of Transportation and Development to convene a diagnostic review team to evaluate the proposed reactivation of the Norfolk Southern Railway originating at the Alabo Street Wharf

This Louisiana House resolution asks the Department of Transportation and Development to form a team that studies safety risks from increased train traffic at the Alabo Street Wharf. The request focuses on potential dangers like grain dust explosions and train collisions with vehicles in nearby neighborhoods, citing recent accidents as a reason for the review. If the study finds issues, the department must create a plan to improve safety and share its findings with the legislature by January 1, 2027. The measure does not change laws or fund projects directly but serves as a formal request for an official safety assessment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates a safety review to prevent grain dust explosions and train collisions, directly protecting worker and public safety.75% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1183: SUPPLEMENTAL PAY: Provides supplemental pay to persons employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as a probation or parole officer (OR +$6,264,000 GF EX See Note)

This bill proposes to provide an additional $6,000 annually in state funding to probation and parole officers within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. To qualify for this extra compensation, officers must be full-time employees earning at least $800 per month, have completed a certified training program, and have at least one year of service, which can include prior experience as a deputy sheriff. The payment of $600 per month is contingent upon a future constitutional amendment regarding the state budget being approved by voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $6.264M in state funding to increase compensation for probation and parole officers, directly supporting public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides supplemental funding to probation and parole officers, enhancing workforce stability and potentially improving supervision effectiveness.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides supplemental pay to probation and parole officers, directly increasing wages and supporting worker compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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introduced · Louisiana · Senate May 13, 2026

SR 115: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Designates Tuesday, May 12, 2026, as A Day Without Child Care Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

This resolution designates Tuesday, May 12, 2026, as A Day Without Child Care Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to raise awareness about early childhood education challenges. The measure directly affects child care providers, educators, and families by acknowledging the workforce crisis caused by low wages and high staff turnover in the sector. It serves as a symbolic gesture supporting the National Day Without Child Care initiative, which advocates for better funding and working conditions for early childhood educators. The bill does not change laws or allocate money but formally recognizes the date for advocacy and reflection on the state's child care system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill raises awareness of early childhood education workforce challenges, advocating for better funding and conditions for educators.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill raises awareness of child care workforce crisis, low wages, and staff turnover, advocating for better working conditions.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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failed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HR 357: ECONOMIC DEVELOP/DEPT: Urges and requests Louisiana Economic Development to consider certain eligibility requirements for companies applying for the High Impact Jobs Program

This resolution asks the Louisiana Economic Development agency to consider adding a rule that would disqualify companies from state job incentives if 20% or more of their employees qualify for SNAP benefits. The bill references a proposed law that would have implemented this restriction, noting that over one million Louisianans currently meet the poverty criteria for such assistance. However, the resolution itself is non-binding and was rejected by the House of Representatives, meaning it does not change any existing laws or program requirements. It serves as a formal request to agency leadership rather than a new policy mandate.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill seeks to restrict economic development incentives for low-income workers, effectively limiting government support for job creation in vulnerable sectors.75% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill proposes disqualifying companies from job incentives if many employees receive SNAP, effectively restricting hiring incentives for low-wage workers.85% confidence

Tags Economic Development

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died · Louisiana · House Apr 21, 2026

HCR 73: CONGRESS: Memorializes the United States Congress to include expanding H-2B worker visas in its appropriations bill or other appropriate legislative instrument for Fiscal Year 2027

This bill asks the U.S. Congress to increase the number of H-2B work visas available for Fiscal Year 2027. It directly affects Louisiana employers who rely on these temporary visas for seasonal jobs in industries like crawfish processing and landscaping. The resolution requests that the federal government raise the annual limit on these visas or adjust the baseline allocation to help businesses meet their workforce needs. By doing so, the bill aims to prevent potential economic losses for local companies that currently struggle to hire enough workers due to existing caps.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill seeks to expand H-2B worker visas, directly increasing access for temporary immigrants and supporting their economic integration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to expand H-2B visas to prevent economic losses and ensure workforce availability for seasonal industries, directly supporting labor needs.85% confidence

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passed · Louisiana · Senate May 25, 2026

SR 132: LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES: Requests the La. State Law Institute to study the feasibility of requiring employers to provide occupational accident insurance to independent contractors.

This bill asks the Louisiana State Law Institute to study whether employers should be required to provide accident insurance for independent contractors and single-member business entities. The study will examine how current laws handle these workers, who are currently often excluded from standard workers' compensation coverage. It will also gather input from various groups, including business leaders and labor representatives, to assess the impact of such a change. Finally, the Institute must submit a report with its findings and recommendations to state committees by January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill proposes study to extend workers' comp to independent contractors, strengthening worker protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 461: GROUP BENEFITS PROGRAM: Provides relative to the office of group benefits. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

SB 461 expands eligibility for group benefits programs in Louisiana to include active employees of entities created by the Supreme Court to regulate the legal profession. This change specifically covers organizations like the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Committee on Bar Admissions, provided the court approves their participation and they fund the employer portion of premiums using their own generated revenue. The bill amends existing state law to formally define these employees as eligible participants in life, health, and other sponsored benefit plans. It does not alter the benefits themselves but clarifies who can access them under the current Office of Group Benefits framework.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands eligibility for group benefits to specific employee groups, directly enhancing worker benefits and protections.75% confidence