Labor & Employment

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 312: EMPLOYMENT: Provides relative to union dues and fees for certain public employees. (8/1/26)

SB 312 changes how Louisiana public school employees (including teachers) pay union dues or fees. It requires employers to immediately stop deductions when an employee requests to stop, and mandates annual written notifications to employees about their right to withdraw from union membership without penalty. The bill also requires unions to maintain separate funds for political activities (with clear voluntary contribution rules) and prohibits using regular dues for political purposes. These provisions apply to all public school employees but exclude law enforcement and firefighters.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by mandating immediate stop of dues deductions upon request and annual notifications about withdrawal rights without penalty, strengthening individual choice in union membership.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 334: SUNSET LAW: Re-creates Louisiana Works and re-authorizes the Incumbent Worker Training Program

HB 334 re-creates Louisiana Works, a state workforce development program, effective June 30, 2026, with all authority ending July 1, 2031. It requires the legislature to reauthorize the Incumbent Worker Training Program by July 1, 2030, to continue funding for worker training. The bill directly affects Louisiana workers and employers participating in these workforce development initiatives. It establishes specific renewal deadlines and termination dates for these programs under Louisiana law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRe-creates workforce development program and mandates continued funding for worker training, directly advancing employment standards and skills development for Louisiana workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Workforce Development

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 356: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: Provides for air monitoring systems in certain facilities. (8/1/26)

SB 356 requires specific industrial facilities - such as petroleum refineries and chemical manufacturers with annual toxic air pollutant emissions exceeding 50 pounds - to install continuous real-time air monitoring systems at their property boundaries. These systems must track 17 listed toxic pollutants (like benzene, chlorine, and formaldehyde) and automatically alert the public and authorities if levels exceed safety thresholds (e.g., benzene above 27 micrograms per cubic meter). Facilities must report data quarterly, maintain records for five years, and publicly share real-time air quality data via a website. The bill applies only to facilities meeting the defined emission and industry criteria, with implementation pending final legislative approval.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates real-time air monitoring for toxic pollutants with public alerts at safety thresholds, strengthening pollution control regulations for industrial facilities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires real-time air monitoring for toxic pollutants at industrial facilities, directly improving workplace safety for workers exposed to hazardous emissions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 395: SCHOOLS: Requires the state Department of Education to create a program to recruit, hire, and retain mental health professionals (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 395 requires Louisiana's Department of Education to create a program recruiting, hiring, and retaining mental health professionals - including counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and behavioral health specialists - in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill mandates the department to aim for a ratio of one mental health professional per 250 students across all public schools. Implementation depends on future legislative funding, as Section 2 states the program becomes effective only after a specific appropriation is approved. This directly affects Louisiana's public schools and their ability to support student mental health needs through staff expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates future state funding for mental health programs in schools, requiring budget allocation to implement the program, aligning with funding essential services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health professional staffing ratio (1:250 students) to enhance student support services in public schools, directly advancing educational access and student well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates recruitment of mental health professionals in schools to achieve 1:250 ratio, directly supporting mental health services access for students.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates state program to recruit/retain mental health professionals in schools, creating new employment opportunities and addressing workforce needs in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 27, 2026

HB 77: CLERKS OF COURT: Provides for the payment of certain insurance premiums for employees of the clerk of court in Lincoln Parish

HB 77 requires the Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court to pay 100% of group insurance premiums (including life, health, dental, and medical expense coverage) for qualifying retirees. It directly affects former Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court employees who retire with at least 20 years of full-time service, are age 55 or older, and begin receiving retirement benefits immediately upon retirement. The bill specifically covers standard group insurance plans but excludes supplemental insurance options. This provision is limited to Lincoln Parish and applies only to retirees meeting these exact service and age requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates payment of health insurance premiums for qualifying retirees, directly expanding health coverage. Explicitly includes health in covered insurance types (health, dental, medical expense).95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 100% insurance premium coverage for qualifying retirees, expanding post-employment benefits for a specific group of former employees.75% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 202: CIVIL SERVICE/UNCLASSIFD: Provides relative to job advertisement requirements and notice to applicants

HB 202 requires Louisiana state agencies to include salary ranges in all job advertisements for unclassified civil service positions. It also mandates that applicants who are rejected for such positions must receive written notice of the rejection. The bill directly affects state agencies posting these vacancies and job applicants seeking unclassified roles. These provisions aim to increase transparency in hiring processes for non-competitive state positions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates salary transparency in state job ads and rejection notices, increasing hiring fairness for applicants under employment standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 177: COURTS/COURT REPORTERS: Excludes court reporters from the two-year waiting period for rehiring relative to termination of public service (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 177 (Louisiana) modifies state law to allow retired court reporters in judicial districts or city courts to be immediately rehired without waiting the standard two-year period after retirement or termination. The bill specifically adds a provision (R.S. 42:1121(K)) stating retired court reporters can be hired on a contractual basis or reemployed with the same court at any time after leaving public service. It directly affects court reporters who previously faced a mandatory waiting period before returning to court employment. The change removes this barrier, enabling immediate rehiring without requiring a two-year gap.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves mandatory two-year waiting period for court reporters to be rehired, directly advancing employment continuity and rights for this specific workforce.85% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 465: DISTRICTS/TAXING: Creates the Violet Economic Development District in St. Bernard Parish

HB 465 creates the Violet Economic Development District in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, specifically targeting the Violet area for coordinated economic growth. The district, governed by a 9-member board including local officials and community representatives, will use tax revenue from future property value growth (via state sales tax increment financing) to fund infrastructure, housing, workforce development, and community priorities. It directly affects residents and businesses within the defined boundaries, aligning with opportunities related to the Louisiana International Terminal. The bill establishes clear governance rules and transparency requirements for how funds are reinvested locally.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax increment financing district to fund infrastructure, housing, and workforce development using future property tax growth, directly advancing fiscal management and targeted budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds housing development via tax increment financing for the Violet Economic Development District, directly advancing housing priorities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly funds workforce development as a priority, directly advancing employment skills and economic opportunities within the district.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Tax Incentives Property Development Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 202: ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT: Provides for the increase of parish board of election supervisor meetings in certain parishes for certain races. (8/1/26) (EN +$192,000 GF EX See Note)

SB 202 increases compensation for Louisiana parish election board members during presidential and congressional elections. It raises the maximum number of compensated days from six to eight for these elections, while adding $50 per day for non-public official members who testify in court as subpoenaed witnesses related to election duties. The bill affects all parish election boards in Louisiana overseeing presidential or congressional elections, without limiting the change to specific parishes. This amendment updates existing compensation rules to provide greater financial support for board members during high-stakes election cycles.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases compensation for election board members ($50/day for court testimony) and raises paid days, directly enhancing wages for workers in specific roles, aligning with labor wage support indicators.95% confidence

Tags Elections

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 549: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV See Note)

HB 549 creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to provide grants to eligible Louisiana employers for workforce training. The program uses a state fund to award up to $2,000 per qualified employee for training lasting no more than six months that results in industry-recognized, transferable credentials. Funds cover classroom and on-the-job training costs but cannot be used for equipment, licensing, or basic skills training. Employers must be physically located in Louisiana, comply with state tax laws, and partner with approved training providers like community colleges or apprenticeship centers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for workforce training grants, advancing fiscal management through targeted spending on employer training programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds employer training for industry credentials, advancing worker skills and employment opportunities through state grants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development