HB 1 is Louisiana's budget bill for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, allocating state funds for the ordinary operating expenses of all state government departments and offices. It specifies funding amounts for departments like the Executive Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary of State, and others, covering day-to-day operations such as administrative costs, elections, and state programs. This bill does not create new policies or programs; it directs existing budget resources to maintain current government functions. It directly affects state agencies by providing their operational funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
HB 401 designates the elevated section of U.S. Highway 190 over the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, St. Tammany Parish, as the "Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge" to honor a military corporal. The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, using local or private funds to cover costs up to $2,250 per sign. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no substantive policy changes, solely commemorating an individual through a public infrastructure designation.
This bill updates Louisiana's absentee voting rules to better accommodate members of the United States military stationed or deployed outside the country. It allows these service members to use federal postcard applications or electronic submissions and extends the validity of their applications until they are no longer deployed abroad. The law also requires registrars to provide written reasons if they reject a military member's application and mandates that service members submit a new application if their ballot is returned as undeliverable due to address changes. These changes aim to simplify the voting process for military personnel while maintaining oversight through specific requirements for application validity and registrar responsibilities.
This Senate resolution expresses the formal condolences of the Louisiana Legislature to the family of Carroll Wade Shaddock Jr., who passed away in November 2025. The document honors his life as a retired Army officer, educator, and community leader who served in Vietnam and dedicated his career to supporting scholarships in Southwest Louisiana. It acknowledges his specific contributions, such as originating scholarships at McNeese State University and mentoring young men, while noting his survival by his wife and several descendants. The resolution concludes by formally commending his dedication to public service and transmitting a copy of the text to his family.
This Senate resolution formally commends Stine Home & Yard to mark its eightieth anniversary and recognize its long-standing contributions to Louisiana and the Gulf South region. The bill highlights the company's history, from its founding in 1946 by former World War II pilots to its growth into a major family-owned home improvement retailer serving customers across Louisiana and Mississippi. It specifically notes the business's commitment to community service, disaster recovery efforts following hurricanes, and its dedication to ethical operations and employee support. The resolution concludes by expressing appreciation for the company's legacy and directs a copy of the document to the Stine family and its leadership.
This resolution requires the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to the state legislature starting in 2027. The report will detail how long it takes, on average, for veterans to file claims for services after leaving the military, along with data on filing trends and any barriers causing delays. By collecting this information, the legislature aims to better understand gaps in service access and evaluate the effectiveness of current support programs. The findings will be shared with both the Senate and House committees on veterans and military affairs to inform future policy decisions.
This Louisiana concurrent resolution asks the U.S. Congress and the Trump administration to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which aims to help combat-wounded service members who have been medically retired. The bill seeks to remove a current rule that reduces military retirement pay by the same amount as disability compensation from the Veterans Affairs, allowing veterans to keep both benefits in full. Although the resolution expresses strong support for this change, it is a formal request rather than a law that directly alters federal policy itself.
SB 129 creates a special "Master Combat Infantryman" license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles. It is available only to veterans who hold the Combat Infantryman Badge plus one of three specific expert badges (Expert Infantryman, Expert Field Medical, or Expert Soldier Badge), as defined by Army regulations. The plate features the Army badge design in light blue and gold, with the title text, and follows existing fee structures for specialty plates. The license plate must be returned upon the holder's death, but may transfer to a surviving spouse who hasn't remarried.
This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally commends Lane "Frenchie" Boudreaux for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. It specifically recognizes his decision to re-enter a combat zone under heavy fire to recover the body of his fallen comrade, Sergeant First Class James H. Moore, carrying the body while refusing to leave him behind. The resolution honors Boudreaux's self-sacrifice and service as an embodiment of the Marine Corps ethos that no comrade is ever abandoned. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or funding but serves to publicly acknowledge his bravery and express appreciation for his military service.
This bill designates specific sections of the Galatas Memorial Bridge in Louisiana by inserting the word "Memorial" into its official name. The change is made through three amendments that update the bridge's title in the state's highway records. Once passed, the legislation ensures the bridge is formally recognized with this specific designation in all relevant transportation documents.
