The Louisiana House of Representatives today voted to approve a financially responsible $47 billion state budget that avoids raising taxes for the year beginning July 1, 2026 and speeds up investment in better classrooms and more high-paying jobs in Louisiana. The primary state budget bill, House Bill 1, passed the House in a 104 to 0 vote and moves with a package of other funding bills approved by the House today to the Louisiana Senate for further consideration.
After the votes, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, (R)-Eunice, noted, “I’m proud that the House came together in overwhelming unity today to build the budget our voters sent us here to build: one founded on fiscal accountability, while reaching beyond bureaucracy to make Louisiana a place people want to live and businesses want to grow.”
House Appropriations Chair Rep. Jack McFarland, (R)-Jonesboro, who authored HB1, said, “With this budget plan, we’re setting the stage for Louisiana to move at the speed of business. We’re investing right now in improving our classrooms and workforce training to meet the market, as we invite the industries of tomorrow to see Louisiana’s potential today.”
The full House also approved the state’s Capital Outlay bill (HB2, the state’s construction budget), as well as funding for the legislature and the judiciary next year. In HB2, the state’s construction plan remains below the maximum available funding level for projects next year by several million dollars. The state will now also “bundle” funding for various sets of construction projects so capital for under-budget projects not moving forward can flow timely to over-budget projects that are ready-to-go.
“We’re being careful with the people’s dollars, while trying to eliminate the delays typical in this process,” said Ways and Means Chair Rep. Tony Bacala, (R)-Prairieville. “Together, we’re moving government out of the way of what it takes for our local communities and businesses to grow and succeed.”
Key investments in the House-approved budget plan sent to the Senate include:
- $420 million in funding for early childhood education
- Fully funding the K-12 education funding formula (MFP)
- For the first time since 2009, increases per-pupil funding for school districts’ operational needs (up from $100 to $147 per student) for expenses including fuel, insurance, utilities and retirement costs. (Provided in addition to the state’s MFP per-student educational funding)
- $87 million for the LA GATOR scholarship program, offering families education savings accounts
- $125 million to Louisiana Economic Development (LED) for new projects, and programs attracting private industry investment
- $50 million to replenish a fund to face future emergencies such as hurricanes
- $144 million surplus payment to LASERS to pay down state retirement debt
Building on the tax reforms the legislature passed over the past two years, this package of money bills moves next to be heard in committees in the Louisiana Senate, and then before the full Senate. The 2026 Regular Legislative Session must end by 6:00pm, June 1, 2026.