The nearly three-month 2026 Regular Legislative Session adjourned today, after legislators approved a $47 billion balanced budget that prioritizes attracting private industry to create new higher-paying jobs in Louisiana, improving the state’s roads and infrastructure, investing in K-12 education and paying down state debt.
From the state’s $12.5 billion in State General Fund dollars alone, lawmakers voted to spend $4 billion on K-12 education (fully funding the Minimum Foundation Program) and $1.3 billion on higher education – together, representing close to half of all State General Fund dollars. Education funding approved includes $420 million for early childhood education and $30 million for tutoring programs. In the final days of the legislative session, legislators worked with Governor Jeff Landry to provide a legislative path that can fund teacher stipends again in the coming year, and created a task force expected to recommend a more permanent teacher pay solution going forward.
Lawmakers approved spending more than $360 million in economic development initiatives to attract better jobs for Louisianans, including $75 million in incentives for companies that pay higher-than-average wages, $50 million in business site readiness funding, and $139 million for businesses to retain and recruit employees.
The legislature made additional investments, above the annual Capital Outlay bill, in road and infrastructure improvements totaling more than $500 million; approximately $33 million in rate increases for Medicaid home and community-based services for disabled individuals; and $144 million in surplus payments to LASERS to specifically pay down additional state retirement debt.
“We are at a unique point in Louisiana’s history right now, building on two years of tax reform work that has already attracted more than $100 billion in new private industry investments heading into Louisiana,” said Senate President Cameron Henry. “Look at the budget we passed, and you will see our priorities include modernizing our educational systems, creating better workforce training programs and improving our roads and infrastructure. We are readying our state to meet the opportunities that will literally be life-changing for our people.”
Before both chambers gaveled to a close, lawmakers had created a new congressional district map to elect U. S. House members from Louisiana, removed the vehicle inspection sticker requirement for all but five parishes, steered $50 million more to Louisiana’s fortified roof grant program next year, provided more protections for minors online; and strengthened protections against hazing on college campuses.
“I’m proud of the work our members did together this session. From education and health to crime and the courts, we tackled some controversial issues this year to be sure, and it wasn’t always easy,” said House Speaker Phillip DeVillier. “Throughout this process, one belief we all share is the desire to serve our constituents and to create better opportunities for Louisiana families.”
Legislators considered more than 2,500 legislative instruments over the 85 calendar days allowed in a regular legislative session, and sent more than 900 bills to the governor’s desk for his approval.
Additional legislation that received final passage included:
- scheduling this year’s U.S. House congressional elections to be held as an open primary election on November 3, 2026, with a general election on December 12, 2026 (qualifying period August 5-7, 2026);
- opening up TOPS-Tech tuition assistance awards to potentially include more students, including certain part-time students and veterans;
- enhancing the penalty for using marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school zone;
- authorizing Homelessness Court programs, approving minimum standards for homelessness service providers;
- strengthening criminal penalties for obstruction of worship services; and
- creating the first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana.
For more information on legislation passed during the 2026 Regular Session, the public can log onto www.legis.la.gov to search for bills and watch live streams of committee room and floor debate. Additionally, the legislative mobile phone app, LALEGE, can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play.