BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Legislature convened the 2026 Regular Session at noon Monday, beginning an 85-day period during which lawmakers will debate a range of issues including the state budget, education programs, artificial intelligence regulation and carbon capture policies.
More than 1,360 bills have been filed for consideration, including the proposed $47 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Legislators are also expected to review proposals aimed at expanding public safety investments and strengthening education programs.
House Speaker Phillip DeVillier said lawmakers plan to build on policy changes adopted earlier in the term, including tax reforms and efforts to stabilize insurance costs.
“We have made such great strides in the first two years of this term, when you look at how far we have come in areas like tax reform and beginning to see insurance rates come down here in Louisiana,” DeVillier said. “This year we want to build on those successes to encourage even more economic investment in our state and better prepare our workforce to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Senate President Cameron Henry said the Legislature will evaluate spending priorities while maintaining long-term fiscal stability as it reviews the budget proposal.
“As we carefully consider the proposed $47 billion state budget for next year, legislators want to fund the priorities that are important to Louisianans without committing our state to spending we can’t afford in the years ahead,” Henry said. “As we look ahead to next year when we want to bring down our state income tax rate even further, we’ll be looking to strengthen our long-term revenue sources so that whether it’s education, energy or public safety, we build revenue sources that our state can depend on going forward.”
The House of Representatives also welcomed four new members at the start of the session.
Chasity Martinez will represent District 60, covering Assumption and Iberville parishes, and has been assigned to the Education, Labor and Transportation committees. Ed Murray will represent District 97 in Orleans Parish and will serve on the Insurance, Municipal and Transportation committees.
Reese “Skip” Broussard will represent District 37 in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis parishes and will serve on the Agriculture, Education and Transportation committees. Doyle Boudreaux will represent District 39 in Lafayette Parish and has been assigned to the Transportation, Administration of Criminal Justice and Retirement committees.
The legislative session must adjourn no later than 6 p.m. June 1, under the state constitution. Lawmakers and the public can track bills and watch committee and floor proceedings through the state legislative website and the LALEGE mobile app.