BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) said the 2026 legislative session produced significant policy victories in workforce development, energy policy and workers’ compensation reform, measures the business organization said will strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness and support continued job growth.
Following the Legislature’s adjournment, LABI highlighted dozens of measures it supported during the session, including workforce and education initiatives aimed at preparing Louisiana workers for growing employment opportunities tied to major economic development projects.
LABI President and CEO Will Green said Louisiana’s recent wave of economic investment has increased demand for a skilled workforce and prompted lawmakers to prioritize policies that expand career training and workforce readiness.
Among the measures approved this year were bills expanding career readiness standards for middle school students, broadening eligibility for the TOPS-Tech scholarship program, creating a statewide dual enrollment application process and establishing new workforce training initiatives through Louisiana Community and Technical College System programs. Lawmakers also approved creation of the Office of Business Workforce Solutions within Louisiana Works to coordinate workforce development programs and align training efforts with employer needs.
Additional legislation established a statewide career alignment dashboard linking education programs to workforce opportunities and authorized expanded work-based learning programs through local school systems.
LABI also pointed to policy wins in the energy sector, saying lawmakers rejected proposals the organization argued would have created regulatory uncertainty for energy investment. The group additionally supported legislation designed to limit climate-related lawsuits against energy companies and related industries.
In workers’ compensation, lawmakers approved House Bill 456 by Rep. Emily Chenevert and Senate Bill 408 by Sen. Brach Myers, measures LABI said modernize portions of the state’s workers’ compensation system. The legislation expands employers’ ability to dispute claims and updates the state’s medical fee schedule while seeking to reduce litigation costs.
Despite those gains, LABI said additional legal reform measures supported by the business community failed to advance. The organization cited proposals addressing expert witness standards, damage awards and medical care accounts that did not reach final passage during the session.
Green said the session reflected progress toward improving Louisiana’s business climate but noted that further reforms remain necessary to strengthen the state’s competitiveness and attract additional investment.
LABI said it plans to release a more detailed review of the legislative session later this year through its annual Legislative Scorecard, which evaluates lawmakers’ positions on business and economic policy issues.