Louisiana 2026 bills: Guns on campus, minimum wage, bail reform and court oversight

BATON ROUGE, La. (KSLA) - Four bills introduced during Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session address some of the state’s most debated issues: firearms on college campuses, a minimum wage increase, bail restrictions for convicted offenders and expanded discipline over out-of-state attorneys. All four are in their original form and have not yet passed either chamber.

STATUS: INTRODUCED — HB 99 | Guns on college campuses

Introduced by Rep. McCormick | House Bill 99 | 2026 Regular Session

House Bill 99 would allow any person 18 years of age or older who is lawfully permitted to possess a firearm under state and federal law to carry a firearm on the campus of any Louisiana college or university — public or private — that receives state funding.

The bill removes colleges and universities from the definition of “school” under existing firearm-free zone statutes, effectively ending the blanket prohibition on campus carry that currently applies to those institutions.

What the bill would allow

Under HB 99, eligible individuals — including students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors — could carry firearms in most campus areas. Prohibited locations would include areas restricted under federal law, active disciplinary or administrative hearings, medical or mental health treatment centers operated by the institution, and events with security screening when proper signage is posted.

What universities could not do

The bill bars the Board of Regents, university management boards and individual institutions from requiring firearm registration, imposing training or storage requirements beyond state law, or creating campus-specific restrictions that conflict with the proposed statute. Private colleges that accept students receiving TOPS or other state-funded scholarships would face the same restrictions.

No student, faculty member, staff member or visitor could be disciplined or penalized solely for carrying a firearm under the bill’s provisions.

Current status: Introduced in the Louisiana House. Has not passed committee or either chamber.

Click here to see the full proposed bill: House Bill 99

STATUS: INTRODUCED — SB 230 | Livable wage constitutional amendment

Introduced by Sen. Barrow | Senate Bill 230 | 2026 Regular Session

Senate Bill 230 proposes a constitutional amendment that would establish a statewide livable wage of $10.25 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2027. If passed by the legislature with a two-thirds majority, the measure would go before Louisiana voters at the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide election.

How the wage would work

The proposed wage would increase annually each Jan. 1 based on the rate of inflation for the prior 12-month period, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, rounded to the nearest five cents.

Exemptions

The bill includes several exemptions. Employees under age 16 and employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of $300,000 or less would be paid no less than the federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped employees could be paid less than the livable wage rate — but no less than half — if tips bring their total compensation to at least the livable wage for all hours worked. Family members employed by a solely family-owned and operated business would also be exempt. The state could issue licenses allowing employers to pay below the livable wage to individuals with mental or physical disabilities.

Current status: Introduced in the Louisiana Senate. Requires two-thirds approval in both chambers before going to voters. Has not passed committee or either chamber.

STATUS: INTRODUCED — HB 51 | No bail after conviction for aggravated offenses against minors

Introduced by Rep. Villio | House Bill 51 | 2026 Regular Session

House Bill 51 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit post-conviction bail for any defendant convicted of an aggravated offense — as defined under R.S. 15:541 — committed against a minor victim. If approved by two-thirds of both legislative chambers, the measure would appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide ballot.

Under current Louisiana law, a person convicted of a crime may be granted bail before sentencing if the maximum sentence is five years or less, and a judge may grant bail if the sentence exceeds five years. HB 51 would create an absolute exception to that framework for aggravated offenses against minors — removing judicial discretion in those cases entirely.

Current status: Introduced in the Louisiana House. Requires two-thirds approval in both chambers before going to voters. Has not passed committee or either chamber.

STATUS: INTRODUCED — SB 68 | Louisiana Supreme Court oversight of out-of-state lawyers

Introduced by Sen. Morris | Senate Bill 68 | 2026 Regular Session

Senate Bill 68 proposes a constitutional amendment expanding the Louisiana Supreme Court’s disciplinary jurisdiction to cover attorneys who are not licensed in Louisiana but who practice law, offer legal services, operate a law firm or hold supervisory authority over Louisiana-licensed lawyers within the state.

Under current law, the Supreme Court holds exclusive original jurisdiction over disciplinary proceedings against members of the Louisiana bar and attorneys specially admitted for a particular proceeding. SB 68 would extend that authority to out-of-state attorneys operating in Louisiana in any of the described capacities.

If approved by two-thirds of both chambers, the measure would go before voters at the statewide election scheduled for April 17, 2027.