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Legislative Priorities.
2026 Session Issues
Louisiana has built real economic momentum during the past two years—momentum we must leverage to compete with our southern neighbors. Historic tax reform, critical improvements to our state’s education climate, long-sought legal system changes, and a strategic reorganization and alignment of state agencies have strengthened our ability to deliver education, workforce preparation, infrastructure and economic development for Louisiana’s citizens.
LABI will continue to employ its LA Driven strategic plan, championing the additional reforms needed to attract investment, create jobs and grow opportunity for Louisiana families and businesses.
The 2026 legislative session is a pivotal opportunity to build on the gains made over the last two years. Boardrooms across the country are taking notice of Louisiana’s improving competitiveness, but we still have ground to make up. Policymakers must stay the course and reject pressure to revert to the status quo that has held our state back for decades.
Therefore, LABI will promote policies that seek to:
- Create a fair, predictable and transparent legal climate that attracts insurers, helps reduce insurance costs and restores balance to our civil justice system—ensuring insurers meet their obligations to insureds without the threat of predatory lawsuits seeking nuclear verdicts.
- Strengthen cradle-to-career workforce development by supporting high-quality early childhood education, expanding work-based learning opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships, improving access to business education programs, and preparing Louisianans for high-wage, high-demand careers—keeping our best and brightest here while making Louisiana a premier destination for job creators and families.
- Protect Louisiana’s position as a leader for innovative energy investment by defending against exploitative lawsuits and new regulatory and permitting barriers that would erode Louisiana’s ability to compete for next-generation energy projects and the jobs that come with them.
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Civil Justice Reform
Louisiana’s liability exposure is a major concern to individuals, government, professionals and businesses, both large and small. We know for Louisiana’s economy to improve, it is necessary that its civil justice system improves. We will defend the meaningful reforms achieved in recent years and continue working to further strengthen and improve Louisiana’s judicial system.
Education and Workforce Development
For decades, LABI has fought to ensure students have access to a high-quality education that produces the skills needed to thrive in the workforce. LABI has consistently advocated for students, parents, taxpayers, and employers alike and will continue to champion an education system that prepares students for high-wage, high-demand jobs and invests in life-long learners. While Louisiana has made real progress, much work remains. LABI will continue to emphasize educational excellence as essential for improving the attractiveness of Louisiana as a destination for families, and to prepare the state’s future workforce.
Employee Relations
The Employee Relations Council will support efforts to make Louisiana’s workers’ compensation (WC) system more effective and less costly. It will also remain diligent in protecting the solvency of the state’s unemployment compensation (UC) trust fund to prevent employer UC tax increases. In most other respects, Louisiana’s employment laws are generally viewed as employer-friendly when compared to other states. Unfortunately, each session, numerous bills are filed to expose employers to lawsuits from their employees and/or restrict their ability to manage their workers efficiently and productively. LABI will once again be ready to defend against such legislative intrusion in the workplace.
Energy & Environmental Quality
LABI’s goal is to protect and improve the environment while maintaining a strong economic base.
Health Care
LABI encourages a cost-effective, competitive health care market as an incentive to economic growth, while assuring that consumers in Louisiana continue to receive high-quality, accessible and affordable health care. LABI opposes the adoption of a single-payer, government run health care system and takes an active role in public policy that would affect health care costs and outcomes, an employer’s right to contract, or an employer’s flexibility to determine and provide employee benefits.
Recognizing the importance of the health care industry to Louisiana’s economic development, LABI supports creative initiatives to grow a qualified allied health workforce and strong in-state capacity for medical research.
Small Business
Louisiana’s small businesses play a vital role in Louisiana’s economy. The growth of our state’s economy greatly depends on maintaining a healthy industrial base coupled with a thriving small business community. Over 70% of LABI’s membership is comprised of small businesses with less than 100 employees. So, the organization fully appreciates the profound importance of small businesses and the jobs they create. LABI recognizes their concerns over the growing risk of legal liability associated with routine business operations as well as governmentally imposed costs and regulations.
Governmental Reform Tax Force
LABI encourages the enactment and enforcement of state laws and policies that are honest, fair, transparent and responsible, allowing all citizens to participate in the electoral and governmental processes.
Taxation and Finance
LABI will actively work for enactment of fiscal policies that promote a stronger state economy, with a focus on private sector job creation. While last year’s special tax session was a start toward reforming Louisiana’s antiquated tax system, there remains much opportunity to further address the structural problems within our state’s fiscal system. The simple fact is that our southern neighbor states are making positive changes to their tax laws, too. Consequently, businesses in Louisiana continue to carry a disproportionate share of the tax burden as compared to those in other states. This places our state at a significant disadvantage in the competition for business investment and the jobs it creates. LABI will promote constructive reforms that ensure our state’s economic development while securing sufficient revenues for appropriate government services at both the state and local levels.
Technology
Technology constantly changes the way we live, work, and socialize. Innovations and technological advancements stimulate our economy, improve workplace training and make it easier and less costly for businesses to deliver goods and services to an ever-expanding marketplace.
The relationship between technology developers and the businesses reliant on their products to operate is vital. It is likewise important for businesses to partner with academic research and development institutions to help speed up the commercialization of budding technologies so these advancements can be brought to the marketplace more quickly. It is also important to recognize and safeguard against cybersecurity threats that jeopardize both the assets and growth of Louisiana businesses.
The council will actively support technology policies that improve the strength and competitiveness of Louisiana businesses and industries in the global marketplace.
Trade, Transportation and Tourism
LABI recognizes the direct correlation between a thriving business community and investing in a safe and sustainable transportation system. A modernized infrastructure system across all modes of transportation is paramount in fueling Louisiana’s economy, and LABI is focused on common sense policies and reforms geared to increase statewide productivity, enhance businesses’ ability to move their products across the nation, and remain globally relevant.
LABI encourages the enactment and enforcement of state and federal laws and policies that promote long-term solutions to Louisiana’s transportation needs, free flow of national and international trade, and promotion of the state’s unique tourism attractions.