The 2026 legislative session ended last night with no major bills making it through on the final day of the session. The bill that created a high amount of tension was the new Congressional map that eliminates a Black majority district. House Governmental Affairs Chairman and New Iberia Republican Beau Beaullieu says race was not a factor in the drawing of the map.
Cut 13 (05) “…maximizes partisan advantage.”
The map approved by the Republican-led legislature is expected to be challenged in court.
And we’ll see more proposed constitutional amendments as a result of this session, including one that prohibits governors from serving more than two terms during their lifetimes. Political reporter for the Advocate Tyler Bridges says it only impacts three people right now.
Cut 15 (07) “…two terms lifetime.”
Students who attack teachers and other school employees face tougher penalties under a pair of bills awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. House Bill 283 is what New Orleans Representative Candace Newell calls the “Teacher’s Shield Act,” and it creates new mandatory penalties for students who attack teachers and puts additional protections in place for employees. Earlier in the session, Kimberly McDaniel told the House Education Committee about how her father was assaulted by a student.
Entergy is two years into executing a 1.9-billion-dollar resilience plan to fortify structures and upgrade distribution and transmission lines. Entergy Vice President of Customer Nyka Scott says the upgrades were put in place after Grand Isle was hit hard by Hurricane Ida.
Cut 5 (08) “…didn’t lose power.”
Scott says similar infrastructure is being built across the state.