Louisiana House adopts a package of study resolutions and passes health, vape and levy measures
May 20, 2026 | 2026 Legislature LA, Louisiana
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The Louisiana House of Representatives met on May 19, 2026, and adopted a slate of study resolutions, ceremonial recognitions and final legislative measures.
Representative Marcel introduced House Resolution 179 to create a study commission on the effectiveness of neighborhood crime-prevention and security districts, saying, "I bring to you house resolution number 1 79, which is a study commission where we're going to study the effectiveness of crime, neighborhood prevention districts and security districts in East Baton Rouge Parish and throughout the state." Members voted by machine and the resolution was adopted (reported vote: 94 yays).
The chamber took up a series of departmental study requests and task-force measures, including HR 2 25 (study of parish-wide debris removal models) and HR 2 74 (requesting the House Committee on Natural Resources to review the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022). Representative Owen, who backed HR 2 74, described the motion as a look-back at a prior task force and asked for "a look back next year ... to find out how it went out and what elements of it are still part of our state policy." The climate-plan review resolution was adopted by machine vote (94 yays recorded).
On ceremonial business, the House adopted a concurrent resolution honoring corporal Lane Frenchie Boudreaux for extraordinary heroism in recovering the body of Sergeant First Class James H. Moore during combat in March 1969. The resolution included a reading of the finding and a moment of silence; the family and veterans were recognized on the House floor.
Final passage: HB 11-99 (genetic testing coverage)
Representative McMahon explained House Bill 11-99, a measure to require health-insurance coverage for genetic testing and medically necessary treatment related to SCN2A-associated disorders. The bill "finally passed" on a recorded vote with 94 yeas and 0 nays, according to the clerk's announcement.
Restrictions on vape sales near schools: HB 302
Representative Chasson moved HB 302 to limit the sale of vapor products within 300 feet of schools and offered amendments to align the new restrictions with existing alcohol-distance rules. Chasson noted the change was offered to "match the alcohol amendments that were added on previously" and credited former colleague Chad Brown with helping draft language. The bill passed on final passage with 86 yays and 4 nays.
Levee governance restructuring: Senate Bill 56
The House considered Senate Bill 56, which restructures governance for a Lafitte-area levee district and folds oversight into the Westbank Levee Authority, expanding the authority's board and changing governance effective 08/01/2026. Floor sponsors described amendments to ensure local representation from the Lafitte area; the House passed the Senate bill on the record (97 yays reported).
Conference committee action: HB 7-82
The House received and adopted a conference committee report on HB 7-82, which updates regulation of alternative nicotine and vaping products, raises certain fees, and adds enforcement provisions. Representative Brass, presenting the conference report, said the changes were intended to reduce youth vape use and aligned the conference language with stakeholders and the governor's office; the report was adopted by machine vote (94 yays, 0 nays).
What did not change today
Much of the day's floor business consisted of routine concurrence in Senate amendments and adoption of ceremonial resolutions; where the House rejected Senate amendments or returned bills to the calendar, members noted they would address technical fixes in conference. No new mandates or effective dates beyond those read on the floor were established today without further specification.
Next steps
Bills that passed the House with Senate concurrence will move to enrollment or to the next procedural step noted on the floor. Several items were given notices for later calendar calls (dates announced on the floor). The House adjourned with committee and scheduling announcements for the coming week.
Sources: Proceedings recorded on the House floor, May 19, 2026 (House journal and clerk's readouts).
Representative Marcel introduced House Resolution 179 to create a study commission on the effectiveness of neighborhood crime-prevention and security districts, saying, "I bring to you house resolution number 1 79, which is a study commission where we're going to study the effectiveness of crime, neighborhood prevention districts and security districts in East Baton Rouge Parish and throughout the state." Members voted by machine and the resolution was adopted (reported vote: 94 yays).
The chamber took up a series of departmental study requests and task-force measures, including HR 2 25 (study of parish-wide debris removal models) and HR 2 74 (requesting the House Committee on Natural Resources to review the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022). Representative Owen, who backed HR 2 74, described the motion as a look-back at a prior task force and asked for "a look back next year ... to find out how it went out and what elements of it are still part of our state policy." The climate-plan review resolution was adopted by machine vote (94 yays recorded).
On ceremonial business, the House adopted a concurrent resolution honoring corporal Lane Frenchie Boudreaux for extraordinary heroism in recovering the body of Sergeant First Class James H. Moore during combat in March 1969. The resolution included a reading of the finding and a moment of silence; the family and veterans were recognized on the House floor.
Final passage: HB 11-99 (genetic testing coverage)
Representative McMahon explained House Bill 11-99, a measure to require health-insurance coverage for genetic testing and medically necessary treatment related to SCN2A-associated disorders. The bill "finally passed" on a recorded vote with 94 yeas and 0 nays, according to the clerk's announcement.
Restrictions on vape sales near schools: HB 302
Representative Chasson moved HB 302 to limit the sale of vapor products within 300 feet of schools and offered amendments to align the new restrictions with existing alcohol-distance rules. Chasson noted the change was offered to "match the alcohol amendments that were added on previously" and credited former colleague Chad Brown with helping draft language. The bill passed on final passage with 86 yays and 4 nays.
Levee governance restructuring: Senate Bill 56
The House considered Senate Bill 56, which restructures governance for a Lafitte-area levee district and folds oversight into the Westbank Levee Authority, expanding the authority's board and changing governance effective 08/01/2026. Floor sponsors described amendments to ensure local representation from the Lafitte area; the House passed the Senate bill on the record (97 yays reported).
Conference committee action: HB 7-82
The House received and adopted a conference committee report on HB 7-82, which updates regulation of alternative nicotine and vaping products, raises certain fees, and adds enforcement provisions. Representative Brass, presenting the conference report, said the changes were intended to reduce youth vape use and aligned the conference language with stakeholders and the governor's office; the report was adopted by machine vote (94 yays, 0 nays).
What did not change today
Much of the day's floor business consisted of routine concurrence in Senate amendments and adoption of ceremonial resolutions; where the House rejected Senate amendments or returned bills to the calendar, members noted they would address technical fixes in conference. No new mandates or effective dates beyond those read on the floor were established today without further specification.
Next steps
Bills that passed the House with Senate concurrence will move to enrollment or to the next procedural step noted on the floor. Several items were given notices for later calendar calls (dates announced on the floor). The House adjourned with committee and scheduling announcements for the coming week.
Sources: Proceedings recorded on the House floor, May 19, 2026 (House journal and clerk's readouts).
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