Louisiana 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

HB 709 — ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the promulgation of rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Last action — Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 27, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

142 added · 74 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill HB 709 introduce a new notification system for pending rulemakings, allowing businesses and individuals to opt-in for email updates by specific topics, which increases transparency about regulatory changes. Additionally, a new Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is established within the governor's office to oversee these rules and ensure legislative oversight. These changes are significant because they aim to make the rulemaking process more accessible and responsive to public input, ultimately enhancing the accountability of government agencies.

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HLS 26RS-1163 ORIGINAL Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
HLS 26RS-1163 ENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
49:961(A)(1) and (2)(a)and 966(D)(1)(a)and (L), to enact R.S.
49:966(D)(1)(a) and (L), to enact R.S.
49:965(C),andtorepealR.S.49:966(E)(2),relativetotheAdministrativeProcedure Act;
49:953.1, 960, and 965(C), and to repeal R.S.
to provide for the promulgation of rules;
49:966(E)(2), relative to the Administrative Procedure Act;toprovideforthepromulgationofrules;toprovidefortheautomaticexpiration ofthe rules promulgated bycertainagencies;to provideforasystem fornotification of rulemakings;
to provide for the procedure for the adoptionofrules;toprovidefortheeliminationofrules;toprovidefortheexpiration of agency rules;
to establish the office of information and regulatory affairs within the office of the governor;
to provide for duties of the office of information and regulatory affairs;
Section 1.
Section1.
R.S.
R.S.49:966(D)(1)(a)and(L)areherebyamendedandreenactedand R.S.
49:961(A)(1) and (2)(a) and 966(D)(1)(a) and (L) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
49:953.1, 960, and 965(C) are herebyenacted to read as follows:
49:965(C) is herebyenacted to read as follows:
§953.1.
§961.
System for notification of rulemakings A.
Procedure for adoption of rules A.(1)(a) An agency shall give notice of its intention to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule and a copy of the proposed rules at least ninety days prior to taking action on the rule.
The state register shall establish a notification system that permits users to elect to receive e-mail notification of pending rulemakings by specific title, division, chapter, or rule number.
(b) If an agency is proposing to adopt a new rule, the agency shall at the same time identify and give notice of its intention to repeal two rules of the agency in the manner provided in this Section.
B.
(2) The notice shall include all of the following:
Thesecretaryofstate,incoordinationwiththestateregister,shallprovide forbusinessesregisteredwiththesecretarytoreceivee-mailnotificationsofpending rulemakings related to regulations the business is or will be subject to, to the extent practicable.
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HLS 26RS-1163 ORIGINAL HB NO.
HLS 26RS-1163 ENGROSSED HB NO.
709 (a)(i) Astatementbytheagencyclearlydescribingtheproposedactionbeing taken.
709 §960.
(ii) If the proposed action is the adoption of a new rule, a statement by the agency identifying the two rules it intends to repeal at the same time.
Office of information and regulatory affairs A.
The Legislature of Louisiana makes the following findings:
(1) Executive branch agencies should promulgate rules onlywhen required by law, when necessary to interpret law, or when made necessary by compelling public need.
(2) Anefficientregulatoryplanningandreviewprocessisvitaltoensurethat the state's regulatory system best serves the people of Louisiana.
(3) Coordinated review of agency rulemaking is necessary to ensure that regulations are consistent with applicable law and the principles set forth in this Section, and that the decisions made byone agencydo not conflict with the policies or actions taken or planned byanother agency.
(4) The office of the governor is an appropriate agency to carry out the review function.
B.
The governor may establish in the office of the governor an office to be known as the office of information and regulatory affairs.
C.(1) Theofficeofinformationandregulatoryaffairsshallenhanceplanning and coordination with respect to both new and existing rules, to restore the integrity and legitimacy of regulatory review and oversight, to make the process more accessible and open to the public, and to make more efficient the regulatory rules promulgation process.
(2) Theofficeofinformationandregulatoryaffairs maybechargedwith the following duties:
(a) Identifying regulations that impose significant or unique burdens on governmental entities and that appear to have outlived their justification or be otherwise inconsistent with the public interest.
(b) Providingguidanceandoversighttoensurethateachagency'sregulatory actions areconsistent with applicable law and the principles set forth in this Section and do not conflict with the policies or actions of another agency.
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Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1163 ENGROSSED HB NO.
709 (c) Reviewing proposed rules prior to initiating promulgation for approval pursuanttodeadlinesestablishedbytheofficeof informationandregulatoryaffairs.
A rule adopted in accordance with R.S.
A rule adopted by an agency within a department with an appointed secretary in accordance with R.S.
49:961 shall expire on June thirtieth of the year following the year of its adoption unless legislation is enacted to continue the effectiveness of the rule to a certain date or indefinitely.
49:961 shall expire on June thirtieth of the tenth year following the year of its adoption unless legislation is enacted to continue the effectiveness of the rule to a certain date or indefinitely.
The provisions of this Act shall apply to rules proposed for adoption, amendment,orrepealand inanoticeofintentsubmittedonoraftertheeffectivedateofthis Act for publication in the Louisiana Register.
The provisions of this Act shall apply to rules proposed for adoption, amendment,orrepealand in anoticeofintent submitted onoraftertheeffectivedateofthis Act for publication in the Louisiana Register.
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Section 4.
This Act shall become effectiveupon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature Page 3 of 6 CODING:
HLS 26RS-1163 ORIGINAL HB NO.
HLS 26RS-1163 ENGROSSED HB NO.
709 Section 4.
709 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
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This Act shall become effectiveupon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
If vetoed bythe governorand subsequentlyapproved bythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.
If vetoed bythe governorand subsequentlyapprovedbythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 709 Original 2026 Regular Session Wright Abstract:
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 709 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Wright Abstract:
ProvidesfortheterminationofrulespromulgatedpursuanttotheAdministrative Procedure Act and requires oversight committees to conduct hearings on proposed rules and to review agencies' annual rulemaking reports.
Provides for the termination of rules promulgated by agencies within a department with an appointed secretary pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act;
requires oversight committees to conduct hearings on proposed rules and to review agencies' annual rulemakingreports;
requires the state register to establish a system for the notification of rulemakings and requires the secretary of state to provide rulemakingnotifications to certain businesses registered with the secretary;
and authorizes the establishment of the office of information and regulatory affairs within the office of the governor and provides for duties of the office.
Presentlawprovidesthatpriortotheadoption,amendment,orrepealofanyrule,theagency shall give notice of its intended action and specifies the content of the notice.
Proposed law further requires an agencyproposing to adopt a new rule to, at the same time, identify and give notice of its intention to repeal two rules of the agency.
Requires the agency to identify the two rules in its notice of intent for the proposed new rule.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that a rule adopted in accordance with nonemergency procedures shall expire on June 30th of the year following the year of its adoption unless legislation is enacted to continue such rule to a certain date or indefinitely.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that a rule adopted by an agency within a department with an appointed secretaryin accordancewith nonemergencyprocedures shall expire on June 30th of the 10th year following the year of its adoption unless legislation is enacted to continue such rule to a certain date or indefinitely.
Further requires each agency to submit an annual report of rulemaking activities to the appropriateoversight committee nolaterthan 30 days prior to the beginningofeachregular session.
Further requires each agency to submit an annual report of rulemaking activities to the appropriateoversight committee nolater than 30 days prior to thebeginningofeachregular session.
Present law further specifies that a standing committee Page 3 of 4 CODING:
Present law further specifies that a standing committee may, at any time, exercise the powers granted to an oversight subcommittee.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1163 ORIGINAL HB NO.
709 may, at any time, exercise the powers granted to an oversight subcommittee.
Proposedlawremovespresentlawprovisionthatspecifiesthatthefailureofasubcommittee to conduct a hearing or to make a determination regarding any rule proposed for adoption, amendment, or repealshall not affectthe validityof aruleotherwiseadopted in compliance with present law APA.
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Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1163 ENGROSSED HB NO.
709 Proposedlawremovespresentlawprovisionthatspecifiesthatthefailureofasubcommittee to conduct a hearing or to make a determination regarding any rule proposed for adoption, amendment, or repealshall not affectthevalidityof a rule otherwise adopted in compliance with present law.
Proposed law requires the state register to establish a notification system that permits users to elect to receive e-mail notification of pending rulemakings by specific title, division, chapter,orrulenumber.
Furtherprovidesthatthesecretaryofstate,incoordinationwiththe state register, shall provide for businesses registered with the secretary to receive e-mail notificationsofpendingrulemakings relatedto regulations the business is orwill besubject to, to the extent practicable.
Proposed law authorizes the governor to establish in the office of the governor an office to beknownastheofficeofinformationandregulatoryaffairs("OIRA").
ProvidesthatOIRA shall enhance planning and coordination with respect to both new and existing rules, to restore the integrity and legitimacyof regulatoryreview and oversight, to make the process more accessible and open to the public, and to make more efficient the regulatory rules promulgation process.
Proposed law provides that OIRA may have the following duties:
(1) Identifying regulations that impose significant or unique burdens on governmental entities and that appear to have outlived their justification or be otherwise inconsistent with the public interest.
(2) Providingguidanceandoversightto ensurethateachagency's regulatoryactionsare consistent with applicable law and do not conflict with the policies or actions of another agency.
(3) Reviewing proposed rules prior to initiating promulgation for approval pursuant to deadlines established by OIRA.
(Amends R.S.
(AmendsR.S.49:966(D)(1)(a)and(L);AddsR.S.49:953.1,960,and965(C);
49:961(A)(1) and (2)(a) and 966(D)(1)(a) and (L);
RepealsR.S.
Adds R.S.
49:966(E)(2)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs to the original bill:
49:965(C);
1.
Repeals R.S.
Removeproposedlawchangesrequiringanagencytogivenoticeofitsintention to repeal two rules for each rule promulgated.
49:966(E)(2)) Page 4 of 4 CODING:
2.
Limit the proposed law expiration of rules to apply only to rules of agencies within a department with an appointed secretary and provide that such rules expire after 10 years, rather than one year.
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Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1163 ENGROSSED HB NO.
709 3.
Provide for a system for the notification of rulemakings.
4.
Provide for the office of information and regulatory affairs within the office of the governor.
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Amendments

2 amendments

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Action History

  1. Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

  2. Reported with amendments (8-4).

  3. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

  4. Prefiled.

  5. Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

  6. First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 709?
HB 709 is sponsored by Mark Wright (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 709?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 27, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 709?
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