Louisiana lawmakers will open the 2026 legislative session Monday with strong momentum and a long list of priorities. State Senator Brach Myers says leadership and better communication across state government have helped align lawmakers on key issues.
Myers, who moved from the House to the Senate after a special election last year, says the legislature now shows a stronger sense of direction than in previous years.
“We’ve got a lot of people focused on the big priorities,” Myers said. “From the governor to legislative leadership to department heads, everyone is working toward the same goals.”
He credits leaders such as Governor Jeff Landry, Senate President Cameron Henry, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, and several agency heads for creating that focus. Regular communication between lawmakers and state officials has helped keep policy efforts coordinated.
Major Issues Expected This Legislative Session
Lawmakers have already pre-filed more than 1,300 bills ahead of the session. That number could climb closer to 1,600 once legislators introduce additional measures.
Myers expects several major issues to dominate debate, including:
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Carbon capture policy
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Pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform
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Workforce and economic development
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Healthcare policy changes
He says legislators must carefully review every proposal because even small policy changes can affect thousands of people.
“When you vote on a bill, you’re affecting real lives,” Myers said. “That means long nights reading through legislation.”
Workers’ Compensation Reform Tops Myers’ Agenda
Myers plans to introduce a major workers’ compensation reform bill during the session. The proposal would modernize Louisiana’s system, which he says has gone largely unchanged for decades.
His plan includes creating an electronic portal to manage claims, reducing litigation, and updating fee schedules. The reforms would roll out over five years to avoid disruptions in healthcare access.
“The system hasn’t had a real update in about 30 years,” Myers said. “We want to modernize it without creating new problems.”
Bills Address Healthcare and Broadband Expansion
Myers has also introduced several healthcare-related bills. One proposal would allow emergency medical personnel to administer life-saving medication in cases where current law limits their authority.
Another bill would remove restrictions that limit the expansion of Lafayette’s LFT Fiber network. Myers says outdated laws still restrict broadband growth in nearby communities.
The senator believes modernizing those rules could help bring high-speed internet to more rural areas.
With dozens of bills and major policy debates ahead, Myers expects the 2026 legislative session to move quickly once lawmakers return to the Capitol next week.