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INTRODUCTION
Organizing a Day at the Capitol is an opportunity to bring community voices directly to the halls of power. It creates space for education, advocacy, and relationship building between residents and lawmakers. It is not just about one issue but about advancing a broader vision for justice, equity, and progress.
The Capitol can feel overwhelming at first, but when we show up together, we remind legislators that our communities are engaged, informed, and ready to act. A Day at the Capitol offers a chance to
• Raise awareness about critical issues impacting our communities
• Build relationships with policymakers and legislative staff
• Empower community members with the tools and confidence to advocate for themselves
• Shape the narrative around what real, people-centered policy should look like
This guide is designed to help you plan an effective, organized, and impactful Day at the Capitol. Whether you are bringing ten people or one hundred, the key is preparation, a clear purpose, and making sure every voice is heard and valued.
Change does not happen overnight or only within government buildings, but our collective presence inside these halls can be a powerful catalyst for the future we are building every day in our communities.
Angele J. DeLarge
Black Voters Matter, Louisiana Regional Organizer
Melonie Saulsbery
Black Voters Matter, Louisiana Regional Organizer
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Table of Contents
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Agenda
9:00 A.M. — 10:00 A.M.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS (must come early)
Location: Committee Meeting Rooms: Click Here For Meetings And Links to Agendas.
10:00 A.M. — 11:30 A.M.
WELCOME AND ORIENTATION
Location: Louisiana State Library, Seminar Room
11:30 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
WALK TO STATE CAPITOL STEPS
Location: Library to Capitol
12:00 P.M. — 1:00 P.M.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Location: Capitol Steps
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
CAPITOL TOUR AND LEGISLATOR MEETINGS
Location: Capitol Building and Chambers
3:00 P.M. — 3:30 P.M.
BUS BOARDING AND DEPARTURE
Location: Library Parking Lot
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Committee Meeting Schedule
HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
WAYS AND MEANS: Mon 4/28 9:00 a.m. | Room 6
Handles state revenue, taxation, bonds, and financial matters impacting the state budget.
Handles state revenue, taxation, bonds, and financial matters impacting the state budget.
APPROPRIATIONS: Mon 4/28 9:30 a.m. | Room 5
Oversees the allocation of state funds and monitors government spending through the state budget.
Oversees the allocation of state funds and monitors government spending through the state budget.
CIVIL LAW AND PROCEDURE: Mon 4/28 9:30 a.m. | Room 4
Focuses on laws related to property, contracts, family law, and civil legal processes in Louisiana.
Focuses on laws related to property, contracts, family law, and civil legal processes in Louisiana.
COMMERCE: Mon 4/28 9:30 a.m. | Room 1
Deals with business regulations, economic development, insurance, banking, and consumer protection.
Deals with business regulations, economic development, insurance, banking, and consumer protection.
TRANSPORTATION, HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC WORKS: Mon 4/28 9:30 a.m. | Room 3
Covers issues related to roads, bridges, transportation infrastructure, ports, and public construction projects.
Covers issues related to roads, bridges, transportation infrastructure, ports, and public construction projects.
Senate COMMITTEE MEETINGS
REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS: Mon 4/28 10:00 a.m. | John J. Hainkel, Jr. Room
Reviews and makes recommendations on state tax policies, fiscal matters, and overall economic health.
Reviews and makes recommendations on state tax policies, fiscal matters, and overall economic health.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR CAPITOL VISIT
GETTING TO THE CAPITOL
- Directions and a Capitol map are available at www.house.louisiana.gov under "Citizens Guide."
- You may park in any area without a reserved sign or orange cone.
ENTERING THE CAPITOL
- Enter through the main entrance (front doors at the top of the steps) or the side doors (ground level below the main steps).
- All visitors must proceed through security screening.
- Limit items that may delay entry, such as extra jewelry and large bags.
- No weapons of any kind are allowed inside the Capitol building.
ATTENDING A COMMITTEE MEETING
- House committee meetings are held in Committee Rooms 1-6.
- Rooms 1 & 2 are located on the ground floor in Bigby Hall.
- Rooms 3-6 are located in Alario Hall down a set of steps at the end of Bigby Hall. An elevator is available.
- Senate Committee Rooms A-B, C, E, and F are located on the ground floor in Duval Hall.
- Access to the John Hainkel Committee Room is down a set of steps at the end of Duval Hall. An elevator is available.
- You may not approach the desk to speak to committee members.
- Please place ALL cell phones and other electronic devices on vibrate mode.
- You may take phone calls in the hallway only, not in committee rooms.
- Food and drinks are prohibited in committee hallways and committee rooms.
Convenience
- Restrooms and vending machines are available near the elevators on the ground floor.
- Water fountains are available in Bigby Hall.
- In Alario Hall, restrooms and water fountains are located in the main hallway.
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PARTICIPATING IN Committee Meetings
The committee process gives you the opportunity to inform legislators about your position on pending legislation. However, because of time limits and the number of people who may want to testify, it is recommended that groups appoint a spokesperson when possible.
HOW TO REGISTER SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION
- You have the option to testify but you do not have to speak in committee to register your position.
- Use a Witness Card to express your position regardless of your choice to speak.
- Cards are available on the witness tables in the committee room and overflow areas.
GREEN CARDS INDICATE SUPPORT FOR A BILL
RED CARDS INDICATE OPPOSITION TO A BILL
Steps to Fill Out a Witness Card:
- Carefully read and fill out the front and back of the card.
- Indicate whether you wish to testify by checking the appropriate box.
- You must complete a separate card for each bill you wish to support or oppose.
- Sign the card.
- Submit the completed card to a designated staff member or sergeant-at-arms.
- If you wish to speak, you must check the box on the card requesting to testify.
IF YOU WISH TO TESTIFY, REMEMBER...
- Notify the committee chair or secretary before the meeting starts if you want to testify.
- Fill out, sign, and check the box requesting to testify on a red or green witness card depending on your position.
- Understand you will be under oath once you sign the witness card and begin testifying.
- State your full name and the group, organization, or company you represent (if any).
- Keep your remarks brief, focused, and respectful as time may be limited.
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Capitol Park Map
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Commitee Meeting Room Map
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Disability Access Map
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Issue One Pagers
Our work is rooted in the deep understanding that injustice is not accidental but the result of systems built over generations to deny true freedom, equity, and opportunity. The work of dismantling those systems requires that we confront not just individual policies, but the broader structures that continue to harm our communities.
The following issue briefs provide important historical context, key facts, and recommendations across five critical areas:
- VOTING RIGHTS PROTECTION
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
- HEALTHCARE EQUITY
- ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
- ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Each brief highlights the persistent barriers Black Louisianians face and offers clear, actionable solutions to move us toward a future rooted in fairness, dignity, and liberation.
We encourage you to use these materials when engaging legislators, speaking with the media, or educating others about the urgent need for change. Each conversation you have today and each action you inspire will help push us closer to a Louisiana that fully honors the humanity, dreams, and futures of all its people.
Together, we fight not only to resist injustice, but to reimagine what is possible.
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PARTNER BILL REVIEWS
Our collective fight is not confined to one issue or one arena. It stretches across every system that touches our lives from the courts to the ballot box, from our healthcare to the air we breathe, from our neighborhoods to our workplaces. The policies we advocate for today are essential steps toward building the just, thriving Louisiana our communities deserve.
The following bills have been highlighted by partner organizations as bills that represent key opportunities or concerns across the critical areas of:
- VOTING RIGHTS
- JUSTICE
- HEALTHCARE
- ENVIRONMENT
- ECONOMICS
We encourage you to use this information to inform your legislative visits, to anchor your conversations, and to energize our broader movement for change. Every voice raised, every meeting held, every floor note submitted is part of a larger effort to dismantle what harms us and build what will sustain us.
Together, we are not simply advocating for policy changes, we are claiming our right to a future rooted in fairness, freedom, and the full dignity of every person.
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I. Voting Rights
Potential to Strengthen Voting Rights
- HB 332 adjusts the campaign-free zone radius around polling places; we see potential because it protects voters from intimidation and helps ensure a safe voting environment.
- HB 405 requires the Secretary of State to publish changes in election law; we see potential because it increases transparency and keeps voters informed about their rights.
- HB 424 enhances early voting procedures by expanding early voting locations; we see potential because it makes voting more accessible, especially for rural and underserved communities.
- HB 223 increases compensation for election workers; we see potential because it helps recruit and retain qualified poll workers, improving election administration.
- HB 471 requires constitutional amendments to address only a single subject; we see potential because it ensures voters have a clear understanding of each issue on the ballot.
Potential Threats to Voting Rights
- HB 364 expands the Public Service Commission by adding at-large gubernatorial appointments; we are concerned because it threatens district-based accountability and could weaken voter representation.
- HB 323 consolidates municipal and school board elections with gubernatorial elections; we are concerned because it could depress local election turnout and reduce community control over school boards and local government.
- HB 420 sets new standards for political party recognition; we are concerned because it risks silencing emerging parties and grassroots movements representing marginalized communities.
- HB 532 allows bond, debt, and tax elections on new Saturdays; we are concerned because it could lower voter turnout and limit public input on important fiscal decisions impacting local communities.
- HB 625 calls for a special statewide election for constitutional amendments; we are concerned because special elections often suppress turnout among low-income and marginalized voters, leading to unrepresentative outcomes.
- HB 281 bans campaign apparel at polling places; we are concerned because without clear enforcement protections, it risks being weaponized to intimidate or exclude voters from marginalized groups.
- SB 80 restricts who can conduct exit polling at polling places; we are concerned because it limits the collection of independent voter experience data, potentially masking problems in marginalized precincts.
- HB 206 requires legislative approval for election procedure changes; we are concerned because it politicizes election administration and could block local efforts to expand access to voting.
- HB 64 expands the Attorney General's control over state legal matters; we are concerned because it could centralize partisan control over election-related legal challenges, harming local voting protections.
- HB 502 adjusts oversight for registrars of voters; we are concerned because it could be used to punish election officials who work to expand access for marginalized voters if politicized.
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II. Justice
Potential to Advance Justice
- HB 68 allows defendants who received severe sentences like life imprisonment or the death penalty for a first capital offense to ask for a reduced sentence if they meet certain conditions, such as showing mental health issues or medical conditions.
- HB 277 amends Louisiana's pretrial procedures to ensure timely legal processes and enhance the rights of indigent defendants by mandating prompt appointment of counsel.
- HB 457 provides access to educational materials while in solitary confinement.
- HB 487 provides for the redistricting of the Louisiana Senate into 39 districts based on the 2020 census, effective for the 2027 elections and fully effective by January 10, 2028, without reducing current officeholders' terms.
- HB 488 establishes new district boundaries for the Louisiana House of Representatives based on the 2020 census, effective for the 2027 elections and fully effective by January 10, 2028, without reducing current officeholders' terms.
- HB 215 proposes exceptions to Louisiana's abortion laws for pregnancies resulting from certain sex offenses against minors, without requiring police reports or prosecutions.
- SB 46 bans chemical releases meant to alter the environment's temperature; we see potential because it stops risky geoengineering experiments that could harm health and ecosystems.
Potential Threats to Justice
- HB 101 blocks innocent people from getting wrongful conviction compensation and would abolish the fund to compensate innocent people.
- HB 193 changes the prison grievance process in a way meant to make it harder to litigate against execution methods.
- HB 208 amends parole and sentence diminution eligibility, extending the required period without major disciplinary offenses to 36 months, and introduces changes to parole terms and conditions, including the repeal of certain credit provisions.
- HB 344 threatens the confidentiality of juvenile court proceedings by allowing school principals to access court records, contributing to the criminalization of children.
- HB 364 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the LPSC from five to seven members by adding two at-large positions appointed by the governor.
- HB 421 requires the abolition of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Louisiana state agencies and mandates reporting on compliance and recommendations for further action.
- HB 445 proposes to include juvenile records in criminal history information and supports the creation of interoperable criminal justice systems, potentially harming the confidentiality of juvenile records.
- HB 572 guts and complicates the post-conviction process for incarcerated people.
- SB 39 blocks people who have been incarcerated past their release dates from suing DOC.
- SB 74 redefines the jurisdiction of juvenile and district courts over juvenile cases in Louisiana, specifying age-based criteria for court jurisdiction and removing prosecutorial discretion in certain felony cases, effective August 1, 2025.
- SB 95 expands the use of ankle monitors on children and strengthens the school-to-prison pipeline.
- SB 127 fast-tracks permits for advanced nuclear power; we are concerned because it exposes communities to radioactive risks without real public input or safety guarantees.
- SB 36 expands carbon sequestration projects; we are concerned because it locks communities into dangerous pollution schemes disguised as climate solutions.
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III. Healthcare
Potential to Strengthen Healthcare Outcomes
- SB 182 eases Medicaid prior authorization during emergencies; we see potential because it helps people access critical healthcare without dangerous delays.
- SB 223 establishes the Retail Service Worker Health and Safety Act; we see potential because it protects frontline workers in vulnerable industries from unsafe conditions.
- HB 354 requires chemical testing in drinking water; we see potential because it protects communities by identifying and preventing harmful exposures.
- HB 316 modernizes the Drug Policy Board; we see potential because it updates outdated structures and supports more responsive drug policy coordination.
- HB 359 expands mental health services for survivors of human trafficking; we see potential because it provides critical trauma-informed care to a vulnerable population.
- HB 454 requires Medicaid to cover doula services; we see potential because it improves birth outcomes and addresses maternal health disparities, especially for Black mothers.
- HB 619 updates protections for group and community homes; we see potential because it strengthens services and safeguards for vulnerable populations.
Potential Threats to Healthcare Outcomes
- SB 2 repeals water fluoridation programs; we are concerned because it would eliminate a proven public health measure and worsen health disparities in low-income communities.
- SB 156 grants legal rights to in vitro fertilized embryos; we are concerned because it threatens access to fertility treatments, abortion care, and miscarriage management.
- HB 377 allows individuals to refuse FDA Emergency Use Authorization drugs; we are concerned because it undermines public health responses during emergencies like pandemics.
- HB 506 defines in vitro fertilized embryos as viable unless proven otherwise; we are concerned because it advances personhood frameworks that could severely restrict reproductive healthcare.
- HB 555 prohibits discrimination based on medical intervention status; we are concerned because it weakens public health protections against preventable diseases.
- HB 575 creates new civil penalties related to pregnancy terminations; we are concerned because it criminalizes essential reproductive healthcare and intimidates patients and providers.
Watch
- SB 130 provides changes to Medicaid; we urge caution because without full transparency, the bill could restrict healthcare access for low-income individuals by tightening eligibility, cutting services, or creating new barriers to enrollment, threatening critical health coverage for Louisiana's most vulnerable populations.
- HB 265 adjusts employment restrictions for ambulance drivers with criminal convictions; we urge caution because while supporting rehabilitation is important, the bill could allow individuals with serious or violent offenses to transport vulnerable patients, raising public safety concerns if appropriate safeguards are not maintained.
- HB 400 alters rules around minors' ability to consent to medical care; we urge caution because it could impose new barriers that prevent young people, including those facing abuse, homelessness, or family rejection, from accessing essential healthcare like mental health services, reproductive care, and vaccinations when they need it most.
- HB 478 mandates that schools distribute information about pregnancy, adoption, and neonatal care; we urge caution because it could result in biased, incomplete materials that pressure students toward carrying pregnancies to term without providing full, unbiased information about all available healthcare options, including contraception and abortion access.
- HB 559 reorganizes Louisiana's human services districts under centralized state control; we urge caution because it risks removing local authority and responsiveness, leading to bureaucratic delays and cookie-cutter approaches that fail to meet the specific mental health, disability, and addiction care needs of diverse communities.
- HB 629 redefines informed consent for medical interventions; we urge caution because it could be used to create unnecessary legal hurdles that delay or block access to critical healthcare, especially reproductive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and public health interventions, under the pretext of "protecting patient rights."
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V. Environment
Potential to Strengthen Environmental Protections
- HB 354 requires chemical testing in drinking water; we see potential because it protects communities by identifying and preventing harmful exposures.
- HB 380 removes eminent domain authority for CO₂ sequestration; we see potential because it defends property rights and prevents forced unsafe projects.
- HB 396 declares carbon dioxide sequestration illegal; we see potential because it stops dangerous projects that threaten groundwater, air, and public safety.
- HB 522 places a moratorium on carbon sequestration; we see potential because it provides critical time to assess safety risks before new projects proceed.
- HB 537 authorizes liens for victims of CO₂ pipeline disasters; we see potential because it strengthens legal protections for communities harmed by industrial accidents.
Potential Threats to Environmental Protections
- HB 78 authorizes Allen Parish to permit CO₂ wells; we are concerned because it risks unsafe projects without strong community protections.
- HB 250 authorizes Vernon Parish to permit CO₂ wells; we are concerned because it could expose residents to environmental and health risks.
- HB 251 authorizes Beauregard Parish to permit CO₂ wells; we are concerned because it prioritizes industry interests over public health safeguards.
- HB 4 allows parishes statewide to decide on CO₂ wells; we are concerned because it could lead to unsafe projects without informed community consent.
- HB 494 regulates petroleum transport facilities; we are concerned because it risks weakening oversight and increasing toxic exposure in vulnerable communities.
- HB 583 defines "reliable" and "clean" energy; we are concerned because it could favor fossil fuels and worsen pollution in frontline communities.
- HB 491 creates tax credits for CO₂ sequestration projects; we are concerned because it incentivizes dangerous development even after local bans.
- HB 459 requires state permits for renewable energy; we are concerned because it slows clean energy growth and prolongs pollution in impacted areas.
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IV. Fiscal
Potential to Strengthen Economic Security
- HB 133 increases the earned income tax credit; we see potential because it helps reduce poverty, supports working families, and strengthens local economies.
- HB 294 repeals the limit on severance tax revenues to parishes; we see potential because it directs more money back to communities most impacted by extraction industries.
- HB 337 establishes an income tax credit for families with dependents under six; we see potential because it provides meaningful economic relief for young families.
- HB 489 creates a two-bracket state income tax system; we see potential because it makes Louisiana's tax structure more progressive and ensures higher earners pay a fairer share.
- SB 28 creates a tax credit for homeowners installing fortified roofs; we see potential because it helps working families protect homes against disasters and rising insurance costs.
- SB 52 exempts disaster resilience grants from state income tax; we see potential because it makes disaster preparedness more accessible for vulnerable households.
Potential Threats to Economic Security
- HB 283 limits recurring revenue appropriations; we are concerned because it could restrict critical funding for healthcare, education, housing, and services needed by low-income communities.
- HB 295 constitutionally limits recurring revenue appropriations; we are concerned because it locks in fiscal barriers that prevent investment in essential public services.
- HB 333 gradually eliminates the individual income tax; we are concerned because it benefits the wealthy, guts state revenues, and shifts tax burdens onto low- and middle-income residents.
- HB 341 repeals the film tax credit and reduces income taxes; we are concerned because it reduces funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure that marginalized communities rely on.
- HB 464 limits solar facilities' eligibility for tax exemptions; we are concerned because it blocks investment in clean energy needed for environmental justice and public health.
- SB 149 repeals the earned income tax credit; we are concerned because it would increase poverty and deepen racial and economic inequality across Louisiana.
- HB 334 repeals one percent of the state sales tax; we are concerned because it risks severe cuts to public services without proposing fair, progressive replacements.
- HB 513 creates a framework for alternative installment loans; we are concerned because if poorly regulated, it could allow predatory lending practices that target vulnerable borrowers.
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