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Bill

SB 399

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council. (1/1/27) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bacala and 14 co-sponsors

Establishes Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to oversee research security policies at state colleges and universities, with unclear funding and governance scope.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 505.
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Bill Summary · SB 399

Legislative bill overview

SB 399 establishes the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council, a new governing body tasked with overseeing research security protocols at Louisiana's colleges and universities. The council would likely develop policies and standards to protect research integrity, intellectual property, and sensitive information at state higher education institutions.

Why is this important

Research security has become a national priority, particularly regarding protection of intellectual property, prevention of foreign espionage, and safeguarding sensitive academic work. Creating a coordinated state-level council could strengthen institutional compliance with federal research security requirements and protect Louisiana universities' competitive advantages in research funding and innovation.

Potential points of contention

  • Governance and authority: Unclear how much power the council has over individual institutions and whether it creates bureaucratic redundancy with existing university oversight structures
  • Funding implications: The bill notes potential General Fund expenditure increases, raising questions about startup costs and ongoing operational expenses during budget constraints
  • Academic freedom concerns: Defining "research security" requires careful balance to prevent overly restrictive policies that could chill legitimate academic collaboration and international scholarly exchange
  • Implementation details: The bill provides limited specifics on council composition, appointment procedures, enforcement mechanisms, and how it coordinates with federal research security regulations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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