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Bill

SR 203

EMPLOYMENT: Creates the Louisiana Livable Wage Task Force.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow

Creates a temporary task force to study Louisiana’s cost of living and wage gaps and recommend policies for a livable wage.

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time by title and adopted.
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Bill Summary · SR 203

Summary of SR 203 (Louisiana) – 2026 Regular Session

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Louisiana Livable Wage Task Force to study the cost of living in Louisiana and make policy recommendations aimed at improving economic security for workers and families.
  • Aims to address the gap between current wages (Louisiana’s minimum wage tied to federal $7.25/hour) and the cost of living, with the goal of supporting stable housing, childcare, health care, transportation, nutrition, education, and overall economic participation.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of the Louisiana Livable Wage Task Force (the “task force”).
  • Mandated scope of work:
    1. Assess cost of living in urban, suburban, and rural Louisiana.
    2. Analyze the gap between current wages and cost of living.
    3. Study impacts on businesses, workers, and local economies.
    4. Solicit input from employees, employers, economists, community organizations, and local governments.
    5. Recommend policies to improve economic security.
    6. Identify policies and practices that promote economic self-sufficiency and workforce stability.
    7. Submit findings and recommendations for legislative, administrative, or other policy actions necessary to adopt a livable wage in Louisiana.
  • Composition of the task force:
    • Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.
    • Louisiana Senate member representing Senate District 15.
    • Secretary of Louisiana Workforce, or designee.
    • Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, or designee.
    • One member appointed by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI).
    • One member appointed by AFL-CIO.
    • One member appointed by the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership.
    • Two members who are low-wage worker representatives. -Appointment deadlines:
    • Each appointing authority must submit its appointee’s name to the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations by August 1, 2026. -Operational timelines:
    • The task force must hold its first meeting by September 1, 2026 (at the chairman’s call) and elect officers at that meeting.
    • If the first meeting is not convened by September 1, 2026, the task force is deemed terminated.
  • Support and operations:
    • Senate Labor and Industrial Relations staff provide administrative support.
    • A quorum requires a majority of members; official actions require a majority vote of those present.
    • Members serve without salary, with eligibility for per diem or expenses as provided by their appointing organizations.
  • Reporting and termination:
    • The task force must produce a written report of findings and recommendations no later than March 1, 2027, to Louisiana Works and the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations (as required by law).
    • The task force terminates upon submission of its report or March 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
  • Communication:
    • A copy of the resolution is to be transmitted to the relevant state departments, appointing entities, LABI, AFL-CIO, and the Senate committee.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies: Louisiana Workforce (Louisiana Works) and the Louisiana Economic Development departments, through staffing and reporting requirements.
  • Employers and business groups: represented by LABI and other industry stakeholders on the task force.
  • Labor organizations and workers: two low-wage worker representatives will participate.
  • Broader Louisiana workforce and communities: findings and eventual policy recommendations could influence wage standards, labor policy, and economic programs statewide.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Joint resolution creating a temporary, advisory task force with a defined lifecycle.
  • Appointments due by August 1, 2026; first meeting by September 1, 2026.
  • Final report due by March 1, 2027, with termination of the task force upon completion.
  • Administrative support provided by the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations staff.
  • No automatic wage increase or statutory change is enacted by SR 203 itself; the bill creates a study body to inform potential future policy actions.

Potential impact (informational)

  • By assessing regional cost of living and wage gaps, the task force could provide data-driven recommendations on livable wage policies in Louisiana.
  • Recommendations could influence future legislative or administrative actions related to wages, economic development, and social welfare.
  • The structure ensures representation from government, business, labor, and low-wage workers to balance perspectives.

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

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