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Bill

SB 307

PUBLIC BUILDINGS/GROUNDS: Authorizes the educational display of the Ten Commandments as a historical document and monument. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roy Adams and 33 co-sponsors

Louisiana bill authorizes Ten Commandments displays in public buildings framed as historical documents, though courts have repeatedly blocked similar measures as unconstitutional.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 487.
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Bill Summary · SB 307

Legislative bill overview

SB 307 authorizes Louisiana public buildings and grounds to display the Ten Commandments as a historical document and monument. The bill frames this display within an educational context rather than a religious one, allowing state institutions to include this text in exhibits or public spaces.

Why is this important

This bill directly addresses the intersection of religious expression and public property—a legally contentious area. Courts have repeatedly struck down Ten Commandments displays in public buildings, most notably in the 2005 Supreme Court case McCreary County v. ACLU, making this legislation's constitutionality a significant practical concern for municipalities and schools considering such displays.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional concerns: Federal courts have consistently ruled against Ten Commandments displays in public buildings as violating the Establishment Clause, potentially making this law unenforceable and costly to defend in litigation
  • "Historical document" framing: Whether the Ten Commandments can legally be presented as primarily historical/educational versus religious remains disputed; critics argue this framing is pretextual
  • Implementation ambiguity: The bill lacks specific guidelines on display context, size, accompanying materials, or location, creating uncertainty for institutions about compliant implementation

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

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