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HB 1062

SCHOOLS: Provides relative to the membership, powers, and duties of the board of directors of the Special School District

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kathy Edmonston

HB 1062 shifts the SSD board from land/facility powers to governance focus, delegating administration and textbook selection to the superintendent and tightening nomination timelin

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1062

Summary of HB 1062 (2026) – Louisiana: Special School District Board

This analysis explains the main purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural timeline of HB 1062 introduced in the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The bill concerns the governance of the Special School District and its board of directors.

Purpose and Intent

  • To amend and reenact provisions governing the membership, powers, duties, and the superintendent’s selection and evaluation within the Special School District (SSD) governance structure.
  • To revise how board members are selected (by governor from nominees) and to modify the board’s authority and administrative framework, including the role of the district superintendent.

Key Provisions (Substantive Changes)

Board Membership (Section B)

  • Eliminates the current requirement that the governor appoint at least one SSD board member from each public health region with a maximum of two members per region. In short, the geographic region representation constraint is removed.
  • Maintains the process whereby officials and organizations submit lists of nominees to the governor, but the submission deadline is specified:
    • Lists of nominees must be submitted by August 1 of each year.

Board Powers and Duties (Section D)

  • The bill changes several enumerated powers of the SSD board:
    • Remove authority to purchase land and equipment, make improvements to facilities, lease land or property, and sell or exchange land or immovable property (these powers are deleted from the board’s authorities).
    • Retain authority to adopt rules, regulations, and policies for board governance.
    • Remove the explicit authority to award certificates and diplomas (the current text’s reference to diplomas is removed from the board’s powers).
    • Retain the ability to enter into contracts/agreements for cooperative educational purposes and programs, subject to applicable law and appropriations. Also allows contracts for recruiting to hire a new district superintendent under the Louisiana Procurement Code.
    • Preserve other governance-related functions as necessary for the district.

Textbooks and Instructional Materials (Section E)

  • Replaces the former requirement that the SSD prescribe and select free instructional materials with a mandate that the board authorize the district superintendent to select free textbooks and instructional materials for students, based on Louisiana Department of Education guidelines.

Superintendent Selection and Evaluation (Section E)

  • The board must select a superintendent who serves as the chief administrative officer and administers board policies.
  • The board will delegate appropriate powers to the superintendent for efficient administration.
  • The bill requires an annual evaluation of the superintendent.
  • Allows a designee of the superintendent to perform administrative functions, duties, and needs of the board.

Repeals

  • Repeals four subsections of R.S. 17:1945.1(D)(5)–(D)(8), which previously outlined certain board authorities (notably including land purchases, leases, sales, and related activities).

Who/What Is Affected

  • The Special School District and its governance structure.
  • The SSD board of directors (membership composition, appointment process, and powers).
  • The district superintendent (appointment and evaluation process; delegation of duties to a designee).
  • Officials/organizations that nominate board candidates (due August 1 annually).
  • State procurement process for hiring the district superintendent (via the Louisiana Procurement Code).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Nominee lists must be submitted to the Governor by August 1 each year (new deadline emphasis).
  • The bill amends and reenacts specific provisions of R.S. 17:1945.1 and repeals certain subsections, signaling a governance reform rather than a routine rewrite.
  • The bill has passed the House with favorable votes and moved through the standard committee process before final passage.

Summary Observation

HB 1062 shifts the SSD governance away from a board with broad land and facility authorities to a more streamlined board focused on governance and policy, with key operational responsibilities (like textbook selection and district administration) delegated to the superintendent. It also alters geographic representation requirements and tightens nomination timelines. The reform appears aimed at clarifying duties, accelerating administrative processes, and aligning instructional material decisions with the state guidelines.

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

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