NFIB State Director Leah Long today thanked Louisiana lawmakers for advancing key small business priorities during the 2026 Regular Session, including legislation to modernize the state’s workers’ compensation system and create a new workforce training program.

Lawmakers adjourned the 2026 session this afternoon after approving Senate Bill 408 and House Bill 549, two measures strongly supported by NFIB and Louisiana’s small business community.

“Small business owners spoke clearly about the challenges they face, and lawmakers listened,” Long said. “This session produced meaningful reforms that will help employers manage costs, find skilled workers, and continue creating jobs in communities across Louisiana.”

Senate Bill 408 lays the groundwork for modernizing Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system. The legislation maintains the current medical reimbursement schedule while requiring the Office of Workers’ Compensation to collect and analyze detailed billing, payment, utilization, and access-to-care data. It also advances several long-discussed improvements, including a transition toward electronic billing, stronger data collection, clearer timelines, and greater transparency throughout the system.

“SB 408 is an important step toward a more modern and accountable workers’ comp system,” Long said. “By improving data collection and transparency, lawmakers will have the information they need to make future decisions based on facts and real-world experience. Our small business members want a system that helps injured workers while providing predictability for employers, and this legislation moves Louisiana in that direction.”

House Bill 549 creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, known as BayouWorks. The program awards competitive grants to businesses that partner with qualified training providers to help workers build skills and earn industry-recognized credentials.

“Finding and keeping skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses,” Long said. “BayouWorks gives employers a practical tool to train workers quickly and effectively. It puts training dollars where they’re needed most and helps businesses build the workforce they need to grow.”

She also thanked lawmakers for defending Main Street businesses against attempts to impose new costly labor, wage and regulatory mandates that would have discouraged growth, increased red tape and driven up the cost of doing business in Louisiana.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Louisiana’s economy,” Long said. “The progress made this session will help employers spend less time dealing with obstacles and more time serving customers, growing their businesses and creating jobs.”