Louisiana SB488: SCHOOLS: Creates the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program to supplement school crisis management and response plans. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

What the bill says

An act To enact R.S. 17:416.16.2, relative to school crisis management and response plans; to provide for the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program; to establish eligibility to participate in the pilot program; to provide for administration of the program; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To enact R.S. 17:416.16.2, relative to school crisis management and response plans; to provide for the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program; to establish eligibility to participate in the pilot program; to provide for administration of the program; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 17:416.16.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §416.16.2. School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program A.(1) The state Department of Education may establish a School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program to evaluate the use of drone technology as a supplement to existing school safety and law enforcement response protocols at each city, parish, and other local public schools. (2) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Schools shall establish criteria for participation by each city, parish, and other local public schools. (3) The department may choose a vendor to operate the pilot program and provide the drone response technology. B. The program shall be conducted as part of the crisis management and Page 1 of Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SLS 26RS-1471 ORIGINAL SB NO. response plan in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 17:416.16. C. Each city, parish, and other local public schools shall be eligible to participate …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Edmonds, Rick (R, 6) · primary sponsor
• Amedée, Beryl (R, 51)
• Broussard, Reese (R, 37)
• Carlson, Josh (R, 43)
• Carver, Kim (R, 89)
• Landry Jr., Terry (D, 67)
• Schlegel, Laurie (R, 82)
• St. Blanc III, Vincent (R, 50)

Latest actions

1. May 29, 2026: Effective date 8/1/2026.
2. May 29, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 521.
3. May 26, 2026: Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
4. May 26, 2026: Signed by the Speaker of the House.
5. May 26, 2026: Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
6. May 25, 2026: Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays.
7. May 19, 2026: Received from the House with amendments.
8. May 19, 2026: Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 90, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
9. May 18, 2026: Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.
10. May 18, 2026: Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

Votes

• Senate Vote on SB 488, CONCUR (#1189) (May 25, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote on SB 488, FINAL PASSAGE (#1394) (May 19, 2026): 90 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on SB 488, FINAL PASSAGE (#559) (May 5, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB488?

SB488 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): SCHOOLS: Creates the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program to supplement school crisis management and response plans. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX).

What does SB488 do?

In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 17:416.16.2, relative to school crisis management and response plans; to provide for the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program; to establish eligibility to participate in the pilot program; to provide for administration of the program; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of SB488?

Signed into law as of May 29, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 8/1/2026. (May 29, 2026).

Who sponsored SB488?

Edmonds, Rick (R, 6), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB488?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=SB488