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LouisianaSB 2102025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

MUSEUMS: Provides relative to state museums. (8/1/25) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Sponsored By: Heather Cloud (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Municipal, Parochial and Cultural AffairsEducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Louisiana museums expand history and standards

Beginning August 1, 2025, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame includes the Northwest Louisiana History Museum under the state museum office. Its purpose includes preserving and sharing Northwest Louisiana’s history and culture. The Civil Rights Museum Advisory Board must follow American Alliance of Museums standards in carrying out its duties. The law also repeals R.S. 25:351, 25:352, 25:380.11, and 36:801.8. The supplied text does not explain those repealed laws, so their effects on services are unclear.

White historic site can accept gifts

Beginning August 1, 2025, the museum office may seek and accept money, government grants, donations, and property for the Edward Douglass White Historic Site. It may buy or lease property and make agreements with donors or lenders. Acquisitions remain subject to the terms and limits in the documents used to acquire them. The site may also benefit from a qualifying public trust.

Owners face museum property claim deadlines

Beginning August 1, 2025, unclaimed property held by the Louisiana State Museum for more than 10 years can become museum property. The museum must publish notice at least weekly for two consecutive weeks in a general-circulation newspaper in the facility’s parish. Owners must make a valid claim within 65 days after the second notice. Otherwise, the property is deemed abandoned and belongs to the museum office.

State museums can charge visitor fees

Beginning August 1, 2025, the assistant secretary may set admission, tour, and user fees for public museum buildings and exhibits. User fees must reflect actual space maintenance costs and local market rates for similar spaces. The law does not set fee amounts or require fees.

Lower Pontalba rentals require applicant screening

Beginning August 1, 2025, the museum office may rent Lower Pontalba residential space without public bidding. It may hire a qualified property manager, and applications are judged on financial qualifications or prior lease experience. The office must post notice on the department website and give people a reasonable chance to apply. Public agencies may also use the space for a public purpose that benefits the Louisiana State Museum.

Businesses can lease historic museum spaces

Beginning August 1, 2025, the museum office may lease commercial space in Lower Pontalba and other French Quarter properties it controls. It may lease without public bidding or hire a qualified property manager. Leases must follow a board-approved usage plan that protects historic character and sets application criteria; mineral development is barred. The office must post public notice on the department website and give applicants a reasonable chance to apply. Each lease needs attorney general approval for form and legality.

Museum loans change school access rules

Beginning August 1, 2025, state museum and Edward Douglass White Historic Site collections may be lent under board-approved policies. The museum office must safeguard state museum loans, maintain items, arrange returns, and keep records; the board oversees historic-site loan safeguards. The law removes the state museum’s express requirement to make collections available for educational projects. Historic-site collections remain available for educational projects with board approval.

Museums gain collection removal powers

Beginning August 1, 2025, the museum office may permanently remove items from state museum and Edward Douglass White Historic Site collections. These actions are exempt from state surplus-property disposal laws, and the board must set policies for using this authority. State museum removal policies and collection duties must follow American Alliance of Museums standards unless another law says otherwise. The authority gives museums more management flexibility but allows items to leave their collections. The historic-site provision sets no item limit or required use for sale proceeds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Heather Cloud

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 2

House vote • 6/2/2025

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Reported favorably

Yes: 13 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/7/2025

Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 450.

    6/20/2025Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2025.

    6/20/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    6/11/2025Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    6/11/2025House

  5. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    6/11/2025Senate

  6. Called from the Calendar.

    6/10/2025Senate

  7. Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

    6/3/2025Senate

  8. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    6/2/2025House

  9. Received from the House with amendments.

    6/2/2025Senate

  10. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/28/2025House

  11. Scheduled for floor debate on 06/02/2025.

    5/28/2025House

  12. Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/27/2025House

  13. Reported favorably (13-2). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/22/2025House

  14. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.

    5/8/2025House

  15. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/7/2025Senate

  16. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    5/7/2025House

  17. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/5/2025Senate

  18. Reported with amendments.

    4/30/2025Senate

  19. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Education.

    4/14/2025Senate

  20. Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Education.

    4/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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