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LouisianaSB 4012026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

PHARMACEUTICALS: Provides for a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. (8/1/26)

Sponsored By: Kirk Talbot (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Insurance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Louisiana adds oversight of drug costs

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Board within the Department of Insurance. State officials and appointed public and patient advocates serve without pay, using existing department staff and meeting space. Members serve five-year terms, and the board meets at least quarterly. The board maintains a list of drugs whose prices deserve public attention and updates it at least every three years. Generic and biosimilar drugs qualify only with a wholesale acquisition cost of at least $100 and a unit-cost increase exceeding 200% in 12 months. By June 1 each year, the board selects up to 10 drugs from different drug classes with high state spending after rebates. Their makers must report wholesale price increases, company-wide research and capital spending from the latest audited year, and public explanations of increases. Applicable public company filings can satisfy these reporting duties. The board publishes its findings by December 31. It also reports to legislative insurance committees at least 60 days before each regular session and posts that report on state insurance and health websites. That report examines statewide drug spending, compares high costs with other states and countries, and may recommend lower-cost policies that preserve access and quality. These reviews do not directly lower household drug prices.

Public reports track drug price increases

Beginning August 1, 2026, drug makers must report current wholesale acquisition costs for their approved prescription drugs sold in Louisiana. Annual reports are due to the Department of Insurance by January 15. Extra reporting covers drugs costing at least $100 for a 30-day supply before an increase. It applies when prices rise at least 40% over the preceding three calendar years or 15% in the preceding calendar year. Within 30 days after the increase takes effect, makers must report the drug's name, brand or generic status, effective date, reasons, and cost impact. For these drugs, annual filings also include company-wide research costs from the latest audited year. They must list the maker's drugs approved, and drugs that lost patent exclusivity, during the prior three calendar years. Applicable public filings, such as Form 10-K, can satisfy these duties. The department must provide an easy-to-find public price webpage and post required price-increase information within 60 days of receipt. These disclosures do not cap prices or guarantee savings.

State enforces drug makers' reporting duties

Beginning August 1, 2026, missing required drug reports is a prohibited practice under Louisiana's consumer protection law. The Department of Insurance may fine drug makers up to $1,000 per day for each reporting violation. Each day counts separately, but no administrative fine applies when the maker submits the required report within 45 days after notice. Penalties may be paused during court review if the maker pays the penalty or posts security or a bond. The attorney general may sue to collect penalties. Collected fines go to the state treasury and may fund only the department's administration of the reporting law.

Some drug pricing records stay confidential

Beginning August 1, 2026, nonpublic information collected under the law is treated as confidential trade-secret and proprietary information. It is exempt from public-records disclosure. The department, board, and third parties with access must protect identifying details, prices, and other information that could expose confidential business data. These restrictions exclude information already public and the specified public release of wholesale acquisition costs. Beginning January 1, 2027, the law also preserves public-records exceptions for R.S. 22:1870.14 and 22:1870.16 and repeals R.S. 22:1870(B)(5). Those January changes take effect only if Section 7 of Senate Bill 387 of the 2026 session is enacted and effective. The supplied text does not explain the repealed subsection's practical effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kirk Talbot

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Tehmi Jahi Chassion

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 282 • No: 6

House vote • 5/31/2026

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 89, nays 6. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

Yes: 89 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/29/2026

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 5/19/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 915.

    6/12/2026Senate

  2. Effective date: See Act.

    6/12/2026Senate

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

    6/1/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    6/1/2026House

  5. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

  6. Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 89, nays 6. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

    5/31/2026House

  7. Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.

    5/31/2026Senate

  8. Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.

    5/29/2026House

  9. Rules suspended.

    5/29/2026Senate

  10. Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

    5/29/2026Senate

  11. Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.

    5/29/2026House

  12. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/31/2026.

    5/29/2026House

  13. Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

    5/27/2026Senate

  14. Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.

    5/26/2026House

  15. Senate conference committee members appointed: Talbot, Bass, and Myers.

    5/26/2026Senate

  16. House conferees appointed: Chance Henry, Firment, and Miller.

    5/26/2026House

  17. Notice of Senate conferees appointed.

    5/26/2026House

  18. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/19/2026House

  19. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/19/2026Senate

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

    5/18/2026House

  21. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  22. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/13/2026House

  23. Reported with amendments (13-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026House

  24. Read by title, amended, recommitted to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

    5/5/2026House

  25. Reported with amendments (11-0). To be recommitted to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

    4/29/2026House

Bill Text

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