Louisiana creates State Seal of Fine Arts for high school graduates meeting criteria

Original title: SCHOOLS/HIGH SCHOOL: Provides for a State Seal of Fine Arts to recognize high school graduates who meet certain academic eligibility criteria (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Last action · May 15, 2026: Effective date: 08/01/2026.Sponsors: Dixon McMakin and 1 other

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What This Bill Does

Louisiana establishes a State Seal of Fine Arts to recognize high school graduates who complete specific coursework, maintain a 3.00 GPA in arts credits, and finish an arts-related capstone project, effective August 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Qualifying students receive a special insignia on their high school diploma or transcript, while local school systems and state education officials must track eligibility, maintain records, and issue the appropriate markers.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

high school graduates

Students who meet specific arts coursework, GPA, and capstone requirements receive an official insignia on their diploma or transcript.

Directly affected

participating school governing authorities

School authorities must maintain records to identify qualifying students and affix the state seal insignia to their diplomas or transcripts.

Directly affected

State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

The board must promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to carry out the provisions of the seal program.

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

What criteria must a student meet to earn the State Seal of Fine Arts?

A student must complete four credits in the same arts discipline, maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00 for those arts credits, and complete an arts-related capstone performance or portfolio.

What are the responsibilities of the state superintendent under this law?

The state superintendent must prepare and deliver an insignia to participating for eligible student diplomas or transcripts, and provide any other necessary information for the program.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

20 actions

May 15, 2026HouseEnrolled
Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 137.
May 15, 2026House
Effective date: 08/01/2026.
May 14, 2026SenateEnrolled
Signed by the President of the Senate.
May 14, 2026House
Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
May 13, 2026House
Received from the Senate without amendments.
May 13, 2026HouseEnrolled
Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

Show 14 earlier actions

May 12, 2026SenateFloor
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
May 5, 2026SenateFloor
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
May 4, 2026SenateIntroduced
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
Apr 29, 2026SenateCommittee
Rules suspended. Reported favorably.
Apr 1, 2026SenateCommittee
Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Mar 31, 2026HouseFloor
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
Mar 31, 2026Senate
Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
Mar 30, 2026House
Scheduled for floor debate on 03/31/2026.
Mar 26, 2026HouseFloor
Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported favorably (10-0).
Mar 9, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
Feb 20, 2026House
First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/20/2026.
Feb 18, 2026House
Prefiled.
Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Education.

Version history

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