This week’s Capitol Connections, presented by LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs Will DuBos, recaps the conclusion of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session and its impact on the restaurant industry.

With the Legislature officially adjourned, the episode reviews the key issues that shaped the session, highlights important victories for Louisiana restaurants, and discusses several proposals the Louisiana Restaurant Association successfully opposed on behalf of its members. It also underscores the importance of the industry speaking with a unified voice on behalf of restaurants across Louisiana.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

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In this week’s Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, breaks down key developments as the legislative session enters its final stretch.

Much of the Capitol is now focused on tightening committee agendas, leadership priorities, and fast-moving bills nearing final passage. The LRA is continuing to actively oppose HB 617, which would require businesses to clearly display total pricing including mandatory fees and surcharges. While intended to increase transparency, the bill raises major concerns for restaurants and hospitality operators around menu pricing, online ordering, delivery platforms, compliance burden, and potential legal exposure.

The episode also highlights how congressional redistricting has taken center stage at the Capitol, drawing significant attention and slowing or reshaping the movement of other legislation. As negotiations continue, the LRA remains engaged, monitoring bills closely and advocating for the industry through the final weeks of session.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

In this week's Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, breaks down several key legislative wins for Louisiana's restaurant and hospitality industry.

Topics include successful efforts to amend HB 665 protecting Louisiana's commercial catfish industry, defeat of SB 499 involving biometric ID requirements for alcohol-serving establishments, and defeat of HB 687, which would have expanded alcohol permit restrictions in undefined "historic neighborhoods.”

He also discusses the LRA's continued opposition to HB 617 regarding mandatory fee and surcharge disclosures as the bill moves to the Senate.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, provides a mid-session recap highlighting key legislative issues impacting restaurants from workforce and workers’ compensation to payment processing, agriculture, and public safety.

He shares progress on House Bill 232, which would streamline hiring minors and is advancing to the Senate with LRA support, along with ongoing efforts to reform Louisiana’s outdated workers’ compensation system, where multiple proposals are still being negotiated. The recap also highlights a key win with the defeat of House Bill 659, which would have limited restaurants’ ability to offset rising payment processing costs, while noting continued monitoring of a Senate bill addressing debit card surcharges.

Additional focus includes support for expanding Louisiana seafood promotion efforts and increasing industry representation, as well as backing workplace safety measures like the Behind the Counter Protection Act.

As the session approaches adjournment, the LRA emphasizes that both advancing strong policies and stopping harmful legislation remain critical to protecting restaurant operators.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, focuses on workers’ compensation as key legislation begins to move forward, including SB 408 to update the state’s outdated medical fee schedule. While the bill is advancing, it remains controversial, and the LRA is supporting an alternative, HB 357, while also working to redirect HB 780 to the appropriate committee.

He also highlights opposition to HB 659, which would cap credit card surcharges and increase costs for restaurants, as the LRA continues advocating for the industry.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

In this week’s Capitol Connection episode Will Dubos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, marks the midpoint of the legislative session as bills begin moving between chambers. House Bill 1, which is the state’s operating budget, has cleared committee and heads to the House floor. The LRA is also tracking and opposing Senate Bill 499, which would require a costly biometric age verification system for bars. As session progresses, lawmakers are expected to move faster toward final passage of legislation.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

On this We Live to Eat podcast episode, Chef Susan Spicer, co-owner and founder of Bayona in New Orleans, reflects on her culinary journey, sharing how global travel and Louisiana’s rich culture shaped her approach to food. She discusses her restaurants, the challenges of the industry, and her shift into a mentorship-focused, semi-retired role, emphasizing that passion and business knowledge are key to success.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association

Will Dubos, LRA's Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, highlights this session's progress during Week 4 of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session.

Key efforts include pushing for seafood industry support through market funds and task force expansion, while successfully opposing new administrative burdens by exempting restaurants from seafood record-keeping mandates.

Additionally, the session features significant workers' compensation reforms to improve cost predictability and updated workforce laws to streamline the hiring of minors.

New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.

https://www.instagram.com/louisiana_restaurant_assoc/

https://x.com/LaRestAssoc

https://www.facebook.com/LaRestaurantAssoc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/louisiana-restaurant-association