The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education on Thursday approved the membership roster and budget for the 2025–26 Legislative Youth Advisory Council and adopted an updated mileage reimbursement form reflecting the new IRS rate.

The commission unanimously approved the panel’s recommended LIAC membership after the council’s coordinator, Megan Bella, said reviewers used a double‑blind process to score 210 applicants. "We had 210 applicants this year," Bella told commissioners while reading the selected students’ names. Commissioners also approved the LIAC budget for the coming year and endorsed a mileage reimbursement form that updates the per‑mile rate to 70¢ to match the Internal Revenue Service rate change.

Why it matters: LIAC places students inside the legislative process and brings youth perspectives to state policy conversations. The newly approved student members will participate in council activities, testify to committees and carry out outreach projects during the next year.

Most of the student presenters who spoke to the commission described recent LIAC work and outreach. Members recounted a two‑day summer seminar at the statehouse that included a tour of the House and Senate chambers and meetings with Governor Jeff Landry and other legislators. Students reported testimony before legislative committees on bills and said they have worked with civic and youth groups such as 4‑H and peer‑led mental health organizations to broaden recruitment and outreach.

Several specific student initiatives were described. Brinkley Bennett said LIAC members recently testified in support of adding a Freedom Framework diploma endorsement that would recognize high school students who score at or above mastery on the LEAP civics assessment and provide a diploma seal and honor cord. Bennett also said a LIAC resolution to create a school safety task force was introduced to the Senate Education Committee on May 21; the task force, she said, is intended to include students, law enforcement and other stakeholders in drafting school safety legislation.

Student member David Huang described LIAC’s continued work on youth digital‑safety issues, including testimony in the House Commerce Committee as part of efforts tied to prior legislation described by him as “Louisiana Act Number 656” and House Bill 570; LIAC members and alumni testified to highlight how social media and screen time affect youth. The commission meeting record shows students participated as witnesses and in outreach but no new state law was adopted at the commission meeting.

The motions to approve LIAC membership and the budget were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. The recording indicates the mileage reimbursement form was also approved with no opposition. The commission asked members and staff to update contact rosters and to submit preferred November meeting dates before leaving.

Commission members and staff praised the students for the council’s work and encouraged continued outreach into every parish.