Louisiana lawmakers have created a special legislative committee to closely examine the operations and transparency of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), the private organization that governs athletic programs in over 410 public, private, and parochial schools statewide.

Though the LHSAA oversees sports for thousands of public school athletes and utilizes publicly owned facilities, it remains exempt from open records and public meeting laws—a fact lawmakers say poses significant accountability issues.

Recent legal battles, including the expulsion of prominent New Orleans coach Randy Livingston, have drawn criticism. Courts revealed that LHSAA officials rose formal penalties without disclosing findings or offering due process—haunting a growing number of parents, coaches, and legislators.

A 10-member joint committee—drawing House and Senate appointees—has been tasked with reviewing LHSAA governance, disciplinary procedures, classification systems, and financial accountability. Subcommittees will also hold hearings across the state and seek public input. A final report is due to the education committees by February 2026.

Key legislative members include:

• Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson (R), committee chair

• Rep. Bryan Fontenot, designee of House Education Chair Laurie Schlegel

• Sen. Regina Barrow, Senate President Pro Tem

• Sen. Rick Edmonds, Senate Education Chair

• Sen. Alan Seabaugh (R–Shreveport), appointed by the Senate to serve on the committee alongside Sen. Bill Wheat

Main events prompting the review include:

• The Newman School/Livingston case, where penalties—and the forfeiture of championships—were levied without revealing specific allegations, forcing legal action to regain lost titles. A judge has since ordered the LHSAA to produce investigative materials.

• Multiple Baton Rouge and New Orleans public schools suffering sanctions perceived as arbitrary, with little access to appeals or clarity.

Panel meetings will begin July 29, with public hearings tentatively scheduled across Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, and central Louisiana in the fall. Lawmakers will accept written comments and public testimony through October 2025. The final report—with reforms or recommendations—will be delivered by February 2026.

By placing LHSAA under legislative review, Louisiana lawmakers are pushing for greater accountability in school sports governance. With Sen. Alan Seabaugh and a mix of education and oversight officials on the panel, the review is positioned to challenge long-standing practices—potentially reshaping how high school athletics are managed across the state.