Senate Bill No. 307, introduced by Senator Edmonds, aims to authorize the educational display of the Ten Commandments as a historical document and monument on the grounds of the Louisiana State Capitol. The bill emphasizes the significance of religious history in American and Louisiana law, asserting that such displays can enhance public understanding of the nation's cultural and legal foundations. It mandates the commissioner of administration to oversee the design, construction, and installation of the monument at no cost to the state, while also permitting private proposals for its creation. The bill includes legislative findings that highlight the historical importance of the Ten Commandments alongside other foundational documents of American law and culture.

Additionally, the bill allows state offices, judges, and local government buildings to display copies of the Ten Commandments and other historical documents in public locations. It specifies that the monument's dimensions must not exceed six feet in height, four feet in width, and four feet in depth, and that the text must align with the Supreme Court's ruling in Van Orden v. Perry. Furthermore, any public display must be accompanied by a contextual document titled "Context for Acknowledging America's Religious History." The commissioner is responsible for selecting proposals for the monument from private entities, with a deadline for completion set for December 31, 2026, and the bill is scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB307 Original: 25:1282(A)