Sarah Harbison Breaks Down Regulation Reform at the 2026 Solutions Summit

Sarah Harbison highlighted Louisiana’s recent regulatory wins at the Pelican Institute’s Solutions Summit. She pointed to last year’s passage of the REINS Act, which forces agencies to justify costly regulations, and the end of “Skidmore deference,” which removed the courts’ habit of favoring state agencies during challenges. Her first panel, Ridiculous Regs and How to Stop Them, explores how rules drive up costs for everyday tasks like permitting, construction, and occupational licensing. She noted Virginia’s use of AI to eliminate thousands of outdated regulations and said Louisiana can follow that model. She also called the hair-braiding license the clearest example of unnecessary regulation. Her second panel, Rewrite the Contract: Government Union Reforms, focuses on giving workers a yearly choice to join or not join a public-sector union and ensuring taxpayers aren’t left out of negotiations. She previewed an “opt-in” bill and argued that true choice protects workers and the public. Harbison closed by previewing her 2026 priorities: more transparency for licensing boards and stronger taxpayer protections.