Legislative Youth Advisory Council accepting applications

The Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is now accepting applications from high school students interested in representing youth voices across the state during the 2026–2027 school year.

LYAC is an annually appointed, student-led council that studies issues affecting Louisiana’s youth, including:

• education
• mental health
• civic engagement
• the environment
• school safety

The council helps strengthen communication between young people and the Louisiana Legislature while providing hands-on experience in state government.

The 31-member council includes three students from each of Louisiana’s six congressional districts, with additional members serving at large.

Applicants must be ages 14–19 and enrolled during the 2026–2027 school year in a public or private high school, charter school, homeschool program or GED skills program.

Council members will begin their term in July with a two-day seminar at the State Capitol, followed by in-person meetings every other month on Saturdays in Baton Rouge, with Zoom meetings held during alternate months.

The application deadline is March 27. Applications are available at civiced.louisiana.gov by selecting LYAC. Applicants must submit:

• two letters of recommendation
• six short-answer questions
• a form signed by their school principal

For more information, contact Megan Bella at bellam@legis.la.gov or (225) 342-2361.