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LouisianaHB 9402026 Regular SessionHouse

CRIME: Provides relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Sponsored By: Stephanie H. Berault (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Police drone operations get statewide safeguards

A permanent task force within Louisiana State Police sets drone enforcement standards for safety, privacy, civil rights, coordination, and oversight. Officers carrying out or supervising interceptions must complete required training, including drone detection, counter-drone tools, safety, and rights protections. Agencies must keep certification records for inspection and submit training and incident summaries by January 30 each year. Forensic labs must be accredited or approved; evidence rules cover tracking, data integrity, secure storage, and preservation of flight data. The task force maintains approved technology resources and sends a threat assessment to legislative homeland security committees; members receive no salary but may receive daily allowances and expenses.

Police gain powers against threatening drones

Louisiana police can take reasonable steps to stop drones they reasonably suspect are used for illegal, harmful, or threatening conduct. Officers must follow approved rules, obey federal law and applicable equipment laws, and document their actions. The authority excludes satellites, specified government surveillance drones, and drones used by local police or fire departments. It also excludes drones used on their property by businesses regulated by state utility, local franchising, or federal communications authorities. Federally authorized commercial drones flown by employees or agents within their jobs are also excluded.

Police gain legal protection for drone actions

Officers and agencies acting in good faith and substantially following this law are presumed to act lawfully during drone mitigation. This protection covers both carrying out and supervising those actions. It does not cover gross negligence, willful misconduct, or knowing violations of constitutional or statutory rights. People can still seek court relief for unlawful actions or rights violations.

Public access to drone oversight shrinks

The law exempts specified drone enforcement records from public disclosure, including approved technology lists, technical databases, and task force policies. Agencies' annual training and incident summaries are also exempt. The task force and its subcommittees do not have to follow Louisiana's open-meetings law. They are also exempt from Louisiana's Administrative Procedure Act, removing the procedures that normally apply under that law.

Police technology purchases lose central oversight

Agencies can buy, lease, or rent covered drone-related technology, software, and services without Office of Technology Services purchasing oversight. This gives agencies more purchasing freedom but removes that office's review. Other applicable state and federal purchasing laws still apply. The task force sets technology standards with the office's input, and the office must help carry out the program.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephanie H. Berault

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 253 • No: 0

House vote • 5/29/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 91, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

Yes: 91 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/27/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 5/5/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 17 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 854.

    6/8/2026House

  2. Effective date: 06/08/2026.

    6/8/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    6/1/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    6/1/2026House

  5. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/31/2026House

  6. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.

    5/29/2026House

  7. Read by title, roll called, yeas 91, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

    5/29/2026House

  8. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/28/2026House

  9. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/27/2026Senate

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/26/2026Senate

  11. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/25/2026Senate

  12. Reported favorably.

    5/21/2026Senate

  13. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.

    5/14/2026Senate

  14. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    5/13/2026Senate

  15. Called from the calendar.

    5/12/2026House

  16. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    5/12/2026House

  17. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    5/7/2026House

  18. Notice given.

    5/7/2026House

  19. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/12/2026.

    5/7/2026House

  20. Read by title, amended, ordered reengrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/6/2026House

  21. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/07/2026.

    5/6/2026House

  22. Reported with amendments (17-0).

    5/5/2026House

  23. Read by title, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

    4/27/2026House

  24. Reported favorably (15-0).

    4/23/2026House

  25. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    3/9/2026House

Bill Text

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