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LouisianaSB 4152026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Creates the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Sponsored By: Mark Abraham (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Louisiana creates nonprofit-funded food cards

Beginning August 1, 2026, the Louisiana Department of Health administers the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program through qualified nonprofits. The department may start with a one-region pilot; statewide rollout must include a participating nonprofit in every department region. Nonprofits must run Louisiana food assistance programs, have 501(c)(3) status, sign participation agreements, and meet department reporting requirements. Each nonprofit funds its cards, accepts charitable gifts, and provides a way for people to fund cards. Contributors may receive a card themselves or name another recipient. Benefits use no public money, and the law guarantees neither a card nor a set amount. The department must set uniform operating standards and adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act, using existing staff and resources. A payment processor automatically records transactions; the department produces annual totals that nonprofits must check against their records. The department may review, monitor, and inspect records. It must report a program evaluation to the Senate and House health and welfare committees by March 1, 2027.

Food-card users face limits and protections

Beginning August 1, 2026, food cards can buy only food items allowed under SNAP, the food assistance program. Cash withdrawals and transfers are banned. The program must use a separate identifier, cannot merge with SNAP, and cannot use federal funding. Program administrators cannot access SNAP eligibility or recipient records. Card benefits count as charitable food assistance, not wages or pay for work, and are not a guaranteed public benefit. Recipient information must stay confidential. The department and other groups collecting it cannot use it for marketing, requests for donations, or unrelated purposes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark Abraham

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Fisher

    Democratic • House

  • Aimee Adatto Freeman

    Democratic • House

  • Annie Spell

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Reich Freiberg

    Republican • House

  • Beryl Amedée

    Republican • House

  • Beth Anne Billings

    Republican • House

  • Brian Leonard Glorioso

    Republican • House

  • C. Denise Marcelle

    Democratic • House

  • Christopher Turner

    Republican • House

  • Doyle Boudreaux

    Republican • House

  • Dustin Miller

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Stagni

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kellee Hennessy Dickerson

    Republican • House

  • Kim Carver

    Republican • House

  • Mandie Landry

    Democratic • House

  • Peter F. Egan Sr.

    Republican • House

  • Reese "Skip" Broussard

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie H. Berault

    Republican • House

  • Tehmi Jahi Chassion

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

House vote • 5/19/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 508.

    5/29/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    5/29/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/26/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/26/2026House

  5. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/26/2026Senate

  6. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/19/2026House

  7. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/19/2026Senate

  8. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/18/2026House

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

    5/18/2026House

  10. Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/13/2026House

  11. Reported with amendments (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026House

  12. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

    4/23/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/22/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/21/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/20/2026Senate

  16. Reported with amendments.

    4/15/2026Senate

  17. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

    3/24/2026Senate

  18. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    3/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

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