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LouisianaSB 562026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

LEVEES: Provides for the reorganization of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank and the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District. (8/1/26)

Sponsored By: Patrick Connick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

East flood authority sets oversight roles

Beginning August 1, 2026, the East flood protection authority’s police superintendent exclusively leads law enforcement for the authority and its districts. The superintendent cannot control budgets, staffing, purchasing, policy, or other non-police functions; other officials retain their governing powers. The board may hire a compliance officer in the state classified service. The officer needs a bachelor’s degree in accounting, auditing, business, finance, legal studies, or a related field, plus two years of relevant industry experience. A Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional credential is also required; no hiring date, salary, or specific funding amount is set.

Lafitte gets a regional board seat

Beginning August 1, 2026, the West Bank flood protection board grows from seven to nine members. Three must live in West Jefferson district territory, one in Lafitte district territory, and two in west-side Orleans Parish. Three must live outside Jefferson and Orleans parishes. The governor appoints members through the authority’s nominating process; Jean Lafitte’s mayor supplies three council-approved candidates for the Lafitte seat. The Senate District 8 senator and House District 84 representative jointly choose one Lafitte nominee for the governor.

Lafitte joins regional flood protection board

Beginning August 1, 2026, the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District becomes the Lafitte Area Levee District. The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank board replaces Lafitte’s independent board. The West Bank authority’s territory includes the West Jefferson, Algiers, and Lafitte Area levee districts. References to the affected local boards in laws, contracts, and legal documents mean the applicable East or West Bank authority. The State Law Institute must update legal references to match.

Lafitte keeps existing cases and debt

Lafitte legal proceedings filed, started, or pending on August 1, 2026, continue under the district’s name. Existing East Jefferson, Lake Borgne Basin, Orleans, and West Jefferson district proceedings also remain active under their district names. Subject to legal exceptions, the reorganization does not shift responsibility for earlier actions or claims to authorities or other districts. The West Bank authority manages Lafitte’s obligations and unfinished business, but Lafitte’s outstanding debt remains the district’s responsibility. The law does not make residents personally responsible for that debt.

Regional boards manage levee money and property

Beginning August 1, 2026, regional flood protection boards administer the affected districts’ levee taxes and other revenue, including Lafitte’s. Money must serve the purposes of the district that raised it. Except as provided in R.S. 38:330.12, spending elsewhere must benefit both the authority and the districts supplying the money. Each district keeps ownership of its books, records, funds, and property, while the applicable authority manages them. The law sets no new tax or tax rate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patrick Connick

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bass

    Republican • Senate

  • Cameron Henry

    Republican • Senate

  • Franklin J. Foil

    Republican • Senate

  • Gary Carter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Glen Womack

    Republican • Senate

  • Jay Luneau

    Democratic • Senate

  • John C. "Jay" Morris

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeremy Stine

    Republican • Senate

  • Jimmy Harris

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Abraham

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael "Big Mike" Fesi

    Republican • Senate

  • Royce Duplessis

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sidney Barthelemy II

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

House vote • 5/20/2026

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

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 5/11/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 734.

    6/1/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/29/2026House

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

    5/29/2026Senate

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

    5/28/2026Senate

  6. Called from the Calendar.

    5/27/2026Senate

  7. Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

    5/25/2026Senate

  8. Called from the calendar.

    5/20/2026House

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

    5/20/2026House

  10. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/20/2026Senate

  11. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/18/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  12. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    5/18/2026House

  13. Notice given.

    5/18/2026House

  14. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/20/2026.

    5/18/2026House

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

    5/13/2026House

  16. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/12/2026House

  17. Reported with amendments (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/11/2026House

  18. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    4/21/2026House

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

    4/20/2026House

  20. Called from the Calendar.

    4/15/2026Senate

  21. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/15/2026Senate

  22. Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

    4/8/2026Senate

  23. Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/7/2026Senate

  24. Reported favorably.

    4/1/2026Senate

  25. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    3/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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