HB 1201 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

ELECTED OFFICIALS/COMP: Provides with respect to the compensation of statewide elected officials and legislators (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 1201 modifies the compensation rules for statewide elected officials and legislators by adjusting the allowance for renting or leasing a residence in the state capital. The bill increases the maximum reimbursement amount from five hundred dollars to five hundred thousand dollars, significantly expanding the financial support available to these officials for housing expenses. These changes directly affect the budget allocations for public officials and alter the specific terms under which they may receive housing funds while serving.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Signed Jun 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB1201 Original → HB1201 Act 954 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the compensation structure for Louisiana's elected officials and legislators. It simplifies the pay rules for legislators by aligning their per diem with federal tax limits and adds a new monthly expense allowance. It also modernizes the salary and housing allowances for statewide elected officials, such as the Attorney General and Secretary of State, by removing specific vehicle allowance requirements and adjusting housing payments to a flat unvouchered rate.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of compensation rules to include a new monthly expense allowance for legislators and modifies the specific allowances available to statewide elected officials.

FISCAL

Legislator per diem rates are now tied to the federal tax deduction limit for state capital expenses, capping the amount at ten days per month for remote work.

A new monthly expense allowance of $500 is established for legislators to cover office-related costs.

Statewide elected officials (excluding the Governor) now receive a fixed $1,000 unvouchered housing allowance, replacing the previous $2,500 housing allowance and $1,000 vehicle allowance.

The expense allowance for both legislators and statewide officials is now automatically adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.

The specific vehicle allowance previously granted to statewide elected officials has been removed.

REQUIREMENT

Mileage reimbursement for legislators attending committee meetings now requires a formal voucher filed with the presiding officer.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026 · House May 11, 2026

How they voted

27–1

Passed · 12 other

Total votes 40

May 28, 2026

D Democratic12

10 Yea 2

83% Yea

R Republican28

17 Yea 1 Nay 10

60% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 62, nays 35, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

May 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 26 yeas and 1 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 53, nays 36. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (18-4).

lower

Apr 27, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Apr 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (9-0).

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors