FUNDS/FUNDING: Requires the referral of applicants who fail citizenship or immigration verification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)
SB 194 requires Louisiana state agencies to verify the U.S. citizenship or "satisfactory immigration status" of applicants for Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits like housing or food assistance. If verification fails after a single reasonable opportunity period, the state must refer the applicant's information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate benefits. The bill specifies that "satisfactory immigration status" includes lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those under Compact of Free Association agreements. Agencies must also provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance and submit annual reports to legislators on enforcement actions. This bill directly affects individuals applying for federal or state public benefits who cannot prove citizenship or qualifying immigration status.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
Signed Jun 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB194 Original
→
SB194 Act
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the legal definition of 'qualified alien' for public assistance programs to explicitly include Cubans and Haitians granted specific entrant status, while clarifying that temporary visitors like tourists and students are excluded. It also strengthens enforcement by requiring state agencies to refer applicants who fail citizenship verification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and mandates monthly reporting to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the entire income and financial resources of individuals ineligible for SNAP due to immigration status must be counted against their household when determining benefits.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of eligible immigrants for certain public benefits to include specific Cuban and Haitian entrants, while simultaneously narrowing the scope by explicitly excluding temporary visitors such as tourists, diplomats, and students.
ELIGIBILITY
The definition of 'qualified alien' was modified to explicitly include aliens granted Cuban or Haitian entrant status, ensuring they remain eligible for public benefits under this statute.
The definition was modified to explicitly exclude alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, students, and other individuals admitted temporarily without intent to abandon a foreign residence.
A new provision was added stating that if an individual is ineligible for SNAP due to immigration status, their entire income and financial resources must be counted as available to their household.
ENFORCEMENT
A new requirement was added for state agencies to refer applicants who fail citizenship or immigration verification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
REQUIREMENT
A new requirement was added for agencies to provide a monthly report to the Secretary of State containing data on referrals and terminated benefits for voter list maintenance purposes.
Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2026 · House May 26, 2026
How they voted
25–11
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 40
May 5, 2026
D
Democratic12
83% Nay
R
Republican28
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 27 yeas and 9 nays.
upper
May 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 67, nays 27. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 20, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (8-3). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 7, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 25 yeas and 10 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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