SB 425 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: Provides for removal by suit of certain elected officials. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill modifies Louisiana law to establish a legal process for removing certain elected public officials from office through court action. It applies to public officers who are convicted of felonies or found guilty of malfeasance or gross misconduct while in office, excluding those specifically exempted by the state constitution. The legislation creates two main removal pathways: one triggered automatically by felony conviction or misconduct findings, which suspends the official without pay until appeals are exhausted, and another allowing the attorney general or legislature to file a civil lawsuit for removal. If the legislature initiates a removal suit, it requires a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House, and the case would be heard by a special judge appointed by the Supreme Court. During suspension periods, a replacement official is appointed to perform the duties of the suspended position.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 25, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB425 Original → SB425 Act 510 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was formally enrolled as Act No. 510 and significantly expanded the legal definition of 'public officer' to include appointed officials and municipal ward positions, while explicitly excluding judges. It also updated the definitions of 'malfeasance' and 'gross misconduct' to provide clearer standards for removal and added a new subsection allowing the legislature to initiate removal proceedings directly.

Scope change

The bill's scope of applicability was broadened to include more types of public officials, specifically adding appointed officials and municipal ward members to the list of removable officers, while clarifying that judges are excluded from this process.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'public officer' was modified to include appointed officials and municipal ward members, while explicitly excluding judges of courts of record.

The definition of 'gross misconduct' was expanded to include acts that materially violate ethical duties or substantially undermine public trust.

ENFORCEMENT

A new provision was added allowing either house of the legislature to initiate removal proceedings directly upon a two-thirds vote, rather than solely through the attorney general.

SCOPE

The bill was amended to include R.S. 42:1412(G), which establishes new definitions for terms like 'felony' and 'public officer' to clarify the law's application.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2026 · House May 13, 2026

How they voted

28–10

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

Apr 22, 2026

D Democratic12

1 Yea 9 Nay 2

75% Nay

R Republican28

27 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 26 yeas and 9 nays.

upper

May 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 58, nays 32. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 7, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (10-5). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 27, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Apr 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 28 yeas and 9 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Introduced

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

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors