DISTRICTS/HISTORIC: Provides relative to historic preservation districts and landmarks commissions in the city of New Orleans
HB 368 increases penalties for demolishing historic structures in New Orleans without proper approval. It raises the maximum fine to either $50,000 or 15% of a property's tax-assessed value (whichever is greater) for owners, agents, or lessees who demolish buildings without a required "certificate of appropriateness." This directly affects property owners, developers, and preservation commissions in New Orleans by strengthening enforcement of historic district regulations. The bill amends existing law to provide clearer financial consequences for violating historic preservation rules. It does not create new requirements but elevates penalties for existing violations.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 24, 2026
Signed Jun 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB368 Original
→
HB368 Act 959
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the enforcement penalties for historic preservation violations in New Orleans and introduces a new mechanism to collect unpaid fines. It increases the maximum fine for unauthorized demolition to $50,000 (from $25,000) and adds a property lien that allows the city to seize or auction the property if fines are not paid.
Scope change
The bill applies specifically to the city of New Orleans regarding historic preservation violations, particularly those involving unauthorized demolition.
ENFORCEMENT
The maximum fine for demolishing a historic structure without a certificate of appropriateness increased from $25,000 to $50,000.
A new lien system was added, allowing the city to place a financial claim against the property itself for unpaid fines, costs, and penalties.
New procedures were established for the city to record liens in the mortgage office and enforce them through tax auctions or court writs if the owner fails to pay.
REQUIREMENT
The bill text was updated to reflect the new lien requirements and enforcement steps, replacing the previous text that only mentioned fines.
Floor votes · Senate May 21, 2026 · House Apr 22, 2026
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 40
May 21, 2026
D
Democratic12
91% Yea
R
Republican28
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
34
Key actions
12
Committee
12
May 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.
lower
May 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 32 yeas and 1 nays.
upper
May 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.
upper
May 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 82, nays 11. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.
lower
May 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference committee report received.
upper
May 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate conference committee members appointed: Barthelemy, Luneau, and Miller.
upper
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.
upper
May 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 12, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
May 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 78, nays 13. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (15-0).
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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