SB 228 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

LOCAL FINANCE: Constitutional amendment to allow for the use of public funds to replace drinking water utility service lines located on private property. (2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

SB 228 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Louisiana local governments to use public funds to identify, inventory, remove, and replace drinking water pipes made of hazardous materials (like lead, copper, or galvanized steel) on private property owned by utility customers. It directly affects residents with older pipes who currently bear the full cost of replacement. The key mechanism adds a new provision to the state constitution permitting this public funding for hazardous pipe replacement, subject to voter approval. If passed, it would shift the financial responsibility for replacing unsafe pipes from homeowners to local governments. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 election.

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 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB228 Original → SB228 Act 607 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally enrolled and passed by the legislature, adding a large number of co-sponsors. The core policy text remains focused on allowing public funds to replace drinking water service lines on private property, but the specific list of eligible materials was updated to align with the latest federal EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements promulgated in October 2024.

Scope change

The scope of eligible materials for replacement was expanded and updated to include specific criteria from the 2024 federal EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, replacing the previous list of specific metals.

DEFINITION

The list of hazardous materials eligible for replacement was changed from a specific list (lead, copper, galvanized steel, iron) to a broader definition based on materials specified or prescribed by the October 30, 2024 EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and any subsequent federal rules.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated to reflect its status as an enrolled Act No. 607, and the list of co-sponsors was significantly expanded to include numerous additional representatives and senators.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 29, 2026

How they voted

30–8

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

May 6, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

19 Yea 8 Nay 1

67% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 32 yeas and 4 nays.

upper

May 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 79, nays 13. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 27, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 26, 2026

Committee

Reported without amendments (6-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

May 18, 2026

Committee

Read by title, amended, recommitted to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.

lower

May 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0). To be recommitted to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.

lower

May 11, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Previous 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

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs.

upper

1 primary · 24 co-sponsors