EXPLOSIVES: Provides for the regulation of explosives. (8/1/26)
SB 393 updates Louisiana's explosives regulations by clarifying key definitions and strengthening licensing requirements. It specifically defines terms like "explosives business" (any entity handling explosives), "blaster" (person detonating explosives), and "handler" (person moving explosives without detonating them). The bill mandates thorough background checks - including fingerprint-based criminal history reviews for all applicants - before issuing or renewing licenses for manufacturers, distributors, users, blasters, or handlers. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, as determined by the department. This directly affects businesses and workers involved in explosives manufacturing, distribution, or use across Louisiana.
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
May 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB393 Original
→
SB393 Act 503
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Louisiana's explosives regulations to clarify definitions and strengthen background check requirements. It redefines who qualifies as a 'handler' versus a 'blaster' to ensure only those who detonate explosives are licensed as blasters, while handlers are limited to moving or transporting them. The law now mandates that background checks for all license applicants and renewals must include expunged records and dismissed convictions, requiring a broader review of criminal history than previously required.
Scope change
The bill narrows the scope of the 'blaster' license to strictly those who detonate explosives, while expanding the definition of 'handler' to include those who transport explosives but do not detonate them. It also broadens the scope of background investigations to include expunged and dismissed criminal records.
DEFINITION
Redefines 'blaster' to specifically mean a person who detonates explosives, and 'handler' to mean a person who transports explosives but does not detonate them.
Updates the definition of 'person' to explicitly include employees and members of an explosives business engaged in manufacturing, distributing, buying, selling, or consuming explosives.
REQUIREMENT
Mandates that background checks for all explosives license applicants and renewals must include expunged information and dismissed convictions.
Requires background checks to include fingerprints and other identifying information submitted to both state and federal (FBI) authorities.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 7, 2026 · House May 19, 2026
How they voted
37–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
Apr 7, 2026
D
Democratic12
83% Yea
R
Republican28
96% 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 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.
upper
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 99, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (9-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Mar 31, 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 Judiciary B.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bob Owen
RRepublican
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