Louisiana State Senate

General Information
Party control: |  Republican
Session start: |  March 11, 2024
Session end: |  June 3, 2024
Term length: |  4 years
Term limits: |  3 terms (12 years)
Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant
Salary: |  $16,800/year; plus an additional $6,000/year as an unvouchered expense + per diem
Members
Total: | 39
Democrats: | 11
Republicans: | 28
Other: | 0
Vacancies: | 0
Leadership
President: |  Cameron Henry (R)
Maj. Leader: |  Blake Miguez (R)
Min. Leader: |  Gerald Boudreaux (D)
Elections
Last election: | November 18, 2023
Next election: | November 20, 2027

The Louisiana State Senate is the upper chamber of the Louisiana State Legislature. Alongside the Louisiana House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Louisiana state government and works alongside the governor of Louisiana to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Louisiana State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Louisiana State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

* All 39 seats in the state Senate were up for election in 2023.

* In the 2023 elections, Republicans increased their majority from 27-12 to 28-11. Click to read more »
* Louisiana has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Louisiana State Senate.

* Which party controls the chamber
* The chamber's current membership
* Partisan control of the chamber over time
* Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
* A district map
* How redistricting works in the state
* Legislation under consideration
* Legislative session dates
* Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
* A list of committees

## Party control[edit]

### Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Louisiana State Senate as of September 2024:

Party  | As of September 2024

|

| Democratic Party | 11
| Republican Party | 28
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  39

## Members[edit]

### Leadership[edit]

The president and president pro tempore of the Senate are elected by the full body, needing at least 20 votes for confirmation. The president is the presiding officer of the body. Duties of the president include preserving order, calling votes, appointing and removing members of each Senate and conference committee, and approving all expenditures of the Senate. In the absence of the president, the president pro tempore assumes all duties of the position.[1]

### Leadership and members[edit]

* Senate president: Cameron Henry (R)

Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office

|
|
|

Louisiana State Senate District 1 | Robert Owen | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 2 | Ed Price | Democratic  | June 16, 2017
Louisiana State Senate District 3 | Joseph Bouie | Democratic  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 4 | Jimmy Harris | Democratic  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 5 | Royce Duplessis | Democratic  | December 6, 2022
Louisiana State Senate District 6 | Rick Edmonds | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 7 | Gary Carter Jr. | Democratic  | July 2, 2021
Louisiana State Senate District 8 | Patrick Connick | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 9 | Cameron Henry | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 10 | Kirk Talbot | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 11 | Patrick McMath | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 12 | Beth Mizell | Republican  | January 11, 2016
Louisiana State Senate District 13 | Valarie Hodges | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 14 | Cleo Fields | Democratic  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 15 | Regina Ashford Barrow | Democratic  | January 11, 2016
Louisiana State Senate District 16 | Franklin Foil | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 17 | Caleb Kleinpeter | Republican  | December 6, 2022
Louisiana State Senate District 18 | Eddie Lambert | Republican  | January 11, 2016
Louisiana State Senate District 19 | Gregory Miller | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 20 | Michael Fesi | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 21 | Robert Allain III | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 22 | Blake Miguez | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 23 | Jean-Paul Coussan | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 24 | Gerald Boudreaux | Democratic  | January 11, 2016
Louisiana State Senate District 25 | Mark Abraham | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 26 | Bob Hensgens | Republican  | December 10, 2018
Louisiana State Senate District 27 | Jeremy Stine | Republican  | December 3, 2021
Louisiana State Senate District 28 | Heather Cloud | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 29 | Jay Luneau | Democratic  | January 11, 2016
Louisiana State Senate District 30 | Mike Reese | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 31 | Alan Seabaugh | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 32 | Glen Womack | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 33 | Stewart Cathey | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 34 | Katrina Jackson | Democratic  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 35 | Jay Morris | Republican  | January 13, 2020
Louisiana State Senate District 36 | Adam Bass | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 37 | William Wheat Jr. | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 38 | Thomas Pressly | Republican  | January 8, 2024
Louisiana State Senate District 39 | Sam Jenkins | Democratic  | January 8, 2024

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[2]

Salary| Per diem
$16,800/year; plus an additional $6,000/year as an unvouchered expense| $166/day.

### Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Louisiana legislators assume office at noon on the second Monday in January after their election.[3][4]

### Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

According to Article III, Section 4, of the Louisiana Constitution, candidates must meet the following qualifications in order to run for the state legislature:

“  | All candidates shall be qualified electors ... By the date of qualification, the candidate shall have attained the age of 18 years, resided in Louisiana for the preceding 2 years, and been actually domiciled for the preceding year in the legislative district from which the candidate seeks election. At the next regular election for members of the legislature following legislative reapportionment, an elector may qualify as a candidate from any district created in whole or in part from a district existing prior to reapportionment if he was domiciled in that prior district for at least 1 year immediately preceding his qualification and was a resident of Louisiana for the 2 years preceding his qualification.[5][6] | ”

|
|

## Historical party control[edit]

Republicans won control of the Louisiana State Senate in 2011. In 2023, they won a 28-11 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Louisiana Senate following every general election from 1991 to 2023. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Louisiana State Senate election results: 1991-2023

Party  | 91  | 95  | 99  | 03  | 07  | 11  | 15  | 19  | 23

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Democrats | 33 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11
Republicans | 6 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28

### Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Louisiana was under the following types of trifecta control:

* Democratic trifecta: 1992-1995, 2004-2007
* Republican trifecta: 2011-2015
* Divided government: 1996-2003, 2008-2010, 2016-2023

Louisiana Party Control: 1992-2024
Eight years of Democratic trifectas • Six years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18  | 19  | 20  | 21  | 22  | 23  | 24

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Governor | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R
Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R

## Elections[edit]

### Elections by year[edit]

Louisiana state senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Louisiana holds elections for its legislature in odd years.

Louisiana holds October primaries in which candidates of all party affiliations face off, rather than deciding party nominees through separate primaries. Should a candidate finish with a majority of the primary vote, he or she is considered elected; otherwise, a runoff between the top two finishers is held in November. Louisiana is also one of only four states that hold state elections in odd-numbered years. Former Clerk of the Louisiana House Alfred "Butch" Speer was quoted as explaining:

“  | For scores of years we conducted our party primaries in the winter of the odd numbered years, with any necessary 2nd primary held in January. Because Republican voter registration was so miniscule from 1877 until 1980, the general elections were mere irritants to the Democrat primary victor. Once we scrapped the partisan primary system [1975] we set the entire system up to run in the fall of the odd numbered year, our traditional election season.[7][6] | ”

|
|

### 2023[edit]

See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2023

Elections for the Louisiana State Senate took place in 2023. The general election was November 18, 2023. A primary was October 14, 2023. The filing deadline was August 10, 2023.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-12 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 28-11 majority.

Louisiana State Senate

Party  | As of November 18, 2023  | After November 19, 2023
| Democratic Party | 12  | 11
| Republican Party | 27 | 28
Total |  39 |  39

### 2019[edit]

See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2019

Elections for the Louisiana State Senate took place in 2019. The primary was on October 12, 2019, and the general election was on November 16. The filing deadline for candidates was August 8, 2019.

Louisiana State Senate

Party  | As of November 16, 2019  | After November 17, 2019
| Democratic Party | 14  | 12
| Republican Party | 25 | 27
Total |  39 |  39

### 2015[edit]

See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2015

Elections for the Louisiana State Senate took place in 2015. A primary election was held on October 24, 2015, with a general election held in districts where necessary on November 21, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 10, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. CDT.[8]
Louisiana elections use the Louisiana majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-13 majority. Republicans lost one seat in the election, giving them a 25-14 majority.

Louisiana State Senate

Party  | As of November 21, 2015  | After November 21, 2015
| Democratic Party | 13  | 14
| Republican Party | 26 | 25
Total |  39 |  39
Click [show] to see election information dating back to 1999

### 2011[edit]

See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2011

Elections for the office of Louisiana State Senate consisted of a primary election on October 22, 2011, and a runoff election on November 19, 2011.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 22-17 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 24-15 majority.

| Louisiana State Senate

Party  | As of November 2011  | After the 2011 Election
| Democratic Party | 17  | 15
| Republican Party | 22 | 24
Total |  39 |  39

During the 2011 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $13,611,411. The top 10 contributors were:[9]

2011 Donors, Louisiana State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Peacock, R Barrow  | $315,000
Smith Jr, Gary L  | $300,000
Allain II, Robert L (Bret)  | $265,500
Brown, Troy E  | $198,275
Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Louisiana  | $193,811
Louisiana Republican Party  | $191,448
Republican Legislative Delegation Campaign Cmte Of Louisiana  | $175,000
Tarver, Gregory  | $152,800
Louisiana Democratic Party  | $151,756
Terrell, Troy  | $122,780

### 2007[edit]

See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2007

Elections for the office of Louisiana State Senate consisted of a primary election on October 20, 2007, and a runoff election on November 17, 2007.

Following the 2000 Census, each of Louisiana's 39 state senators represented an average population of 114,589 people. In 2007, Senate candidates raised a total of $18,266,324 in campaign contributions.

Year  | Number of candidates  | Total contributions

|
|

2007  | 90  | $18,266,324
2003  | 95  | $13,648,458

The top 10 donors were:[10]

2007 Donors, Louisiana State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Leach Jr., Claude (Buddy)  | $293,669
Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte of Louisiana  | $249,598
Leach, Claude Buddy  | $237,000
Louisiana Republican Party  | $230,380
Quinn, Patrick & Julie  | $230,000
Peacock, Barrow  | $229,782
Jack Donahue | $205,000
John A. Alario, Jr. | $200,000
Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation Campaign Cmte  | $185,000
Louisiana Association of Business & Industry | $174,344

### 2003[edit]

See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2003

Elections for the office of Louisiana State Senate consisted of a primary election on October 4, 2003, and a runoff election on November 15, 2003.

During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $13,648,458. The top 10 contributors were:[11]

2003 Donors, Louisiana State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Hollis, Ken  | $1,527,736
Boasso, Walter J  | $450,000
Evans, John M  | $299,518
Landry, Wayne J  | $255,000
B&W Farms Inc  | $224,420
Fields, Cleo  | $200,000
Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Louisiana  | $189,150
American Express  | $184,913
Amedee III, Lee (Jody)  | $175,000
Louisiana Association Of Business & Industry  | $159,978

### 1999[edit]

Elections for the office of Louisiana State Senate consisted of a primary election on October 23, 1999, and a runoff election on November 20, 1999.

During the 1999 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $12,374,378. The top 10 contributors were:[12]

1999 Donors, Louisiana State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Louisiana Association Of Business & Industry  | $227,244
Cade, Herbert A  | $167,500
Johnson & Johnson Commodities  | $140,500
Haley, James  | $95,517
Andry IV, Gilbert V  | $94,000
Charbonnet, Louis  | $81,000
Hoyt, Fred  | $75,600
Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Louisiana  | $73,059
Barham, Robert J  | $70,742
Louisiana Medical Association  | $66,882

### Term limits[edit]

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Louisiana legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. It has been a term-limited state legislature since Louisiana voters approved Amendment 2 in 1995, as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1995 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2007. Under Louisiana's term limits, state senators can serve no more than three four-year terms.[13]

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Louisiana State Legislature, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. An election is required if there are six months or more left in the unexpired term. The presiding officer in the house where the vacancy happened must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy occurred. The presiding officer must determine the dates for the election along with all filing deadlines. The person elected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.[14]

See sources: Louisiana Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:601

## District map[edit]

See also: Louisiana state legislative districts

The state of Louisiana has 144 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 39 districts and the state House has 105 districts.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Louisiana

In Louisiana, both congressional and state legislative districts are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor. In the event that the legislature is unable to approve state legislative district boundaries, the state supreme court must draw the lines. There is no such practice that applies to congressional districts.[15]

The state legislature has adopted guidelines for redistricting. These guidelines suggest that both congressional and state legislative districts be contiguous and "respect recognized political boundaries and the natural geography of the state to the extent practicable." These guidelines are non-binding; as such, the legislature may alter them at its discretion.[15]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Louisiana after the 2020 census

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. District Court for Middle Louisiana struck down the state's legislative maps and declared them to be in violation of the Voting Rights Act.[16][17] According to the ruling, the court found the following:

“  | [T]he Enacted State House and Senate Maps crack or pack large and geographically compact minority populations such as Black voters in the challenged districts 'have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and to elect representatives of their choice,' and the Illustrative Plan offered by the Plaintiffs show that additional opportunity districts can be 'reasonable configured.'[17][6] | ”

|
|

The legislative maps that both chambers passed during a special legislative session in February 2022 became law 20 days after their passage as Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) neither signed not vetoed the redistricting plans. The legislative redistricting plan passed the state Senate, 25-11, with all votes in favor by Republicans and 10 Democrats and one Republican voting against. The state House of Representatives approved it by a 82-21 vote with 68 Republicans, 12 Democrats, and two independents voting in favor and 20 Democrats and one independent voting against.[18][19] After the legislature voted on the maps, Tyler Bridges wrote in The Advocate, "Without much fuss, the Republican-controlled Legislature...approved new district boundaries for the state House and Senate that would maintain GOP legislative dominance for the next decade."[20]

Edwards announced on March 9, 2022, that he would not act on the legislative boundaries, releasing a statement that said, in part, "While neither the congressional or legislative maps passed by Louisiana’s Legislature do anything to increase the number of districts where minority voters can elect candidates of their choosing, I do not believe the Legislature has the ability to draw new state House and Senate maps during this upcoming legislative session without the process halting the important work of the state of Louisiana. At a time when we face unprecedented challenges, but have unprecedented opportunities to make historic investments in our future, the Legislature should be focused on the issues in the upcoming session and not concerned about what their own districts will look like in the 2023 elections."[21]

#### District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

This map took effect for Louisiana’s 2023 legislative elections.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Louisiana after the 2010 census

Redistricting work took place in a special session which began March 20, 2011.[22] House Speaker Jim Tucker (R) released his first draft of a House map, HB1, on Friday, March 18, 2011.[23] The House and Senate passed their respective redistricting bills on March 29, 2011.[24] The Department of Justice granted approval to the new House map on June 20, 2011, and approved the Senate map June 29, 2011.

## Sessions[edit]

### Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Louisiana State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

### Dates of legislative sessions in Louisiana by year[edit]

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 11, 2024, and adjourn on June 3, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on April 10, 2023, and adjourn on June 8, 2023.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 14, 2022, and adjourn on June 6, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on April 12, 2021, and adjourn on June 10, 2021.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 9, 2020, and adjourn on June 1, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Louisiana State Legislature initially suspended its session from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2020.[25] After reconvening on March 31, 2020, the legislature suspended its session indefinitely. The legislature resumed its session on May 4, 2020. It adjourned on June 30, 2020.[26][27]

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from April 8, 2019, through June 6, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Louisiana legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from March 12, 2018, through May 18, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from April 10, 2017, through June 8, 2017. The legislature held its first special session from February 13, 2017, to February 22, 2017. The legislature held its second special session from June 8, 2017, to June 16, 2017.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from March 14 through June 6. A special session was held from February 14 to March 9 to address the state's budget gap.[28] A second special session was held from June 6 to June 23.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from April 13 through June 11.

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included a $1.6 billion deficit, increases in the cigarette and gasoline taxes, the Common Core education standards, marijuana legislation, and religious freedom legislation.[29][30][31][32]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from March 10 through June 3.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included Common Core, education funding, Medicaid expansion, the coastal erosion lawsuit filed by the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, and legalization of medical marijuana.[33][34]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from April 8 to June 6.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included the state budget, an overhaul of public education, increasing the retirement age of public workers, gun control, and abortion.[35]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session from March 12 through June 4.

### 2011[edit]

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the Legislature was in regular session from April 25 through June 23. The Legislature undertook a special session from March 20 to April 13, focusing on redistricting following the 2010 census.[36][37]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the Legislature was in session from March 29 to June 21.[38]

### About legislative sessions in Louisiana[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[39] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Louisiana Constitution establishes when the Louisiana State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in even-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene on the last Monday in March and meet for no more than sixty legislative days during a period of eighty-five calendar days. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is to convene on the last Monday in April and meet for no more than forty-five legislative days during a period of sixty calendar days. During regular sessions in odd-numbered years, the Legislature can only consider measures regarding the state budget, revenues, and appropriations.

Section 2 of Article III also allows the Legislature to be called into a special session by the Governor of Louisiana or by a majority of the members of each legislative house. During special sessions, the Legislature can only legislate on matters related to the proclaimed purposes of the session. Section 2 of Article III also authorizes the Governor of Louisiana to call an emergency session without prior notice in the event of a public emergency.[40]

## Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, term limits, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

### Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Louisiana are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 70 of the 105 members in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 of the 39 members in the Louisiana State Senate. Louisiana is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

According to Article III, Section 18 of the Louisiana Constitution, the legislature shall convene 40 days after the legislative session has ended to consider veto overrides for a period not to exceed five days. If a majority of members agree, the veto session can be cancelled.

Authority: Article III, Section 18 of the Louisiana Constitution.

"A bill vetoed and returned and subsequently approved by two-thirds of the elected members of each house shall become law. The legislature shall meet in veto session in the state capital at noon on the fortieth day following final adjournment of the most recent session, to consider all bills vetoed by the governor. "

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Louisiana state budget and finances
Louisiana on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is:[41]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies by September 20.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests by November 15.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature 45 days before the legislature convenes. (Newly elected governors have until 30 days before the legislature convenes.)
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.[42] The fiscal year begins July 1.

Louisiana is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[41][43]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature must pass a balanced budget.[41]

## Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Louisiana state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

* Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
* Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
* Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Louisiana State Senate has 17 standing committees:

* Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Committee
* Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs Committee
* Environmental Quality Committee
* Finance Committee
* Health & Welfare Committee
* Judiciary A Committee
* Judiciary B Committee
* Judiciary C Committee
* Labor & Industrial Relations Committee
* Local & Municipal Affairs Committee
* Natural Resources Committee
* Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee
* Senate & Governmental Affairs Committee
* Senate Education Committee
* Senate Insurance Committee
* Senate Retirement Committee
* Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Louisiana Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XIII of the Louisiana Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Louisiana

The Louisiana Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Louisiana requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

#### Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According to Article XII, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one session of the Louisiana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 70 votes in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Louisiana State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. Amendments can be referred to the ballot in odd-numbered years and even-numbered years in Louisiana.

#### Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Article XII, the state legislature can provide for the calling of a constitutional convention by law enacted by two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the legislature.

Historical context: A total of 112 constitutional amendments appeared on the statewide ballot in Louisiana during even-numbered years from 2000 through 2022. Of the 112 amendments, 77 (68.75%) were approved and 35 (31.25%) were defeated.

Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments, 2000-2022

Total number | Approved | Percent approved | Defeated | Percent defeated | Even-year average | Even-year median | Even-year minimum | Even-year maximum
112 | 77 | 68.75% | 35 | 31.25% | 9 | 8 | 4 | 21

2025 measures:

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

2024 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.

See also: Louisiana 2024 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.
Louisiana 48-Hour Waiting Period for Concurrence on Appropriation Bills Amendment| Democrats| Republicans

|
|

Senate:| Required: 26| Yes votes: 32 (82.05%)| No votes: 0 (0.00%)| Yes: 7; No: 0| Yes: 25; No: 0
House:| Required: 70| Yes votes: 98 (93.33%)| No votes: 0 (6.67%)| Yes: 28; No: 0| Yes: 69; No: 0
Louisiana Allow Legislature to Extend Regular Sessions to Pass Appropriations Bills Amendment| Democrats| Republicans
Senate:| Required: 26| Yes votes: 32 (82.05%)| No votes: 0 (0.00%)| Yes: 7; No: 0| Yes: 25; No: 0
House:| Required: 70| Yes votes: 92 (87.62%)| No votes: 1 (0.95%)| Yes: 26; No: 1| Yes: 65; No: 0
Louisiana Judiciary Commission Investigation of Sitting Judges Amendment| Democrats| Republicans
Senate:| Required: 26| Yes votes: 37 (94.9%%)| No votes: 0 (0%%)| Yes: 9; No: 0| Yes: 28; No: 0
House:| Required: 70| Yes votes: 94 (89.5%)| No votes: 3 (2.9%)| Yes: 22; No: 3| Yes: 71; No: 0
Louisiana Outer Continental Shelf Revenues for Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund Amendment| Democrats| Republicans
Senate:| Required: 26| Yes votes: 33 (84.6%%)| No votes: 3 (7.7%%)| Yes: 11; No: 0| Yes: 22; No: 3
House:| Required: 70| Yes votes: 100 (95.24%)| No votes: 0 (0.00%)| Yes: 30; No: 0| Yes: 69; No: 0
Louisiana Property Tax Sales Administration Amendment| Democrats| Republicans
Senate:| Required: 26| Yes votes: 35 (89.7%)| No votes: 1 (2.6%)| Yes: 10; No: 0| Yes: 25; No: 1
House:| Required: 70| Yes votes: 94 (89.5%)| No votes: 0 (0.00%)| Yes: 29; No: 0| Yes: 65; No: 0

## See also[edit]

Elections | Louisiana State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

|
|
|

* Louisiana State Senate elections, 2023
* Louisiana State Senate elections, 2019
* Louisiana State Senate special elections, 2017
* Louisiana State Senate elections, 2015

* Louisiana State Legislature
* Louisiana House of Representatives
* Governor of Louisiana
* Louisiana Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures

## External links[edit]

* Louisiana State Legislature
* Louisiana State Senate
* Louisiana House of Representatives

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Louisiana State Senate, "Rules of Order - Chapter 3: Officers," accessed February 10, 2021
2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
3. ↑ Louisiana Constitution, "Article 3, Section 5," accessed February 10, 2021
4. ↑ Louisiana Constitution, "Article 4, Section 3," accessed February 10, 2021
5. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Qualifications of Candidates," accessed February 10, 2023
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
7. ↑ The Thicket, "Why do Four States Have Odd-Year Elections?" August 25, 2011
8. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "2015 Elections," accessed January 2, 2015
9. ↑ Follow the Money, "Louisiana 2011 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
10. ↑ Follow the Money, "Louisiana 2007 Candidates," accessed July 10, 2014
11. ↑ Follow the Money, "Louisiana 2003 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
12. ↑ Follow the Money, "Louisiana 1999 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
13. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Constitutional and Statutory Provisions for Term Limits," accessed February 10, 2021
14. ↑ Louisiana Legislature, "Louisiana Election Code," accessed February 10, 2021 (Statute 18:601, Louisiana Statutes)
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 All About Redistricting, "Louisiana," accessed April 30, 2015
16. ↑ NOLA.com. "Louisiana must redraw its legislative districts, federal judge rules. Here's why." February 8, 2024
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Twitter. "RedistrictNet," February 8, 2024
18. ↑ Louisiana State Legislature, "2022 First Extraordinary Session - HB14," accessed February 24, 2022
19. ↑ The Advocate. "Legislature ends redistricting session by passing new maps for state House and Senate, PSC and BESE," February 18, 2022
20. ↑ The Advocate. "Legislature ends redistricting session by passing new maps for state House and Senate, PSC and BESE," February 18, 2022
21. ↑ State of Louisiana, Office of the Governor, "Gov. Edwards Vetoes Proposed Congressional District Map, Announces Other Action on Newly Drawn District Maps," March 9, 2022
22. ↑ Bayou Buzz, "Louisiana, States: Get Redistricting Out of Legislator's Jar," December 22, 2010 (dead link)
23. ↑ New Orleans Times Picayune, "Redistricting plans set up battle lines in Legislature," March 18, 2011
24. ↑ The Advocate, "Louisiana House approves redistricting plan," March 29, 2011
25. ↑ WDSU, "Louisiana state legislature will temporarily adjourn due to COVID-19," March 16, 2020
26. ↑ Bossier Press-Tribune, "Louisiana legislature meets briefly before suspending session again," March 31, 2020
27. ↑ The Advocate, "75% in attendance and many without masks: Louisiana legislature reconvenes amid coronavirus," May 4, 2020
28. ↑ Washington Times, "Edwards officially calls special session on budget, taxes," accessed February 8, 2016
29. ↑ The Times-Picayune, "2015 Louisiana Legislature: What to expect from Bobby Jindal, lawmakers," April 11, 2015
30. ↑ American Press, "How different will session be?" April 12, 2015
31. ↑ Bossier Press-Tribune, "Jindal taps budget, education, relgious freedom as major 2015 session issues," April 13, 2015
32. ↑ Gannett Louisiana, "Marijuana fight returning to Legislature this session," April 12, 2015
33. ↑ Associated Press, "Jindal pushes worker training as legislative session opens," March 10, 2014
34. ↑ American Press, "Education, lawsuit key issues," March 9, 2014
35. ↑ wwltv.com, "A look at major issues at session's halfway point," April 24, 2013
36. ↑ Louisiana House of Representatives, "2011 Regular Session Journals," accessed February 10, 2021
37. ↑ Louisiana House of Representatives, "2011 1st Extraordinary Session Journals," accessed February 10, 2021
38. ↑ Louisiana House of Representatives, "2010 Regular Session Journals," accessed February 10, 2021
39. ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed February 10, 2021
40. ↑ Louisiana State Senate, "Constitution of Louisiana," accessed February 10, 2021
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
42. ↑ For budgets with one-time money, two-thirds of elected House members must approve for it to pass.
43. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024

v • e

State legislatures

Legislatures|

Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S)

* * *

2024|

State legislative elections (2024) • State legislative special elections (2024) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2024 Session Dates

* * *

2023|

State legislative elections (2023) • State legislative special elections (2023) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2023 Session Dates

* * *

Historical elections|

2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000

* * *

Features of
state legislatures|

How vacancies are filled in state legislatures • States with a full-time legislature • State legislatures with term limits • Comparison of state legislative salaries • When state legislators assume office after a general election • Population represented by state legislators • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures • State legislative sessions • Resign-to-run law • State legislature candidate requirements by state • Official names of state legislatures • State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts • Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections

* * *

State senates|

Length of terms of state senators • State senators • Partisan composition of state senates • State senators sorted by year first elected

* * *

State houses|

Length of terms of state representatives • State representatives • Partisan composition of state houses • State representatives sorted by year first elected

* * *

Leadership positions|

President of the Senate • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Senate Minority Leader • House Majority Leader • House Minority Leader • State Speaker of the House

v • e

Ballotpedia

About|

Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities

* * *

Executive: Leslie Graves, President • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer

Communications: Alison Graves • Carley Allensworth • Abigail Campbell • Sarah Groat • Dillon Redmond • Erica Shumaker
External Relations: Andrew Heath • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski • Amanda Herbert • Mandy Morris • Caroline Presnell • Kelly Rindfleisch
Policy: Molly Byrne • Jon Dunn • Jacob Hupp • Jimmy McAllister • Annelise Reinwald
Content Strategy: Josh Altic
Tech: Matt Latourelle • Ryan Burch • Kirsten Corrao • Beth Dellea • Travis Eden • Tate Kamish • Margaret Kearney • Eric Lotto • Joseph Sanchez

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

* * *

Editorial Content|

Geoff Pallay, Director of Editorial Content and Editor-in-Chief • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Doug Kronaizl, Local Elections Project Manager • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Joseph Brusgard • Emma Burlingame • Kelly Coyle • Thomas Ellis • Nicole Fisher • Brianna Hosea • Joseph Greaney • Thomas Grobben • Jaime Healy-Plotkin • Tyler King • Glorie Martinez • Nathan Maxwell • Ellie Mikus • Jackie Mitchell • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Kaley Platek • Samantha Post • Adam Powell • Ethan Rice • Spencer Richardson • Victoria Rose • Briana Ryan • Myj Saintyl • Maddy Salucka • Maddie Sinclair Johnson • Abbey Smith • Ethan Sorell • Janie Valentine • Joel Williams • Samuel Wonacott • Trenton Woodcox • Mercedes Yanora

v • e

State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2024 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy