Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB39: LAW ENFORCE/OFFICERS: Requires peace officers to be citizens of the United States
Status: Signed into law, May 22, 2026
What the bill says
An act To enact R.S. 40:2402(5) and 2404.4, relative to the qualification of peace officers in Louisiana; to provide for definitions; to provide that peace officers shall be United States citizens; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To enact R.S. 40:2402(5) and 2404.4, relative to the qualification of peace officers in Louisiana; to provide for definitions; to provide that peace officers shall be United States citizens; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 40:2402(5) and 2404.4 are hereby enacted to read as follows: §2402. Definitions As used in this Chapter: * * * (5) "United States citizen" shall have the same meaning as "United States citizen" in 42 USC 9102(18). * * * §2404.4. Peace officers; United States citizen In addition to all training requirements and qualifications for employment provided in this Chapter and any other provision of law, in order to be certified as a law enforcement peace officer in Louisiana, the person shall be a United States citizen. Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-331 ORIGINAL HB NO. DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 39 Original 2026 Regular Session Firment Abstract: Requires peace officers to be citizens of the United States. Present …
Sponsors
- Firment, Michael (R, 22) · primary sponsor
- Adams, Roy (D, 62)
- Amedée, Beryl (R, 51)
- Butler, Rhonda (R, 38)
- Edmonston, Kathy (R, 88)
- Gallé Jr., Jack (R, 104)
- Hebert, Troy (R, 31)
- Horton, Dodie (R, 9)
- Johnson, Mike (R, 27)
- Mack, Shane (R, 95)
- Orgeron, Joseph (R, 54)
- Owen, Charles (R, 30)
Latest actions
- : Effective date: See Act.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 283.
- : Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
- : Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Read by title, roll called, yeas 74, nays 22, Senate amendments concurred in.
- : Scheduled for concurrence on 05/13/2026.
- : Received from the Senate with amendments.
- : Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 29 yeas and 7 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
Votes
- House Vote on HB 39, CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1227) (May 13, 2026): 74 yea, 22 nay, passed
- Senate Vote on HB 39, FINAL PASSAGE (#725) (May 11, 2026): 29 yea, 7 nay, passed
- Senate Vote on HB 39, CO-AUTHORS (#726) (May 11, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 39, FINAL PASSAGE (#553) (April 15, 2026): 65 yea, 24 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB39?
- HB39 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): LAW ENFORCE/OFFICERS: Requires peace officers to be citizens of the United States.
- What does HB39 do?
- In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 40:2402(5) and 2404.4, relative to the qualification of peace officers in Louisiana; to provide for definitions; to provide that peace officers shall be United States citizens; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB39?
- Signed into law as of May 22, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: See Act. (May 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB39?
- Firment, Michael (R, 22), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB39?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB39
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.