Louisiana HB398: PUBLIC OFFLS/EMPS: Prohibits payment for meals and incidental expenses for state public officials and employees from exceeding amounts for such expenses established by the U.S. General Services Administration

What the bill says

An act To amend and reenact R.S. 39:231(A) and to enact R.S. 13:6, R.S. 24:16, and R.S. 39:231(E), relative to travel by state government officers and employees; to provide a maximum for payments by the state for certain types of travel expenses; to provide exceptions; to provide for applicability; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 39:231(A) and to enact R.S. 13:6, R.S. 24:16, and R.S. 39:231(E), relative to travel by state government officers and employees; to provide a maximum for payments by the state for certain types of travel expenses; to provide exceptions; to provide for applicability; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 13:6 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §6. Maximum payment for lodging, meals, or incidental expenses for certain agencies and entities in the judicial branch A. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no court authorized by Article V of the Constitution of Louisiana or any state entity in the judicial branch shall pay more for lodging, meals, or incidental expenses for any officer or employee than the rates established by the United States General Services Administration for such expenses. B. For a conference or meeting that has lodging reserved or recommended near the conference or meeting facility, if an officer or employee submits documentation proving that it would cost less to stay at the reserved or recommended lodging rather than elsewhere and commute, the officer or employee may be Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Zeringue, Jerome (R, 52) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. June 8, 2026: Effective date: 07/01/2026.
2. June 8, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 799.
3. June 1, 2026: Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
4. June 1, 2026: Signed by the President of the Senate.
5. May 31, 2026: Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6. May 29, 2026: Read by title, roll called, yeas 89, nays 5, Senate amendments concurred in.
7. May 27, 2026: Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
8. May 26, 2026: Received from the Senate with amendments.
9. May 26, 2026: Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 10 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
10. May 25, 2026: Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

Votes

• House Vote on HB 398, CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1680) (May 29, 2026): 89 yea, 5 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on HB 398, FINAL PASSAGE (#1335) (May 26, 2026): 27 yea, 10 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 398, FINAL PASSAGE (#819) (April 29, 2026): 63 yea, 31 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB398?

HB398 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PUBLIC OFFLS/EMPS: Prohibits payment for meals and incidental expenses for state public officials and employees from exceeding amounts for such expenses established by the U.S. General Services Administration.

What does HB398 do?

In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 39:231(A) and to enact R.S. 13:6, R.S. 24:16, and R.S. 39:231(E), relative to travel by state government officers and employees; to provide a maximum for payments by the state for certain types of travel expenses; to provide exceptions; to provide for applicability; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of HB398?

Signed into law as of June 8, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 07/01/2026. (June 8, 2026).

Who sponsored HB398?

Zeringue, Jerome (R, 52).

Where is the official record for HB398?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB398