Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB979: LAW ENFORCE/OFFICERS: Increases the benefit paid to survivors of law enforcement officers and firemen (EN +$800,000 GF EX See Note)
Status: Signed into law, June 12, 2026
What the bill says
An act To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1), relative to survivor benefits for certain first responders; to provide for the amount of benefits paid to certain beneficiaries in certain circumstances; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1), relative to survivor benefits for certain first responders; to provide for the amount of benefits paid to certain beneficiaries in certain circumstances; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: §1665. Financial security for surviving spouses and children of firemen in certain cases * * * C.(1) In any case in which a fireman suffers death as a result of an injury arising out of and in the course of the performance of his official duties as a fireman, or arising out of any activity while on or off duty, in his capacity as a fireman, in the protection of life and property, the sum of two three hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be paid to the surviving spouse of the fireman or, if not survived by a spouse, the sum of two three hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be paid to the surviving child or children or, if not survived by a spouse nor a child or children, then the sum of two three hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be paid to the named beneficiary listed on the fireman's designation form or, …
Sponsors
- Wiley, Jeffrey (R, 81) · primary sponsor
- Adams, Roy (D, 62)
- Bacala, Tony (R, 59)
- Bagley, Larry (R, 7)
- Bamburg Jr., Dennis (R, 5)
- Bayham Jr., Michael (R, 103)
- Billings, Beth (R, 56)
- Boudreaux, Doyle (R, 39)
- Bourriaque, Ryan (R, 47)
- Boyer, Chad (R, 46)
- Braud, Jacob (R, 105)
- Broussard, Reese (R, 37)
Latest actions
- : Effective date: 07/01/2026.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 909.
- : 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 96, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- : Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- : Received from the Senate with amendments.
- : Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Called from the Calendar.
Votes
- House Vote on HB 979, CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1744) (May 29, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Vote on HB 979, FINAL PASSAGE (#1479) (May 27, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 979, FINAL PASSAGE (#743) (April 27, 2026): 103 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB979?
- HB979 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): LAW ENFORCE/OFFICERS: Increases the benefit paid to survivors of law enforcement officers and firemen (EN +$800,000 GF EX See Note).
- What does HB979 do?
- In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1), relative to survivor benefits for certain first responders; to provide for the amount of benefits paid to certain beneficiaries in certain circumstances; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB979?
- Signed into law as of June 12, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 07/01/2026. (June 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB979?
- Wiley, Jeffrey (R, 81), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB979?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB979
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.