Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana SB164: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Provides relative to first responders. (gov sig)
Status: Signed into law, May 29, 2026
What the bill says
An act To amend and reenact R.S. 23:1017.1(6) and R.S. 29:739(C) and to enact R.S. 29:723(21), relative to first responders; to expand the definition of "first responder" to include public works employees; to provide for a definition of "public works employee"; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 23:1017.1(6) and R.S. 29:739(C) and to enact R.S. 29:723(21), relative to first responders; to expand the definition of "first responder" to include public works employees; to provide for a definition of "public works employee"; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 23:1017.1(6) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: §1017.1. Definitions Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words and terms, when used in this Part, shall have the following meanings: * * * (6) "First responder" means a volunteer engaged in activities involving the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness pursuant to R.S. 29:721 et seq., and first responders as defined in R.S. 29:723 including but not limited to medical personnel, emergency and medical technicians, volunteer firemen, auxiliary law enforcement officers, state agency essential workers, emergency service dispatchers, emergency response operators, electrical linemen as defined by Page 1 of Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SLS 26RS-307 ORIGINAL SB NO. R.S. 29:723, public works employees as defined in R.S. 29:723, and members of the Civil Air Patrol. * * * Section 2. R.S. 29:739(C) is hereby amended and …
Sponsors
- McMath, Patrick (R, 11) · primary sponsor
- Carver, Kim (R, 89)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 5/29/2026.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 467.
- : Signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
- : Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays.
- : Received from the House with amendments.
- : Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
- : Scheduled for floor debate on 05/18/2026.
- : Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.
Votes
- Senate Vote on SB 164, CONCUR (#1039) (May 20, 2026): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote on SB 164, FINAL PASSAGE (#1315) (May 18, 2026): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Vote on SB 164, FINAL PASSAGE (#35) (March 17, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB164?
- SB164 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Provides relative to first responders. (gov sig).
- What does SB164 do?
- In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 23:1017.1(6) and R.S. 29:739(C) and to enact R.S. 29:723(21), relative to first responders; to expand the definition of "first responder" to include public works employees; to provide for a definition of "public works employee"; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of SB164?
- Signed into law as of May 29, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 5/29/2026. (May 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB164?
- McMath, Patrick (R, 11), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB164?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=SB164
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.