Louisiana SB415: HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Creates the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

What the bill says

An act To enact Subpart E of Part II of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 46:290, relative to food purchase cards; to create the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; to provide for the duties of the Louisiana Department of Health; to provide for criteria for nonprofit organization participation; to provide for funding; to provide for records; to provide for reporting; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To enact Subpart E of Part II of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 46:290, relative to food purchase cards; to create the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; to provide for the duties of the Louisiana Department of Health; to provide for criteria for nonprofit organization participation; to provide for funding; to provide for records; to provide for reporting; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. Subpart E of Part II of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 46:290, is hereby enacted to read as follows: SUBPART E. EMPOWER LOUISIANA FOOD PURCHASE PROGRAM §290. Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; Louisiana Department of Health A. The Louisiana Department of Health shall establish and administer the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program. The program shall make restricted-use food purchase cards available for issuance through qualified nonprofit organizations. Page 1 of Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SLS 26RS-346 ORIGINAL SB NO. B.(1) The department shall partner with qualified nonprofit organizations that operate food assistance programs in Louisiana. (2) To qualify for participation in the program, the organization shall be …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Abraham, Mark (R, 25) · primary sponsor
• Amedée, Beryl (R, 51)
• Berault, Stephanie (R, 76)
• Billings, Beth (R, 56)
• Boudreaux, Doyle (R, 39)
• Broussard, Reese (R, 37)
• Carver, Kim (R, 89)
• Chassion, Tehmi (D, 44)
• Dickerson, Kellee (R, 64)
• Egan Sr., Peter (R, 74)
• Fisher, Adrian (D, 16)
• Freeman, Aimee (D, 98)

Latest actions

1. May 29, 2026: Effective date 8/1/2026.
2. May 29, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 508.
3. May 26, 2026: Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
4. May 26, 2026: Signed by the Speaker of the House.
5. May 26, 2026: Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
6. May 25, 2026: Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays.
7. May 19, 2026: Received from the House with amendments.
8. May 19, 2026: Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
9. May 18, 2026: Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.
10. May 18, 2026: Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

Votes

• Senate Vote on SB 415, CONCUR (#1185) (May 25, 2026): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote on SB 415, FINAL PASSAGE (#1383) (May 19, 2026): 98 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on SB 415, FINAL PASSAGE (#401) (April 21, 2026): 35 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB415?

SB415 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Creates the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note).

What does SB415 do?

In its own words: An act To enact Subpart E of Part II of Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 46:290, relative to food purchase cards; to create the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; to provide for the duties of the Louisiana Department of Health; to provide for criteria for nonprofit organization participation; to provide for funding; to provide for records; to provide for reporting; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of SB415?

Signed into law as of May 29, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 8/1/2026. (May 29, 2026).

Who sponsored SB415?

Abraham, Mark (R, 25), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB415?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=SB415