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Bill

HB 492

DWI: Creates the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doyle Boudreaux and 12 co-sponsors

Creates the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving to coordinate cross-agency efforts and reduce impaired driving fatalities in Louisiana.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 492

Summary of HB 492 (Louisiana, 2026 Session)

Purpose and Intent

  • Creates the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving. The overarching goal is to reduce impaired driving incidents and related fatalities in Louisiana.
  • Establishes the policy, purpose, and framework for the task force, including its structure, duties, funding, and cooperation with other agencies.

Key Provisions and Changes

Establishment and Organization

  • Creates the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving (referred to as the task force).
  • Defines the task force’s policy, purpose, and objectives aimed at reducing impaired driving.
  • Specifies details regarding establishment, membership, organization, domicile (office location), staffing responsibilities, procedures, powers, duties, functions, and funding.

Membership and Representation

  • Original bill establishes a set of members; amendments adjust the composition:

    • Amendment adds a representative from the American Automobile Association (AAA) focusing on roadside assistance and impaired driving prevention.
    • Amendment adds one additional at-large representative appointed by the governor (increasing the pool of at-large seats).

  • Note: The amendments increase the number of members and broaden representation to include a national association with roadside safety expertise.

Cooperation and Resources

  • Allows for assistance and cooperation from other agencies in carrying out the task force’s work.
  • Provides for the use of certain facilities to support the task force’s activities.

Legal and Analytical Support

  • Requires the Attorney General to assist the task force.
  • The Attorney General must provide written opinions on any subject requested by the Legislative Fiscal Officer.

Fiscal and Administrative Provisions

  • The bill adds provisions related to staffing, funding, and operational procedures, ensuring the task force has the resources needed to fulfill its duties.

Who Would Be Affected

  • State government actors including:
    • Governor (through appointment and leadership of the task force)
    • Attorney General (providing assistance and legal opinions)
    • Legislative Fiscal Officer (requesting opinions from the AG)
    • Other state agencies involved in impaired driving policy, road safety, and traffic enforcement
  • External stakeholders:
    • The American Automobile Association (AAA) would have representation on the task force.
    • At-large representatives appointed by the governor.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill adds enabling authority for the task force and outlines its organizational framework. It does not specify a sunset date or explicit implementation timeline within the provided text, but it implies an ongoing advisory and coordinating role at the state level.
  • Action history shows initial referral to the Judiciary Committee in late February 2026 and consideration by that committee in March 2026.

Summary of Amendments (House Committee Amendments)

  1. Increase the size of the task force by adjusting the number of required members (via the governance structure) and adding at-large representation.
  2. Add a representative from the American Automobile Association (AAA) specializing in roadside assistance and impaired driving prevention to the task force.
  3. Replace the term for an at-large appointment from “Three” to “Four,” reflecting an expanded membership structure.

Why This Matters

  • By formalizing a Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving, Louisiana aims to coordinate cross-agency efforts, leverage external expertise (including AAA), and create a structured approach to reducing impaired driving and related fatalities.
  • The inclusion of the AG’s optional opinions and the governor's ability to appoint additional at-large members signals a flexible, consultative framework designed to adapt to emerging challenges in impaired driving prevention and enforcement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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