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HB 393

ELECTIONS/BOND & TAX: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for eligible election dates for bond and tax elections (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bryan Fontenot

HB 393 would require local bond and tax elections to be held only during regularly scheduled statewide elections or, in years without such elections, with a New Orleans regularly s

Read by title, returned to the calendar.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 393

Summary of HB 393 (2026, Louisiana) — ELECTIONS/BOND & TAX: (Constitutional Amendment)

Purpose and Intent

  • Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article VI, Section 22 to set specific eligibility windows for local government bond and tax elections.
  • The aim is to ensure local bond and tax elections are held during nationally or statewide regularly scheduled elections (congressional or gubernatorial) or, in years with no such statewide election, at the same time as a regularly scheduled election in New Orleans.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2028.
  • Submission to voters: The amendment would be placed on the statewide ballot for the November 3, 2026 election.

Key Provisions

  1. When Elections May Occur (Substantive Change)

    • Local bond and tax elections may only be held during:
      • A regularly scheduled statewide congressional or gubernatorial election that is not a party primary election, or
      • In a calendar year with no regularly scheduled statewide congressional or gubernatorial election, at the same time as a regularly scheduled election in New Orleans (if applicable).

  2. Two-Thirds Legislative Authorization

    • A special local election may also be authorized by law enacted with a two-thirds vote of both houses of the legislature.

  3. Relation to Existing Procedures

    • The bill preserves the existing framework for how such elections are called, conducted, and canvassed, tying those procedures to the current law governing bonded indebtedness and local finance taxes, or as otherwise provided by law.

  4. Effective Date and Submission

    • Effective date: January 1, 2028.
    • The amendment would be presented to voters at the statewide election on November 3, 2026.
    • Ballot language would propose: “Do you support an amendment to require that any local bond or tax election be held only during a regularly scheduled congressional or gubernatorial election, or in a calendar year when there is no regularly scheduled congressional or gubernatorial election, at the same time as a regularly scheduled election in New Orleans? (Amends Article VI, Section 22)”

Who Is Affected

  • Local governments that seek to incur bonded indebtedness or impose/raise special taxes for local finance purposes.
  • Electors within Louisiana who vote in local bond and tax elections.
  • The state, through the constitution, by delineating eligible election dates and the process for authorizing these elections.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Legislative action: HB 393 is a joint resolution requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to place this constitutional amendment before the voters.
  • Public vote: If approved by the Legislature, the amendment would be submitted to Louisiana voters on November 3, 2026.
  • Implementation: If voters approve, the amendment takes effect January 1, 2028.
  • Practical effect: Local bond/tax election planning would need to align with the specified eligible election dates, limiting scheduling flexibility for future bond or tax measures that require voter approval.

Potential Implications

  • Regulatory certainty for bond/tax issuance timing, potentially stabilizing election logistics and voter attention by aligning with major statewide elections.
  • Possible reduced frequency or timing options for local finance measures, depending on the election calendar.
  • For New Orleans, special alignment provisions allow holding certain local elections during years without statewide elections, but only at times synchronized with other regularly scheduled elections in New Orleans (if applicable).

Bottom-Line

HB 393 seeks to constrain local bond and tax elections to occur only during regularly scheduled statewide elections (congressional or gubernatorial) or, in years without such elections, alongside a regularly scheduled New Orleans election, with a two-thirds legislative path required for any special elections. If enacted, the amendment would take effect in 2028 and be subject to voter approval in 2026.

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

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