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HB 1126

LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES: Makes appropriations for the expenses of the legislature for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jack McFarland

Allocates $94.54M General Fund for FY2026-27 to fund Louisiana Legislature operations, offices, staff, facilities upgrades, and creates a Legislative Auditor Ancillary Enterprise F

Effective date: 07/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1126

Summary of Bill HB 1126 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Title

Legislative Expenses: Makes appropriations for the expenses of the legislature for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

Purpose and Intent

  • Provide appropriations for the operating expenses of the Louisiana Legislature for FY 2026-2027.
  • Cover salaries, allowances, and expenses for members and staff of both houses, legislative service agencies, and related entities (e.g., Legislative Auditor, Legislative Fiscal Office, Legislative Budgetary Control Council, Louisiana State Law Institute).
  • Establish and allocate funds for specific legislative offices and enterprise funds to support operating needs and infrastructure.

Key Provisions and Changes

overall funding

  • Total appropriation from the state general fund: $94,541,665 for FY 2026-2027.
  • Self-generated funds allocated: $25,104,188 (to supplement the Legislative Auditor's operations, among other uses).
  • The bill also notes continuing authority to receive/disburse grants or donations under constitutional provisions.

allocations by entity (state general fund)

  • House of Representatives: $61,115,811 (primarily for salaries, allowances, travel, and operating expenses; includes presiding officer expenses and staff, committee expenses, and improvements to legislative facilities and technology).
  • House/Senate operations (combined for certain functions): funds cover audio-visual systems, information networks, printing, library services, accessibility services, and other legislative expenses.
  • Senate: $28,117,511 (salaries, allowances, presiding officer expenses, mileage, per diem, office expenses, etc.).
  • Legislative Auditor: $15,295,000
  • Legislative Fiscal Office: $3,791,600
  • Louisiana State Law Institute: $1,226,277
  • Legislative Budgetary Control Council: $13,112,977

specific program and organizational provisions

  • Section 2(A)(1): Explicitly allocates funds for salaries/allowances of House members and officers, salaries/allowances for Senate leadership, mileage, per diem for members and committees, and office expenses. Also funds renovations/maintenance to chambers, audio-visual/IT capabilities, printing, library services, accessibility, and related legislative needs.
  • Additional annual provision: Adds an extra $275 per month to each legislator’s total for the salary of legislative assistants (increases to available funds for assistants beyond the base amount; details provided in the text).
  • Section 3: Establishes a dedicated Legislative Auditor Ancillary Enterprise Fund
    • Initial appropriation: $350,000 to establish the fund as agency working capital.
    • Authorized use: $25,104,188 available to the Legislative Auditor for expenses, salaries, equipment, and operations in FY 2026-2027.
    • Revenue/expense mechanics: The auditor may seek reimbursement for audits of federally funded programs and other self-generated revenues; such revenues are deposited into the Ancillary Enterprise Fund and are available for expenditure up to the total appropriation, with approval by Legislative Budgetary Control Council for any increases.
    • Transfers and warrants: Monies drawn must be warrant-based and deposited with the Treasurer; self-generated revenues and other appropriations are to be returned to the General Fund if unspent/unencumbered by Oct 1, 2027.
  • Section 4: Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget funds for the Legislative Fiscal Office
    • Allocation: $3,791,600 for LFO operations (salaries, equipment, etc.) for FY 2026-2027.
    • Oversight: Budget approvals through the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget; consultant contracts require LBC and joint committee approval; unspent funds returned by Oct 1, 2027.
  • Section 5: Louisiana State Law Institute
    • Allocation: $1,226,277 from state general fund for operations, salaries, equipment, etc.
    • Oversight: Budget approved by the Legislative Budgetary Control Council.
  • Section 6: Legislative Budgetary Control Council funding
    • Allocation: $13,112,977 to the council (salary costs for certain employees, Huey P. Long Memorial Law Library, Poynter Library, professional services, interim committee expenses, capitol building-related costs, equipment, and other expenses).
    • Oversight: Warranted and paid with preference over other warrants except for constitutional officers; funds deposited in the Council’s account; unspent funds returned to the General Fund by Oct 1, 2027.
  • Section 7: Compensation guidance
    • Provides that legislator compensation shall be equal to the rate allowable for per diem deductions under federal tax rules (26 U.S.C. 162(h)(1)(B)(ii)) for the location of the state capitol during attendance.
  • Section 8: Comparative operating budget statement
    • Provides FY 2025-2026 vs FY 2026-2027 operating budget comparison for transparency; total state general fund remains consistent at the levels shown, with changes in line-item allocations (notably a shift to self-generated funds for certain entities).
  • Section 9: Effective date
    • Effective July 1, 2026 (subject to potential gubernatorial veto and legislative approval).

Who Is Affected

  • Members, officers, and staff of both the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate.
  • Legislative service agencies, including:
    • Legislative Auditor (and Ancillary Enterprise Fund)
    • Legislative Fiscal Office
    • Louisiana State Law Institute
    • Legislative Budgetary Control Council
  • Legislative committees and joint committees (including interim activities and Capitol-related projects).
  • General public through increased transparency of budget documents and accessibility enhancements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Final passage history shows enrollment and passage in April 2026, with the act becoming effective if not vetoed or, if vetoed, subject to subsequent legislative approval.
  • Unspent funds for many sections are to be returned to the state general fund by October 1, 2027.
  • The bill explicitly contemplates the use of self-generated revenues and grants/donations, with governance and oversight by appropriate legislative councils.

Notable Points

  • The bill creates an agency working capital fund for the Legislative Auditor and expands authority to recover certain audit costs from auditees.
  • It adds a new funding mechanism (Legislative Auditor Ancillary Enterprise Fund) to support self-generated revenue activities.
  • It reiterates and clarifies per diem/mileage and salary structures for legislators, including a targeted adjustment for legislative assistants.
  • It maintains a transparent, comparative budgeting framework to show changes from FY 2025-2026 to FY 2026-2027.

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

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