MILITARY AFFAIRS: Provides relative to the membership of the Louisiana Military Advisory Council. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Reese

SB 317 expands the Louisiana Military Advisory Council from 19 to 21 members by adding the chairs (or designees) of the Senate and House military and veterans affairs committees.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 381.

Summary of Bill: SB 317 (Louisiana) – 2026 Regular Session

Purpose and intent

The bill amends and reenacts provisions governing the membership of the Louisiana Military Advisory Council.

Primary aim: Increase the size of the council from 19 members to 21 members.

Key provisions and changes

Amends the introductory paragraph of R.S. 29:62(A) and 62(A)(1) to modify composition.

Current law: Louisiana Military Advisory Council consists of 19 members.

New law: The council will consist of 21 members. -新增 member positions:

The chair of the Senate Select Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, or his designee.
The chair of the House of Representatives Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, or his designee.

Other existing voting members remain as previously established (including the governor, adjutant general, presiding officers of the Legislature, and certain agency secretaries and committee chairs as specified in the statute).

Affected individuals or entities

Louisiana Military Advisory Council members (expanded pool).

Specifically, the chairs of:

Senate Select Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs; and
House of Representatives Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs; both, or their designees, gain voting seats on the council.

No change to eligibility criteria or appointment processes is described beyond the addition of the two named chair positions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective date: August 1, 2026.

Status and history:

Reported favorably by committee (15-0) and advanced through the legislative process.
Part of the 2026 Regular Session (SB 317, introduced by Senator Reese).

Amends specific statutory sections: RS 29:62(A)(intro para) and 62(A)(1).

Potential impact and commentary

Governance: The council gains two additional members, potentially increasing representation from Senate and House committees overseeing military and veterans affairs.

Operational: More members could enhance oversight, broaden perspectives, and improve coordination between legislative committees and the council.

Considerations: With added members, the council may experience changes in quorum dynamics and decision-making timelines, though no procedural changes beyond membership are specified in the bill.

Overall, SB 317 modestly expands the Louisiana Military Advisory Council by two seats, elevating the role of the legislative leadership committees on military and veterans affairs in the council’s composition, effective August 1, 2026.