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SB 148

PLANNING/ZONING: Provides for compensation to the members of the Lake Charles planning commission. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Stine

Allows Lake Charles to pay per diem to planning commission members for attending meetings, as set by city ordinance.

Effective date 5/24/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 148

Bill Summary: SB 148 (Louisiana, 2026 Session)

Title

PLANNING/ZONING: Provides for compensation to the members of the Lake Charles planning commission. (8/1/26)

Purpose and Intent

  • Amend existing law to authorize the city of Lake Charles to pay a per diem to members of its Planning Commission for attending meetings.
  • Extend a broader practice that already exists for several other municipalities, now including Lake Charles.

Key Provisions

  • Authorizes per diem payments: The governing authority of the City of Lake Charles may pay a per diem to members of its planning commission for attending commission meetings.
  • Rate and limits set by ordinance: The per diem rate and the number of meetings for which per diem is paid are to be established by ordinance of the City of Lake Charles’ governing authority.
  • Scope of authorization: This change applies specifically to the City of Lake Charles. The statute already permits other listed municipalities (Addis, Arcadia, Brusly, Delhi, Gramercy, Haughton, Haynesville, Iowa, Jena, Lake Arthur, Lockport, and Many) to provide per diem payments to planning commission members; Lake Charles is added to this list.
  • Timing: Effective date of the change is August 1, 2026.

Affected Entities

  • Primary: City of Lake Charles and its Planning Commission.
  • Affected individuals: Members of the Lake Charles Planning Commission who might receive per diem payments for attending meetings.

Legal Basis and Change

  • Current law (R.S. 33:103(C)(1)(l)): Some municipalities may pay per diem to planning commission members; the rate and number of payable meetings are set by local ordinance.
  • Proposed change: Explicitly includes the City of Lake Charles in the list of municipalities authorized to pay per diem to planning commission members.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • Legislative actions: SB 148 was reported favorably by the Senate (12-0) and advanced through the usual readings and referrals. Sponsorship by Sen. Stine (with co-sponsor Rep. Jeremy Stine in related action) indicated support for expansion of per diem authority at the municipal level.

Practical Impact

  • Lake Charles can compensate Planning Commission members with per diem payments, potentially affecting:
    • Member recruitment and retention.
    • Attendance incentives and meeting frequency considerations.
    • Local budgeting and procurement processes related to per diem expenditures (rate setting, number of payable meetings) as determined by city ordinance.

Notable Considerations

  • The bill does not mandate per diem payments; it authorizes them. Actual compensation depends on future ordinances enacted by the Lake Charles governing authority.
  • The change aligns Lake Charles with several other municipalities that already implement per diem compensation for planning commission service.

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

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