SENATE: Prohibits wearing eyeglasses with audio video capabilities in the Senate chamber unless approved by Senate President.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick McMath

Prohibits wearing eyewear with video or audio recording capabilities inside the Senate Chamber without express permission from the President of the Senate.

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate.

Summary of Senate Resolution 86 (SR 86) – Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session

Purpose and intent

Proposes a rule change to prohibit wearing eyeglasses with video or audio recording capabilities inside the Senate Chamber unless expressly approved by the President of the Senate.

The measure amends and reenacts Senate Rule 1.2 to tighten rules governing access and conduct within the Senate Chamber, with a specific focus on biometric/recording-capable eyewear.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Senate Rule No. 1.2 (Senate Chamber) to add a new prohibition:

“No person shall wear eyeglasses that have video or audio recording capabilities inside the Senate Chamber without the express permission of the President of the Senate.”

Maintains existing sections of Rule 1.2, which address:

Limited use of the Senate Chamber (non-public meeting status for the chamber; certain groups may use it with Secretary-approved scheduling).
Restrictions on meetings or public hearings in the Senate Chamber.
Designation and access rules for news media, the Senate Library, and restricted areas.
Rules regarding conduct (no disruptive conversations; seating for the public; exclusive use areas for legislators and designated individuals).
Access rules for former members and other specified individuals.

Who would be affected

Individuals inside the Senate Chamber during sessions or chamber-related activities.

Visitors and attendees who might wear eyewear with recording capabilities.

News media personnel and other designated groups when inside approved areas, though the new restriction specifically targets eyewear capable of recording.

The President of the Senate, who would hold the authority to grant or deny permission for wearing such eyeglasses.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action:

Referred to the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs (April 21, 2026) for consideration.
Passed by the full Senate with a vote of 34 yeas to 0 nays (May 7, 2026).
Rules suspension for consideration occurred as part of the passage.

Effective rule modification:

The amendment would take effect upon adoption, modifying the current Rule 1.2 to include the new prohibition.

Sponsor:

Primary sponsor: Senator McMath (co-sponsor: Patrick McMath).

Practical impact and considerations

Sets a privacy/safety standard within the Senate Chamber by requiring explicit permission to wear recording-enabled eyewear.

Aims to reduce potential unauthorized recording or surveillance during legislative proceedings or chamber activities.

Establishes a clear enforcement point: the President of the Senate can approve or deny permission on a case-by-case basis.

Does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond the permission requirement; those details would be governed by existing Senate rules and applicable law.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison to similar privacy-related rules in other state legislatures or outline potential scenarios (e.g., what constitutes “express permission,” how that permission is documented, and transitional considerations for current eyewear users).