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HB 441

SEWERAGE/N O WATER BD: Provides relative to employees of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aimee Freeman and 1 co-sponsor

HB 441 repeals the requirement to transfer New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees into the state civil service system, keeping them outside state civil service.

Effective date: 06/15/2024.
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Bill Summary · HB 441

Summary of Louisiana HB 441 (2026 Regular Session)

Title

SEWERAGE/N O WATER BD: Provides relative to employees of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board

Purpose and intent

HB 441 repeals a prior provision that directed the transfer of employees of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board (NOSWB) to the state civil service system. In effect, the bill removes the process that would place NOSWB employees under state civil service administration.

Key provisions

  • Repeals Section 2 of Act No. 384 of the 2024 Regular Session, which required:

    • The State Civil Service Commission and the Civil Service Commission of the City of New Orleans to cooperatively develop a plan to transfer all NOSWB employees into the state civil service system.
    • The plan to be fully implemented with all affected employees under state civil service jurisdiction within one year of Aug. 1, 2024.
    • Guidance from House Resolution No. 334 (2024) directing the commissions to disregard the plan contemplated in Act 384 and not proceed with the transfer plan.

  • Effective date:

    • The act becomes effective upon signature by the governor, or, if not signed, upon lapse of time for gubernatorial action. If vetoed and subsequently approved by the legislature, it becomes effective the day after such approval.

Who is affected

  • NOSWB employees previously targeted for transfer to the state civil service under Act 384 of 2024.
  • The State Civil Service Commission and the Civil Service Commission of the City of New Orleans would no longer be tasked with developing or implementing a plan to transfer NOSWB employees to state civil service.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill repeals a provision that had a concrete implementation timeline (one year from Aug. 1, 2024) for transferring NOSWB employees to the state civil service.
  • By repealing the provision, there would be no mandated transition of NOSWB employees into the state civil service under this Act.
  • The act’s own effective date is tied to gubernatorial action, with standard constitutional provisions governing effective dates.

Impact and implications

  • Removes a mandated administrative transfer of NOSWB employees to state civil service.
  • Maintains the status quo (i.e., NOSWB employees remain outside the state civil service system) unless other statutes or measures address employment administration for NOSWB staff.
  • Potential fiscal, governance, or personnel policy implications could arise from continued separate administration of NOSWB personnel, but HB 441 does not create new requirements or funding provisions; it simply repeals the transfer plan requirement.

Additional notes

  • The bill was reported favorably in committee (13-0) and is sponsored by Reps. Freeman and Newell, with a co-sponsorship noted.
  • No other substantive changes to NOSWB operations or governance are included beyond the removal of the transfer-to-state civil service mandate.

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

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