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HR 400

UTILITIES: Creates the Louisiana Energy and Power Association Municipal Utility Task Force

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chasity Martinez

Establishes a 7-member task force to study LEPA-member municipal electric utilities, aiming to improve affordability, governance, transparency, and infrastructure reliability for L

Scheduled for floor debate on 06/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HR 400

Summary of HR 400 (2026, Louisiana) – Utilities: Creates the Louisiana Energy and Power Association Municipal Utility Task Force

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) Municipal Utility Task Force to study the operations, affordability, governance, infrastructure, and consumer impacts of municipal electric utility systems that participate in LEPA.
  • Aims to enhance accountability, transparency, efficiency, and long-term affordability for Louisiana ratepayers by examining multiple aspects of LEPA-member systems and comparing them to other providers.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Creation of the LEPA Municipal Utility Task Force.
  • Composition of the task force (total of 7 categories of members):
    • 1 member from LEPA appointed by LEPA chair.
    • 1 member from the Public Service Commission (PSC) appointed by its secretary.
    • 1 member from the legislative auditor's office appointed by the auditor.
    • 1 member from the Louisiana Municipal Association appointed by its executive director.
    • 4 members from different LEPA-member municipal utility systems appointed by the Louisiana Municipal Association’s executive director.
    • 1 member with expertise in utility infrastructure or energy finance appointed by the PSC secretary.
  • Subjects for examination and findings (non-exhaustive list):
    1. Utility rate structures and affordability impacts on residential customers.
    2. Fuel adjustment charges and related billing practices.
    3. Governance and oversight structures of LEPA-member systems.
    4. Infrastructure costs, maintenance obligations, and capital improvement needs.
    5. Reserve balances and financial sustainability practices.
    6. Comparisons between LEPA-member systems and other municipal or investor-owned providers.
    7. Consumer transparency and accessibility of billing information.
    8. Opportunities to improve accountability, affordability, infrastructure reliability, and operational efficiency.
    9. Recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to reduce utility burdens on Louisiana residents.
  • Deliverables:
    • A written report with findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Commerce, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs, and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library.
    • Report due no later than February 1, 2027.
  • Administrative and procedural details:
    • Designating authorities must submit designee names to the PSC by August 1, 2026.
    • First meeting to elect a chair and officers; meeting no later than September 1, 2026.
    • Task force staffed by the PSC.
    • Quorum and decision rules: majority constitutes quorum; majority vote for official actions; open meetings and public records requirements apply.
    • Members serve without compensation, though they may receive per diem or expense reimbursement as allowed by their respective organizations.
    • Meetings subject to Open Meetings Law; records subject to Public Records Law.
    • Termination: task force concludes upon completion of work or by February 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

Who/what is affected

  • Municipal electric utility systems participating in LEPA (and their rate structures, governance, and operations) stand to be analyzed.
  • Stakeholders involved or affected include:
    • LEPA itself (and its member utilities)
    • Public Service Commission
    • Legislative Auditor
    • Louisiana Municipal Association
    • Louisiana ratepayers and residential/fuel-balance customers
    • State legislators and policymakers considering governance and affordability of municipal utilities

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Designees due to PSC by August 1, 2026.
  • First meeting by September 1, 2026 (called by PSC secretary).
  • Written report due by February 1, 2027.
  • Task force terminates after its work is completed or by February 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.
  • Meetings open to the public; records public; no compensation for members except allowable per diem/expenses.

Potential impact and relevance

  • Provides a structured, multi-stakeholder review of LEPA-member municipal electric utilities with a focus on affordability and governance.
  • Could inform future legislative or administrative actions intended to reduce utility burdens, improve transparency, and enhance financial and infrastructural sustainability for Louisiana ratepayers.
  • Creates a formal mechanism to compare LEPA-member systems with other providers, potentially identifying best practices or reform needs.

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

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