LouisianaLouisiana agencies can use master contracts for multiple design jobs
Louisiana agencies can assign multiple design jobs through master contracts that exclude new buildings and limit contract length and fees.
What it does
Agencies can assign several design jobs through one master contract. Selection generally goes through a professional board that advertises the opportunity, with a separate legal exception.
Master contracts exclude design work for new buildings, last no more than two years, and cap total fees at $1 million. Each renovation assignment is capped at $13 million.
Agencies must keep at least two master design contracts active. An agency with one must seek another at the next available selection board; failure to comply blocks further assignments.
Argument forAgencies could assign several design jobs through one master contract, reducing the need to arrange a separate contract for each job.
Argument againstThe two-contract requirement could interrupt design assignments if an agency has only one contract and fails to seek another.
More detail
Public agencies can use a master design contract to assign separate jobs to a designer. These selection rules cover agency master design contracts, with an exception under R.S. 38:2311(C) that cannot be explained without that law's terms. The Division of Administration reviews the agency's needs and refers its request to the appropriate professional selection board. The board must advertise the services sought, contract limits, and number of designers to be selected. Designers may submit their experience and qualifications. The law took effect upon the governor's signature on June 8, 2026.
Master design contracts must follow limits on the work covered, contract length, and fees. These limits cover master design contracts under this section and the separate assignments issued under them. Amendments needed to finish ongoing projects may raise the total design contract value above $1 million, but cannot raise the fee above that limit. Assignments issued within the two-year contract term may be amended even after the master contract expires, when needed to finish ongoing projects.
Agencies using these master design contracts must keep at least two active contracts. This requirement applies to each agency issuing master design contracts under this section. An agency with only one active contract must start the selection process at the next available selection board. If the agency fails to follow this requirement, it cannot issue further assignments under its remaining contract.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 831.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: 06/08/2026.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- May 31Signed by the President of the Senate.
- May 29Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 28Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1496). Result: pass.Upper
- May 28Received from the Senate without amendments.Minor
- May 27Rules suspended. Reported favorably. Rules suspended. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.Minor
- May 27Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- Apr 13Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance.Minor
- Apr 8Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- Apr 7Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 100, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#318). Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1Scheduled for floor debate on 04/07/2026.
- Mar 31Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- Mar 30Reported favorably (17-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 27Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 27Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.Introduced
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