LouisianaMunicipalities may restrict fire hazards under public bridges and tunnels
Louisiana municipalities may restrict certain materials under public structures, while parishes and municipalities may allow them at permitted events.
What it does
Municipalities may set fire limits and prohibit certain materials above ground under public bridges, overpasses, viaducts, and tunnels. Utility and New Orleans exceptions apply, as does an exception for some temporary, attended activities.
A parish or municipality may authorize certain hazardous materials for an event it permits, as long as the permit or agreement follows state and federal laws.
A person who knowingly and willfully breaks these rules may be fined up to $1,000 for each violation.
Argument forMunicipalities may restrict flammable, explosive, or combustible materials under public structures, which could help reduce fire risks for people using them.
Argument againstA person who knowingly and willfully breaks these rules could face a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation.
More detail
A municipality may set fire limits and prohibit certain materials above ground in the right-of-way under public structures. The rule covers flammable, explosive, or combustible materials above ground in the right-of-way of a public bridge, overpass, viaduct, or tunnel. The section does not apply to infrastructure owned or operated by member-owned electric cooperatives, regulated investor-owned utilities, or the governing authority of New Orleans. Temporary, attended activity with approved equipment or materials is allowed when other applicable law authorizes it and the activity meets all applicable requirements.
A parish or municipality may authorize flammable, explosive, or combustible materials for an event it permits. This applies to events permitted by a parish or municipality in Louisiana. The permit or agreement must comply with state and federal laws and regulations.
A person who willfully and knowingly violates this section or a rule, regulation, or order under it may be fined up to $1,000 for each violation. The penalty applies to any person who violates this section or a rule, regulation, or order issued under it. A fine is possible, not automatic; the violation must be both willful and knowing.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
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. 849.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1698). Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1276). Result: pass.Upper
- May 26Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 20Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 19Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 18Reported with amendments.Minor
- May 4Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs.Minor
- Apr 29Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- Apr 28Called from the calendar.
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#794). Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 28Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 2. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Apr 27Notice given.
- Apr 27Scheduled for floor debate on 04/28/2026.
- Apr 22Called from the calendar.
- Apr 22Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- Apr 20Called from the calendar.
- Apr 20Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- Apr 20Notice given.
- Apr 20Scheduled for floor debate on 04/22/2026.
- Apr 15Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- Apr 15Notice given.
- Apr 15Scheduled for floor debate on 04/20/2026.
- Apr 14Scheduled for floor debate on 04/15/2026.
- Apr 13Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- Apr 9Reported favorably (16-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.Minor
- Feb 27Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 27Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.Introduced
Public Safety