LouisianaLouisiana sets statewide building rules and licenses inspectors
The law puts Louisiana's construction code commission in charge of statewide building rules and inspector licenses, and lets it collect a fee on local permits.
What it does
The construction code commission adopts and updates statewide building rules. It may collect up to $10 on each local permit, with exceptions for some emergency and government permits.
Public and private building inspectors need a commission license for their work. The commission may discipline license holders for code violations, conflicts of interest, or dishonest reports.
Cities and parishes enforce the statewide construction code and may use licensed private inspectors. Local officials must explain rejected inspection reports in writing.
Argument forLicensed private inspectors could give local governments another way to review plans and inspect buildings, while written explanations help people understand rejected reports.
Argument againstA permit fee of up to $10 could add to building costs for property owners, though some emergency and government permits may be exempt.
More detail
The commission adopts and updates statewide construction rules and may collect a fee on local permits. The commission reviews and adopts statewide rules for construction, including nationally recognized building, plumbing, energy, and safety codes. The fee may be up to $10 per permit, and local governments must send collected fees to the commission. A local government may waive the fee if it waives regular permit fees during a declared emergency or issues the permit to itself or another government. The commission sets the fee schedule for each calendar year by August 1 of the year before.
The commission licenses public and private inspectors and may discipline license holders. The rules cover public and private inspectors who enforce the statewide construction code, including people who review building plans. Inspectors may do only work covered by their license classification. Private inspectors must meet application, background check, and insurance requirements. Public inspectors employed by public entities do not have the specified insurance requirement. Licenses last one year and must be renewed to keep working.
Cities and parishes enforce the statewide code and may use licensed private inspectors under agreements or registration. These rules apply to municipalities and parishes enforcing the statewide construction code. A local government may accept a private inspector's report only if the inspector has a contract with that government or is registered with it. Registered inspectors must provide their license number, proof of insurance, and the types of inspections they can perform. A local government rejecting a report must give a written reason and cite the related code rule.
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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 9Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 881.Became Law
- Jun 9Effective date: See Act.
- Jun 2Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1711). Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1353). Result: pass.Upper
- May 26Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 25Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments which were read and adopted. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 21Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 20Reported with amendments.Minor
- May 13Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.Minor
- May 12Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- May 11Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1096). Result: pass.Lower
- May 7Read by title, ordered reengrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 7Scheduled for floor debate on 05/11/2026.
- May 6Reported favorably (17-0).Minor
- Apr 23Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
- Apr 22Reported with amendments (10-0).Minor
- Apr 1Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.Minor
- Mar 31Read by title. Lies over under the rules.Introduced
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