House Bill No. [insert number] amends R.S. 33:1420.31 to enhance training requirements for local government officials in Louisiana, specifically mayors and members of governing authorities in municipalities with populations of 15,000 or less. The bill mandates that all mayors must participate in workshops and training courses offered by state agencies, associations, or groups, which are designed to improve their understanding of municipal laws. Additionally, the bill establishes that mayors are required to earn at least sixteen hours of credit annually through various training programs, including ethics, sexual harassment prevention, cybersecurity, and other relevant topics.

The legislation also outlines the responsibilities of the Louisiana Municipal Association in providing these training courses and specifies the categories of municipal governance that must be covered. Furthermore, mayors are required to attest to their compliance with these training requirements, which will be verified by licensed certified public accountants during municipal audits. A public list of compliant and non-compliant mayors will be maintained by the legislative auditor. Notably, the bill excludes individuals temporarily appointed to fill a mayoral vacancy lasting less than one year from these training requirements. The provisions of this Act will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
HB431 Original:
HB431 Engrossed:
HB431 Reengrossed:
HB431 Enrolled: