Senate Bill No. 335, introduced by Senator Jackson-Andrews, amends R.S. 24:31.5 to authorize additional funding for legislative assistants employed by legislators whose districts encompass more than three parishes. The bill mandates that the Legislative Budgetary Control Council will determine an additional annual allocation for each parish beyond the third, which will be specifically designated for hiring additional legislative assistants. Importantly, this additional funding will not be considered an increase in the base salary of legislative assistants.

The bill also clarifies that if a legislator employs multiple assistants, the total salary for all assistants must still adhere to the existing salary cap established by the Legislative Budgetary Control Council. The additional allocation for assistants in districts with more than three parishes is intended solely for the purpose of hiring more legislative assistants and will not affect the calculation of base salaries. This legislation is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB335 Original: