ETHICS/DUAL OFFICEHOLDG: Provides for exceptions to the dual officeholding laws for volunteer firefighters and judicial branch employees

HLS 26RS-594 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 258
BY REPRESENTATIVE BEAULLIEU
ETHICS/DUAL OFFICEHOLDG: Provides for exceptions to the dual officeholding laws
for volunteer firefighters and judicial branch employees
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 42:66(A)(11) and (Q), relative to exceptions to the dual officeholding and dual
3 employment laws; to provide an exception for volunteer firefighters; to provide a
4 limited exception for employees in the judicial branch to serve on boards and
5 commissions; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 42:66(A)(11) and (Q) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §66. Exemptions
9 A. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to prohibit any of the following
10 classes of officials or employees from serving in other offices or employments:
11 * * *
12 (11) Members or officers of a volunteer fire department or a combination fire
13 department.
14 * * *
15 Q. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to prohibit a person holding
16 employment in the judicial branch, including as judge ad hoc or pro tempore, from
17 holding at the same time a part-time appointive office in another branch as a
18 designee or appointed member of any board, committee, task force, or commission.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-594 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 258
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 258 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Beaullieu
Abstract: Provides a general exception to the dual officeholding and dual employment laws
for volunteer firefighters and provides a limited exception for employees in the
judicial branch to serve on boards and commissions.
Present law (R.S. 42:63) regulates dual officeholding and dual employment in order to
prevent conflicts of interest and to promote and maintain citizen trust in government.
Prohibits certain specific combinations of public office and employment, including a
prohibition against holding a full-time appointive office or full-time employment in the
government of La. or of a political subdivision thereof and at the same time holding another
full-time appointive office or full-time employment in the government of the state, in the
government of a political subdivision thereof, or in a combination of these. Further prohibits
a person holding an elective office in a political subdivision of this state from at the same
time holding another elective office or full-time appointive office in the government of this
state or in the government of a political subdivision thereof. Provides that no such person
shall hold at the same time employment in the government of this state, or in the same
political subdivision in which he holds an elective office. In addition provides that no
sheriff, assessor, or clerk of court shall hold any office or employment under a parish
governing authority.
Present law (R.S. 18:64) additionally prohibits a person from holding a combination of
offices and employments that are determined to be incompatible because of the existence of
certain conditions set forth in present law.
Proposed law retains present law prohibitions except to provide a general exception for
members or officers of a volunteer fire department or a combination fire department.
Present law (R.S. 42:63) provides that no person holding office or employment in one branch
of the state government shall at the same time hold another office or employment in any
other branch of the state government.
Proposed law retains present law except to allow a person holding employment in the
judicial branch, including as judge ad hoc or pro tempore, to hold at the same time a
part-time appointive office in another branch as a designee or appointed member of any
board, committee, task force, or commission.
(Adds R.S. 42:66(A)(11) and (Q))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.