amendment 7Public money can be used to replace lead water lines on private property
Read the full text of the measure: Official amendment list (PDF)
In plain words
Lets local governments use public money to find, remove or replace lead or other hazardous drinking water lines on the customer's side of the property. (house.louisiana.gov )
Before and after
| Topic | Now | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Public funds for private-side water lines | No specific exception | Allowed |
| Required to replace? | - | No, voluntary |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (house.louisiana.gov )
Biggest change
- Lets local governments use public money to find, remove or replace lead or other hazardous drinking water lines on the customer's side of the property. source: house.louisiana.gov
Who it affects most: Homes with lead water lines; local water systems.
Cost to the state: No statewide cost estimate in PAR guide.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
A YES vote allows local water systems to spend public funds on the private-side part of water service lines.
A NO vote keeps the current constitutional rule with no specific exception for this work.
Our one-line summary. Louisiana does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with Majority of votes cast statewide.
- Louisiana Legislature, by two-thirds vote of each chamber (Act 607, SB 228; sponsor Sen. Royce Duplessis) source: sos.la.gov
- EPA requires lead lines to be replaced within 10 years. New Orleans officials said up to 50,000 city homes may have lead pipes. The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board asked for the amendment (PAR). source: parlouisiana.org
Why supporters want it
No public statement found.
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- For: Sen. Royce Duplessis (Legislative sponsor) source: parlouisiana.org
- For: New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board (Requested the amendment (per PAR)) source: parlouisiana.org
- Against: No public statement found.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Louisiana Secretary of State .
Do you support an amendment to allow for the use of public funds by a political subdivision for the purpose of identifying, inventorying, removing or replacing drinking water utility service lines made of or affected by materials as specified or prescribed by the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, promulgated October 30, 2024, or subsequent promulgation, on property owned by utility customers? (Amends Article VII, Section 14)
Yes
No
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State list of 2026 proposed constitutional amendments (Act 607 (2026 Regular Session)).
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
Read it in the Official amendment list (PDF) , or on the Legislature's page for Amendment No. 7 (Act 607, SB 228) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State, 2026 Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Nov. 3, 2026)
- PAR Guide to the Fall 2026 Constitutional Amendments
- Louisiana House amendment summaries (Nov. 3, 2026)
- SB 228 bill history
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.