SR 158

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 158
BY SENATOR WOMACK
  A RESOLUTION
To urge and request local governing authorities, in consultation with parish offices of
       homeland security and emergency preparedness, to consider adopting local
       ordinances to require unlicensed residential facilities for seniors or persons with
       disabilities to have generators or alternative electrical power sources.
       WHEREAS, Louisiana has experienced multiple devastating hurricanes that have
caused extensive power outages in the past five years; and
       WHEREAS, during the severe winter storm in January 2026, many residents in north
Louisiana were left without power for days; and
       WHEREAS, certain populations, including the elderly and disabled, are highly
vulnerable during extended power outages caused by natural disasters, with an increased risk
for cardiovascular and respiratory crises, hypothermia or hyperthermia, and the failure of
life-sustaining medical equipment; and
       WHEREAS, due to certain unlicensed facilities housing these vulnerable
populations, considerations of backup power to essential systems like heating, air
conditioning, fire alarms, and emergency lighting are critical to stopping the creation of
additional life-threatening situations; and
       WHEREAS, these measures are designed to prevent such tragedies and keep
residents and staff safe during emergencies while minimizing the use of 911 and impacts on
public safety; and
       WHEREAS, Act No. 253 of the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana
required all nursing homes to have a generator or other Louisiana Department of Health
approved alternate electrical power source; and
       WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 145 of the 2026 Regular Session would require all adult
residential care providers to have a generator or other alternate electrical power source; and
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SR NO. 158  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, rental housing specifically designated for the elderly and persons with
disabilities receiving supportive housing services, including but not limited to housing
facilities that receive funding or financing support from the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development, are not regulated by the state and do not have to meet the
same requirements as state-regulated and licensed facilities; and
       WHEREAS, pursuant to R.S. 29:729, each parish office of homeland security and
emergency preparedness is required to prepare and maintain an all hazards emergency
operations plan that includes the prevention and minimization of injury and damage caused
by disaster or emergency and recommendations for zoning, building, and other land use
controls and other preventive and preparedness measures designed to eliminate or reduce
disasters or their impact; and
       WHEREAS, local governing authorities can regulate by ordinance critical safety
measures for any setting in which multiple unrelated individuals are residing in a home and
those individuals are paying rent or other compensation for such shelter.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request local governing authorities, in consultation with parish offices
of homeland security and emergency preparedness, to consider adopting local ordinances to
require unlicensed residential facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to have
generators or alternative electrical power sources.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Municipal Association and the Policy Jury Association of Louisiana.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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