Louisiana’s 10 constitutional amendments, explained

Louisiana voters will decide this fall whether to add 10 provisions to the state Constitution. Seven deal with taxes or public finance. Here’s what each proposal would do, and the strongest argument on either side.

Thanks to the Public Affairs Research Council for the heavy lifting, which produced a thorough guide to the amendments.

Amendment 1: Disabled veterans’ surviving spouses

What it does: Lets a disabled veteran's surviving spouse transfer the veteran’s special property tax exemption to a new primary residence one time. The exemption could not exceed the amount claimed on the previous home.

Pros: A surviving spouse could downsize or move without losing a benefit connected to the veteran’s service. Supporters expect little effect on overall tax collections.

Cons: Every additional exemption reduces local and school tax revenue and can leave owners of similarly valued homes paying very different amounts.

Amendment 2: Local property tax rates

What it does: Lets local taxing bodies keep charging a reduced millage without permanently surrendering the higher, voter-approved maximum rate. Raising the rate later would still require a public hearing and a two-thirds vote of the taxing body.

Pros: Removes the incentive for local agencies to raise rates now simply because they might need the revenue later.

Cons: Homeowners and businesses could face a tax increase years after a reassessment, without another public vote on that specific increase.

Amendment 3: Bail after convictions involving minors

What it does: Prohibits post-conviction bail for people found guilty of specified aggravated crimes against minors, including rape, kidnapping, sexual battery and human trafficking.

Pros: Keeps people convicted of serious offenses against children in custody while awaiting sentencing or further court proceedings.

Cons: Takes discretion away from judges, including in unusual cases or cases under appeal.

Amendment 4: Lifetime limits for governors

What it does: Limits an elected governor to two terms during their lifetime. Currently, governors may serve two consecutive terms, sit out a term and run again.

Pros: Encourages new candidates and prevents former governors from using money, influence and name recognition to repeatedly reclaim office.

Cons: Prevents voters from choosing an experienced former governor they may want back. Lawyers also disagree on whether the restriction applies to governors who served before its adoption.

Amendment 5: State retirement debt

What it does: Lets lawmakers or state retirement systems decide which pension debt receives constitutionally required surplus payments. Current rules require a system to pay its oldest debt first. The requirement to devote at least 25% of a state surplus to pension debt would remain.

Pros: The state could target debts that offer the greatest interest savings or free up money more quickly.

Cons: More discretion could weaken a straightforward safeguard designed to ensure Louisiana pays its oldest pension obligations.

Amendment 6: Larger exemptions for older homeowners

What it does: Allows a parish or municipality—with local voter approval—to increase homestead exemptions for income-qualified homeowners beginning at age 65. The exemption could rise from $135,000 for ages 65–68 to $375,000 for those 81 and older. The earliest start would be 2028.

Pros: Could help older residents with limited or shrinking incomes remain in their homes. Participation would be optional for each parish.

Cons: Larger exemptions would reduce local and school revenue while shifting more of the tax load to younger homeowners and other taxpayers.

Amendment 7: Lead water lines on private property

What it does: Makes clear that public money may be used to locate, remove and replace hazardous drinking-water lines—including customer-owned lines on private property.

Pros: Removes legal uncertainty and could help communities use federal money to replace entire lead service lines. New Orleans officials estimate that as many as 50,000 city homes may have lead pipes.

Cons: The attorney general has already said the work is allowed. Critics say a constitutional amendment is unnecessary and could create expectations that cash-strapped utilities must pay for private lines.

Amendment 8: Property seizures by foreign adversaries

What it does: Prohibits companies considered foreign adversaries—or their agents—from using expropriation, Louisiana’s term for eminent domain, to take private property for a project.

Pros: Creates a preventive barrier against governments or companies considered national-security threats taking Louisiana property.

Cons: Louisiana would depend on the federal government’s list of adversaries, which can change. The definition of an “agent” may also be broad enough to capture companies with limited foreign investment or ownership.

Amendment 9: Higher income cap for property tax freezes

What it does: Raises the income limit for certain homeowners—including seniors and some disabled residents—to qualify for a frozen property assessment. The cap would increase from $100,000 to $150,000 and begin adjusting for inflation in 2028.

Pros: Helps more older or disabled homeowners manage rising housing costs and remain in their homes.

Cons: Expands a tax break to comparatively higher-income households, reducing local revenue and shifting more of the burden to taxpayers who do not qualify.

Amendment 10: Tax breaks for rehabilitated property

What it does: Lets parishes create optional exemptions for rehabilitated formerly blighted or derelict property. Residential property could receive an exemption of up to 75% of its assessed value for up to 20 years. Certain vacant land could receive a smaller exemption for up to 10 years.

Pros: Could encourage investors and homeowners to repair dangerous properties, improve surrounding property values and expand the housing supply.

Cons: The exemptions could be overly generous, reduce money for local services and mainly benefit developers or house flippers. The law also would not require exempt property to remain habitable.