Louisiana State Legislative Session Update for 2024

The 2024 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature ended recently. The new laws impacting the SWBNO mandate:

• We no longer send estimated bills beginning January 1, 2025.
  • Half of our city’s smart meters are on track to be in the ground by the first of the year. This means our team can concentrate on getting actual reads from only 70,000 meters a month as the other 70,000 will be automated.
• Customers can opt-in for a fixed bill amount; 
• There will be bill dispute arbiters conducting hearings in locations to be announced in each council district; 
• Catch basins (72,000) and what is known as the minor (smaller pipes) drainage system, currently under the responsibility of the City Department of Public Works (DPW), will be consolidated under SWBNO as it was over 30 years ago; 
  • For now, residents should continue reporting catch basin issues to 311.
• An exception to the City’s residency requirement for employment; 
  • Click here to see employment opportunites. 
• And a law enabling SWBNO to execute the federal requirements for lead water service line replacement.
  • Learn more about our Lead Service Line Replacement Program and Lead Awareness resources here.

SWBNO intends to implement each law accordingly. As we make progress, this webpage will act as a resource about the new measures and how they will impact our customers.