The Louisiana State Senate (French: Sénat d'État de Louisiane; Spanish: Senado del Estado de Luisiana) is the upper house of the Louisiana State Legislature. The Senate has 39 seats, and the current Senate president is Cameron Henry. The current president pro tempore is Regina Barrow.
The chamber currently has 39 seats; as of July 2026, District 14 is vacant following the death of Senator Larry Selders.
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Composition
The Louisiana State Senate has 39 members elected from single-member districts. Candidates must be registered voters, at least 18 years old, residents of their district for one year, and Louisiana residents for two years. Senate elections use a nonpartisan primary system with runoffs if needed. Elections to the Senate occur every four years, and senators are limited to three four-year terms (12 years). If a seat is vacated during a term, it is filled in a special election. The Senate meets yearly alongside the House of Representatives. General sessions last 60 days in even years, and appropriations sessions last 45 days in odd years.
The Senate is the upper legislative chamber of the Louisiana State Legislature and, along with the Louisiana House of Representatives, constitutes the legislative power of the state of Louisiana. It tries officials impeached by the House of Representatives and confirms or rejects officials nominated by the governor of Louisiana.
Committee assignments
The Louisiana State Senate currently has standing, select, and statutory committees. The official Senate committees page lists the current standing committees and explains that most standing committees have seven members; certain committees have nine or eleven members.
President of the senate
The Senate president, elected by its members, serves as its highest-ranking officer. The current president is Cameron Henry. The office is fifth in the gubernatorial line of succession, after the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and state treasurer.
The Louisiana Senate's official leadership history lists J. Cameron Henry, Jr. as president from 2024 to the present, and Regina Ashford Barrow as president pro tempore from 2024 to the present.
Powers
The Senate president appoints the members of Senate and conference committees, unless otherwise provided by law, rule, or resolution, and appoints committee chairmen and vice chairmen as provided by Senate rules.
If a Senate seat becomes vacant before the end of the term, the Senate president issues the proclamation calling a special election.