New Orleans has a new City Council! Following the January 2026, inauguration, fresh faces joined returning council members, and the entire committee structure has been reorganized with new chairs and members.

This means new opportunities for you to engage with the local government on issues that matter the most. But what you might not realize is that the real work of the City Council isn’t done at big meetings you might see on TV. The real work happens in committee meetings. 

This guide will help you understand what these committees do, who’s now on them, and how you can participate in shaping policy decisions that affect your daily life.