HB 489 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

BANKS/BANKING: Provides with respect to "Transfer of Death" (TOD) beneficiary designations for investment accounts

HB 489 clarifies that Louisiana residents can use "Transfer of Death" (TOD) beneficiary designations for investment and brokerage accounts, similar to existing rules for bank accounts. This prevents probate delays and frozen accounts by establishing clear rules for transferring these assets after death. Financial institutions are protected from liability when processing valid TOD requests in good faith, without altering Louisiana’s community property or inheritance laws. The bill directly affects families with non-retirement investment assets seeking to simplify estate transfers.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB489 Original HB489 Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 24, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was amended to broaden the list of sponsors and update the language to apply to the state's laws rather than just Louisiana law. It also strengthens the intent to require, rather than just recognize, transfer-on-death registration for securities, and expands the liability protections for entities that process these registrations.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include additional sponsors and to clarify that the requirements apply to the laws of the state, not just Louisiana.
ELIGIBILITY

Added Representatives Beaullieu and McMakin to the list of bill sponsors.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the legislative intent from recognizing transfer-on-death registration to requiring its implementation.

DEFINITION

Updated references from 'Louisiana law' to 'the law of this state' to broaden applicability.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded liability protections to explicitly include 'forced heirs' alongside other family members and creditors.

Floor votes · House Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

990
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 105
Mar 24, 2026
D Democratic33
32 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican72
67 Yea 5
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 99, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (14-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Commerce.
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors