HB 538 updates licensing fees for the State Boxing and Wrestling Commission and sets salaries for its members. The bill establishes new fee amounts for event promoters (e.g., wrestling promoters $250-$500, boxing promoters $500-$250), referees ($25), and other participants like fighters and managers ($25-$35 per license). It also sets annual salaries for commission leadership (chairman: $10,000; vice chairman: $6,400) and provides per diem rates for travel ($80/day) and meetings ($150/day max). These changes directly affect boxing and wrestling event operators, fighters, and officials who must pay these fees or receive these compensations.
HB 125 amends Louisiana law to prohibit insurers from using genetic research or testing participation (including clinical research) when deciding coverage, premiums, or other underwriting decisions, unless the genetic results are in the individual's medical record or explicitly provided by them. This directly affects individuals who have undergone genetic testing and insurers who underwrite health coverage. The bill replaces existing language to clarify that insurers cannot consider participation in genetic research as a factor in coverage decisions, while allowing use of documented genetic results. It is currently pending after passing committee unanimously (16-0) and awaiting further legislative action.
HB 547 would allow horse racing venues to offer fixed odds wagering, where bettors place bets with predetermined payout amounts before races instead of traditional pari-mutuel betting. This directly affects racetracks that host horse races and individuals who wager on those races. The bill authorizes this specific betting method, setting fixed odds for outcomes rather than calculating payouts based on total wagers after the race. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Commerce and will move to Appropriations for further consideration.
HB 618 amends Louisiana's fire safety regulations to clarify which rules apply to "conveyance devices" (such as elevators, escalators, and moving walkways). It repeals two specific past provisions and adjusts references in existing law to ensure consistent application of fire safety standards for these devices. The bill also explicitly exempts private outdoor recreational structures (like backyard sheds) from these regulations under R.S. 40:1730.30. This change directly affects businesses and operators of conveyance devices by updating the legal framework they must follow.
HB 85 is a technical amendment to building code language, not a substantive policy change. It corrects references from "Code" to "Code Council" in the bill text (amendments 1 and 2), clarifying the administrative body responsible for building codes. This affects how the code is referenced in official documents but does not alter permit requirements, construction standards, or impact builders, developers, or homeowners. The bill was reported with amendments (15-0) and is currently pending further legislative action.
HB 674 amends the Code of Governmental Ethics to correct a reference from R.S. 18:1115.1(C) to R.S. 42:1115.1(C) and removes outdated provisions. This procedural change affects how the ethics code is cited but does not alter the actual ethics standards or who they apply to. The bill focuses solely on updating references and streamlining existing language in the code.
HB 325 adjusts the tax rate for certain cigars sold in the state. This bill directly affects cigar manufacturers and retailers by changing how much tax they must collect on specific cigar products. The key mechanism is amending the existing tax provision to modify the rate, as reflected in the bill's text amendment changing "increase" to "change." The fiscal note estimates this adjustment would reduce state revenue by approximately $10 million.
HB 8 allows municipal employees with at least five years of service in the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS) to remain in MERS instead of switching to the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LSERS) when moving to a state-covered position. Employees must submit a written notice to their MERS board within 30 days of starting the new job or the bill’s effective date, and this choice is permanent. The bill applies to new hires after December 31, 2024, and gives current employees employed in such roles a 30-day window after the bill passes to elect to stay in MERS. It does not change retirement benefits but clarifies membership options between these two systems.
HB 372 requires Louisiana public high schools to provide computer science courses starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with students entering ninth grade in 2027-2028 or later needing to complete a one-credit computer science course to graduate. The bill also allows computer science to count as a math or science credit for career majors and aligns it with TOPS-Tech scholarship requirements. It repeals prior legislation that did not mandate computer science as a graduation requirement. This change directly affects all Louisiana public high schools and students graduating between 2028 and 2030.
HB 500 proposes a new process for resolving certain tax disagreements between taxpayers and the tax authority. It would allow taxpayers to use mediation for specific disputes, request written policy advice on tax rules, and seek private tax rulings for unclear situations. These options would be available under defined circumstances, aiming to provide clearer pathways for resolving tax issues without immediate court action. The bill directly affects taxpayers navigating complex tax questions and the tax authority responsible for administering these processes. (Note: The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.)
This bill amends Louisiana's Firefighters' Retirement System to allow surviving spouses to designate disabled or minor children as beneficiaries for a portion of their survivor benefits. Specifically, spouses must make this designation within 30 days of the firefighter's death and must ensure the total benefit value remains equivalent to what the spouse would otherwise receive (verified by an actuary). The change directly affects surviving spouses of firefighters who currently receive survivor benefits under the system. It modifies existing rules to provide structured options for sharing benefits with dependents while maintaining the spouse's primary benefit amount.
HB 124 reorganizes judicial election districts for East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court. The bill creates two election sections for the Court of Appeal's second district and three election sections for the Family Court, specifying which precincts belong to each section. This change affects how judges are elected in East Baton Rouge Parish, requiring voters in defined geographic areas to elect judges representing their specific sections. The bill amends existing statutes to implement these boundary adjustments for judicial elections.
