SB 90 prohibits betting or wagering on election outcomes in Louisiana. It directly affects anyone who makes, accepts, or facilitates bets related to elections, including offering bets, taking shares, or providing funds for such wagers. The bill adds specific prohibitions to election offense laws, banning actions like placing bets on election results or acting as a party to election-related wagers. This creates a clear legal ban on gambling activities tied to elections, effective August 1, 2025.
SB 82 clarifies Louisiana's property tax rules for banks by maintaining a 51% deduction of assessed value for real estate (like buildings and equipment) owned by banks when calculating taxes on their stock. This directly affects banks operating in Louisiana that own physical properties. The bill updates the legal wording of this deduction provision without changing the percentage rate. It would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.
SB 118 modifies Louisiana's tax code to exclude certain deposits into ABLE accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience Accounts) from state income tax. Starting in 2026, account owners can exclude up to $2,400 annually (single filers) or $4,800 (joint filers) per beneficiary for qualified disability expenses, with unused amounts rolling over to future years. This applies only to deposits made for beneficiaries with disabilities, excluding the funds from taxable income calculations. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents using ABLE accounts to save for disability-related expenses. It takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.
SB 23 requires seafood dealers to provide commercial fishermen with a three-part receipt form for every fish purchase. The form must include specific details like the fisherman’s name/license, species, quantity, price, and transaction date, and must be given to the fisherman within 24 hours. One copy stays with the dealer, one goes to the fisherman, and one is sent to Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. This bill directly affects commercial seafood dealers and fishermen in Louisiana by standardizing transaction records for regulatory tracking.
SB 31 authorizes the transfer of a specific 1.5-acre parcel of dried lake bed land in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from the state to Bruce Hamill Weaver III. The bill directs the commissioner of administration to convey this property (excluding mineral rights) through a formal agreement based on its appraised value. This is a straightforward property transfer bill with no broader policy changes, directly affecting only the named landowner and the state's real estate holdings.
SB 94 clarifies the legal definition of "waters of the state" in Louisiana law. It specifically excludes certain wetlands classified as "fastlands" under state law (R.S. 49:214.23(6)) if they lack a continuous surface connection to other waters. The bill amends existing statutes to remove outdated references and formally define this exclusion, primarily affecting how state water regulations apply to specific wetland areas. This is a technical clarification of legal definitions, not a new policy affecting residents or businesses.
SB 46 prohibits intentionally releasing or dispersing chemicals into Louisiana's environment with the purpose of altering temperature, specifically limiting this ban to activities occurring below 1,000 feet above ground level. The bill directly affects individuals or entities seeking to use chemical dispersal for weather modification within the state. Key provisions include the 1,000-foot altitude restriction (added via amendments) and authorization for state environmental departments to use Louisiana Air National Guard surveillance capabilities for enforcement. The bill passed the Senate (27-12) on April 28, 2025, and now moves to the House for consideration.
SB 81 requires Louisiana public schools to provide parents with free access to instructional materials, including online resources and printed copies upon request. Schools must establish reasonable in-person viewing hours and may charge only reasonable fees for physical copies made using school equipment - no fees apply for online access or in-person viewing without copies. The bill limits free access to curricula adopted under state law and allows in-person viewing of nonsecure tests, but not digital copies of assessments. School boards must submit their access policies to the state education department by March 2026, with reports to the legislature on compliance. This directly affects parents of students in Louisiana public schools and school districts implementing these policies.
SB 106 allows nighttime frog hunting in Louisiana using jacklights or mechanical devices like frog catchers, while prohibiting the carrying or possession of firearms during these activities. The bill directly affects individuals who hunt frogs at night, specifically changing existing rules about equipment and safety measures. Key provisions clarify that froggers may use visible light aids and mechanical tools but must not have guns present during nighttime hunting. This amendment updates Louisiana's existing frog hunting regulations (R.S. 56:634(A)) to explicitly address nighttime methods and firearm restrictions. The law aims to standardize nighttime frog hunting practices under specific safety and equipment rules.
SB 145 removes restrictions on where bulkheads (shoreline structures) can be built on certain water bodies in St. Tammany Parish. It specifically eliminates previous requirements that limited construction to specific locations like the Tchefuncte River or its distributaries. The bill directly affects property owners and developers in St. Tammany Parish seeking to build or modify bulkheads along designated waterways. This change allows for more flexible placement of bulkheads on those water bodies without the prior location-specific constraints.
SB 78 exempts rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS) and specific drug testing devices from being classified as "drug paraphernalia" under state law. This directly affects individuals who use these tools to test substances for fentanyl (a dangerous opioid), harm reduction organizations, and first responders. The bill explicitly states that FTS, FDA/National Institute of Justice-certified kits, and accredited lab devices (like gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers) cannot be considered illegal paraphernalia. However, it clarifies these tools cannot be used to manufacture or distribute controlled substances. The law aims to remove legal barriers to using these safety tools while maintaining restrictions on drug trafficking.
SB 98 increases penalties for the retail sale of nitrous oxide, a substance sometimes misused recreationally. It requires retail sellers to be at least 21 years old (amending existing age requirements) while removing the age limit for medical practitioners selling it. The bill directly affects businesses selling nitrous oxide for non-medical purposes, such as whipped cream chargers, by imposing stricter age verification and higher fines for violations. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (37-0) and now moves to the House for consideration.
