SB 138 requires health insurance issuers in Louisiana to provide coverage to retired employees of district attorneys' offices who were previously covered under their employer's group plan, as long as they are not yet Medicare-eligible and their office is funded by a local sales tax. It prohibits insurers from denying enrollment or discriminating against retirees compared to active employees regarding coverage. The bill does not force district attorneys' offices to offer coverage to retirees or require better terms than those provided to active staff. It specifically applies to retirees from district attorney offices meeting the outlined eligibility conditions.
SB 129 requires health insurance companies to cover proton therapy for cancer treatment when recommended by the American Society for Radiation Oncology guidelines. This directly affects cancer patients seeking this specialized treatment and health insurers who must provide coverage without denial. The bill prohibits insurers from refusing coverage for proton therapy under these specific clinical guidelines. It does not change existing coverage rules for other treatments or impose new financial burdens on the state, as noted in the bill's "EN NO IMPACT" designation.
SB 228 amends the name of the "Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Council" to "State Uniform Construction Code Council" throughout relevant statutes. The bill makes minor editorial changes to remove "Louisiana" and adjust phrasing (like changing "at large" to "at-large") to align with the new naming convention. This is a purely procedural name change bill with no substantive policy alterations to construction regulations or affected parties. It does not impact building codes, regulations, or stakeholders. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on May 7, 2025.
SB 32 limits legal liability for farmers who use gypsum to improve soil health, directly affecting agricultural producers in the state. The bill clarifies that farmers using gypsum for soil management cannot be held legally responsible for reduced soil erosion or retained nutrients, as specified in amended language. Key provisions include revised wording on soil erosion and nutrient retention in the bill text, ensuring the liability limitation applies specifically to gypsum utilization practices. This policy change aims to encourage sustainable farming methods by reducing legal risks associated with soil amendment use.
HB 47 sets specific rules for filling vacant police positions in Alexandria, Louisiana. It requires the city to select new officers from the top five candidates with the highest departmental seniority on the official promotional list, after considering reinstatements or reemployment. This directly affects the Alexandria Police Department and its hiring process for classified positions. The bill modifies existing procedures to prioritize seniority within the promotional list for these vacancies.
HB 510 authorizes the town of Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish to establish designated pathways for golf carts and low-speed vehicles along specific state highways. This bill directly affects residents and visitors in Golden Meadow who use such vehicles for local travel. The key provision excludes Louisiana Highway 3235 from these designations, as specified in the bill's amendment. It does not create new statewide rules but allows a local municipality to manage vehicle access on certain roadways.
HB 499 increases penalties for drivers who exceed speed limits or enter active construction zones with workers present. It sets a fine range of $750 to $1,000 for these violations, replacing the previous minimum of $2,000. The bill directly affects drivers operating vehicles near ongoing construction or utility work sites where workers are on-site. This change aims to enhance worker safety by raising the financial consequence for speed-related offenses in these high-risk areas.
HB 164 modifies mallard hunting license requirements for specific hunting preserves. It adds a requirement that licenses must be for "pen-raised mallard" and clarifies that coastal zones north of Highway 90 licensed as preserves in 2024 are included. The bill directly affects commercial hunting preserves that raise mallards for hunting, changing how their licenses are categorized. It does not alter general hunting rules but specifies license types and geographic boundaries for these preserves.
HB 676 requires authorities removing abandoned vessels from waterways to notify lienholders and mortgage holders before proceeding. It mandates certified mail notices to holders of ship mortgages or security interests, using documentation from federal or state vessel records. This affects local agencies managing waterway cleanups and vessel owners/creditors with financial claims on abandoned boats. The bill clarifies notification procedures but does not change vessel removal authority or create new penalties.
HB 497 establishes Louisiana's "Catch and Cook Program" to promote local seafood consumption and support the state's seafood industry. The bill shifts administration of the program from the Office of Tourism to the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. This change directly affects Louisiana seafood producers, restaurants, and consumers by creating a dedicated board to market and distribute locally caught seafood. The key provision is the reassignment of program management to better align with seafood industry goals, with no fiscal impact noted.
HB 304 changes where legal hearings about land expropriation for carbon capture projects must be held in Louisiana. Specifically, it requires these hearings to take place in the parish (county) where the land is located, overriding other venue rules. This directly affects property owners whose land may be taken for carbon capture projects and the companies seeking to use that land. The bill does not alter the expropriation process itself but ensures local courts handle these cases. The change applies to claims under Louisiana's Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Act.
HB 94 abolishes the West Feliciana Parish Port Commission by repealing its legal framework (Louisiana Revised Statutes R.S. 34:3281-3286) and transfers all its responsibilities, assets, and ongoing legal matters to the West Feliciana Parish governing authority. The bill ensures the parish government becomes the legal successor for all unfinished business, including property, documents, and pending court cases involving the former commission. This procedural change directly affects West Feliciana Parish by shifting management of port-related affairs to the parish government without creating new policies or altering existing laws.
