HB 351 adds penalties for candidates or their agents who submit false information in a notice of candidacy. It directly affects individuals filing to run for office in Louisiana elections. The bill creates a specific penalty for making false statements in required candidacy filings, though it does not specify the exact penalty amount or type. The legislation includes an effective date provision, stating it takes effect upon the governor's signature or after the veto period if not signed. (This is a policy change focused on enforcement of filing accuracy, not election procedures or outcomes.)
HB 566 allows public postsecondary education institutions (like community colleges) to use "job order contracting" for routine deferred maintenance work on their facilities, such as plumbing, electrical, or HVAC repairs. This method streamlines the contracting process by enabling institutions to place multiple small work orders with a single contractor instead of going through traditional bidding for each project. The bill directly affects public colleges and universities managing their own facility maintenance, providing them a new administrative option for certain repair types. It does not change funding or create new costs, as noted by the "EN NO IMPACT" designation.
HB 438 prohibits Louisiana insurance companies from using "institutional advertising expenses" when calculating insurance rates. These expenses are defined as broad marketing not aimed at specific products or consumer decision-making (e.g., general brand campaigns). The bill amends insurance rate regulations to require insurers to exclude such advertising costs from their rate calculations, focusing instead on operational expenses like acquisition and field supervision. This change applies to all insurers operating in Louisiana and takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 89 allows notaries to obtain certified death certificates from the state registrar when assisting heirs with a simplified probate process for small estates. Specifically, it requires the state registrar to issue death certificates to notaries who provide their credentials and confirm they are helping an heir prepare a "small succession" under Louisiana law (Code of Civil Procedure Article 3431). This directly affects notaries and heirs navigating straightforward estate matters without full court proceedings. The bill streamlines access to death certificates for this specific legal procedure, avoiding unnecessary delays in settling smaller estates.
HB 115 exempts clinical laboratory personnel working in source plasma donation centers from standard licensing requirements, provided they only perform non-diagnostic screening tests on donors. The bill specifically applies to centers collecting plasma via plasmapheresis (excluding plasma for direct intravenous use) to screen donors before donation. It defines "source plasma" and adds a new exemption in Louisiana law (R.S. 37:1313(A)(3)) for these centers. This change directly affects plasma donation centers and their staff by reducing regulatory barriers for screening activities.
HB 118 allows coroners or deputy coroners (who are physicians, preferably psychiatrists) in St. Tammany Parish to conduct follow-up examinations for emergency mental health certificates via telehealth, *after* an initial in-person evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychologist. This change directly affects residents in St. Tammany Parish requiring emergency mental health certification. The bill modifies existing law to permit telehealth for these follow-up examinations under specific conditions, streamlining access to care while maintaining the requirement for an initial in-person assessment. It does not alter the initial examination requirement or expand who can issue certificates.
HB 329 is a technical amendment to clarify language within existing insurance department funding provisions. It changes a reference from "Subparagraph" to "Paragraph" in a specific section of the law governing how insurance tax and fee proceeds are handled. The bill does not alter funding mechanisms or create new policy; it only corrects a procedural reference in the legislative text. This is a routine administrative adjustment with no direct impact on policy or affected parties.
HB 91 requires banks in Louisiana to wait at least 30 business days before disclosing financial records in response to a request. Banks must also be reimbursed for reasonable costs like document copying, research, and personnel time incurred during the disclosure process. This applies to all record requests, whether the bank is involved in litigation or not. The law mandates that requesters provide proof of 30-day notice via affidavit and allows disputes over reimbursement costs to be resolved by a court. The bill directly affects banks handling financial record requests and the individuals or entities seeking those records.
HB 374 requires online travel platforms (like booking websites) that facilitate hotel, cottage, or cabin rentals to collect and remit local hotel occupancy taxes, similar to how they handle sales taxes. Starting January 1, 2026, these platforms must pay the same occupancy taxes that local governments levy on stays in hotels, motels, or similar accommodations. The bill specifically adds "shared hotel brand" (e.g., Marriott or Hilton-branded properties) to the definition of taxable accommodations. This change shifts the tax collection responsibility from local governments to the platforms, directly affecting online booking services and the hotels using them.
HB 420 clarifies the process for political parties to dissolve after being officially recognized. It requires parties seeking dissolution to submit a notarized statement following their bylaws and include an explanation for the change in the notice sent to the secretary of state. The bill affects recognized political parties in the state by standardizing dissolution procedures and adding transparency requirements for the secretary of state's records. This is a procedural update to party registration rules, not a substantive policy change.
HB 24 amends Louisiana's Teachers' Retirement System to change the optional retirement plan's contribution rules. It requires teachers enrolled in the optional plan to pay the full annual actuarial cost of participation, rather than a portion. Additionally, the bill establishes that if a teacher elects to switch from the optional plan to the regular retirement plan, their contributions to the optional plan stop after the election month, and they immediately transition to the regular plan with employer contributions resuming. This directly affects current participants in the optional retirement plan who choose to switch or remain in the plan.
HB 109 modifies Louisiana's Geaux Teach Program scholarships to specify they cover only tuition, required fees, and textbooks after other financial aid is applied. It requires scholarship funds to address any remaining balance for these costs, not full expenses. The bill directly affects students receiving Geaux Teach scholarships by limiting how and when they can use the funds. This change ensures scholarships supplement, rather than replace, other available aid. The policy alters the program's financial structure without expanding eligibility or benefits.
