HB 335 requires state agencies, local governments, and organizations administering federal, state, or local public benefits (like food assistance or housing programs) to verify applicants' U.S. citizenship or valid immigration status under federal law. It mandates that entities must verify citizenship before approving benefits, with specific procedures for cases where applicants lack proper status. The bill also requires these entities to undergo annual audits by the legislative auditor and submit yearly reports to state leadership detailing how many applicants were referred to immigration authorities or had benefits terminated due to citizenship verification. These reports must include statistics on referrals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and terminations of public assistance under the law.
HB 638 requires owners to pay contractors for commercial construction work within 35 days of a written request, and contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers within 7 days of receiving owner funds. It imposes daily penalties of 1.5% for late payments (capped at 15% total), plus interest at 1.5% per day and attorney fees for nonpayment. The law applies to construction on non-residential property, excluding residential projects, and allows affected parties to sue for unpaid amounts. Key provisions include mandatory proportional payments based on work completed and nullifying any waivers of these requirements.
HB 807 establishes a special fund within Louisiana's state treasury to support the Community and Technical College System's workforce training programs. It directly affects community colleges and private-sector employers in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology by providing funding to hire more instructors and expand training capacity. Key provisions include using the fund for rapid-response instructor deployment, recruitment incentives, temporary instructors, and salary supplements - while prohibiting these funds from replacing existing state higher education funding. The program requires annual reporting to legislative committees on fund usage, supported industries, and credentials awarded.
HB 730 prohibits using data from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems - technology that tracks aircraft location, altitude, and speed - to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators in Louisiana. It directly affects pilots, airlines, and airport authorities by preventing the use of this surveillance data for billing purposes. The law allows airport authorities to set fees and enforce payments but bans fee calculations based on ADS-B data, with violations punishable by fines up to $500 per occurrence. This clarifies that ADS-B data, used for air traffic safety, cannot be monetized for aircraft-related charges.
HB 511 creates a grant program within Louisiana's Commission on Law Enforcement to fund pursuit intervention technologies for state, parish, and municipal police departments. The bill authorizes funding for specific safety tools like GPS tracking projectiles, vehicle-stopping nets, and remote tire deflation devices to safely end high-speed chases. Agencies must integrate these technologies into their use-of-force policies to qualify for grants, with priority given to those emphasizing reduced manual deployment risks. Funds may come from state, federal, or other sources aligned with Louisiana's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The program aims to improve officer and public safety during vehicle pursuits by supporting technology adoption.
HB 761 creates an advisory board within Louisiana's Department of Health to review and recommend new treatments for rare cancers. The 17-member board includes health officials, cancer researchers, oncologists from major institutions (like LSU, Tulane, and Xavier), and representatives from cancer research centers. The board must hold quarterly public meetings, compile findings within 30-45 days, and submit written reports to the Insurance Committees of both legislative chambers. This process directly affects how the Department of Health evaluates rare cancer treatments, streamlining recommendations to the agency for potential adoption.
HB 337 increases the number of annual special bingo sessions allowed for charitable organizations in Louisiana, raising the limit to no more than two sessions per year. It also sets a $25,000 daily cap on total prizes (cash or value) awarded during these sessions. The bill directly affects licensed charitable groups that operate bingo games, clarifying that standard gambling regulations still apply to these special licenses.
HB 755 establishes a new contracting method for Louisiana state agencies to hire professional design firms (like architects and engineers) for ongoing projects. It creates "master contracts" allowing agencies to issue multiple task orders for specific design work under a single agreement, with a maximum total fee of $1 million and a 2-year term. The bill requires agencies to follow specific selection procedures through professional boards, maintain at least two active contracts at all times, and prohibits using this system for new building designs. This directly affects state agencies needing design services and professional firms seeking state work, streamlining procurement while setting clear financial and procedural limits.
HB 719 mandates minimum staffing levels for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) across all 42 judicial districts in Louisiana, including Orleans Parish (New Orleans). The bill specifies exact minimum numbers - such as 35 ADAs for the First Judicial District and 83 for Orleans Parish - requiring district attorneys to appoint at least these numbers in each district. It also requires approval from the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys before implementation, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects district attorneys’ offices by setting enforceable staffing requirements, without altering legal procedures or creating new programs.
HB 403 changes Louisiana's food safety law to set a $30,100 annual sales threshold for home-based food sellers. It directly affects small home food businesses whose gross sales reach or exceed this amount, requiring them to comply with standard food safety regulations. The bill amends Section 4.9(B) of the state code to remove the exemption from the Sanitary Code for these sellers. This is a concrete policy change limiting the current exemption to businesses with lower sales volumes.
HB 895 requires Louisiana hospitals and healthcare providers to offer sexual assault survivors specific medical treatments without undue delay. It mandates that providers make emergency contraception available and provide at least a three-day supply of HIV/STI prevention medication when medically needed, alongside private examinations adapted to each survivor's needs. The bill also requires hospitals to offer a survivor advocate (with confidential communications) during forensic exams, with the survivor's consent. This directly affects sexual assault survivors receiving emergency medical care in Louisiana hospitals.
HB 748 would exempt all Louisiana school board-owned vehicles from paying tolls on state-operated bridges, highways, and public ferries (excluding the Greater New Orleans Expressway). Currently, only school buses carrying students during specific hours have toll-free passage; this bill expands that exemption to cover any vehicle owned or operated by Louisiana school boards. The law would require the state to provide free passage for these vehicles over all public toll roads, bridges, and ferries managed by Louisiana. This change directly affects school districts by reducing operational costs for their vehicle fleets.
