HB 655 authorizes Louisiana's Department of Transportation to contract with private companies for building, operating, and maintaining state ferry systems and related facilities. It allows the department to use cost-plus contracts (where costs are reimbursed plus a fee) without following standard procurement rules when the state determines it's beneficial. This change applies to all state-owned ferries and associated infrastructure across Louisiana. The bill aims to provide the department greater flexibility in managing ferry services efficiently.
HB 735 transfers four specific parcels of state-owned land in Caddo Parish (including parts of Salisbury Park and Samford Place subdivisions) from the Department of Transportation and Development to the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport. The bill requires the transfer to be completed by July 1, 2026, and mandates that LSU Health Sciences Center record the property change in Caddo Parish records. This transfer directly affects the state agency currently holding the property (DOTD) and the receiving institution (LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport). The bill also repeals prior legislative provisions related to transferring similar property in Caddo Parish.
HB 852 requires Louisiana's individual income tax form to permanently include a checkoff option for taxpayers to donate to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This change directly affects Louisiana taxpayers who file individual income tax returns, ensuring this donation option remains visible on their forms year after year. The bill amends tax code to prevent removal of this specific checkoff, overriding a standard rule that would eliminate donation options with low annual contributions ($10,000 over two years). This is a concrete policy change to sustain funding for domestic violence prevention services through the tax system.
HB 260 amends Louisiana law to define "reasonable transportation" for legislators, specifically allowing them to accept complimentary travel to foreign countries under certain conditions. It permits legislators to use free transportation organized for trade, cultural, diplomatic, educational, or humanitarian purposes when sponsored by a foreign government or a nonprofit, educational, or political organization. This bill directly affects Louisiana state legislators by clarifying permissible travel arrangements under existing ethics rules, without creating new financial obligations or altering voting rights.
HB 545 caps interest rates for consumer loans in Louisiana based on loan amounts: 36% annually for balances up to $10,400, 27% for amounts between $10,401 and $42,000, 24% for balances between $42,001 and $7,000 (note: likely a typo for $70,000), and 21% for amounts over $7,000. It also limits upfront origination fees to $575 for consumer loans or revolving accounts. The bill directly affects Louisiana consumers taking personal loans and licensed lenders offering such loans. These changes aim to standardize and restrict borrowing costs under state law. The bill is currently in early stages (prefiled February 2026) with no voting record yet.
HB 515 allows local governments in Louisiana (like cities or parishes) to sell certain adjudicated properties without public bidding under two specific conditions. First, adjacent landowners who maintained the property for one year can buy it at any price set by the local government. Second, properties valued under $50,000 can be sold directly to any buyer at a fixed price set by the local government through a resolution or ordinance. This bill changes the standard requirement for public bidding for these limited property sales, directly affecting local governments and eligible buyers.
HB 474 allows Louisiana taxpayers who file individual income tax returns and receive a refund to redirect all or part of that refund to the Grambling University National Alumni Association. Taxpayers would indicate this choice when filing their return, reducing their refund amount by the designated portion. The Louisiana Department of Revenue would administer and distribute the donated funds to the alumni association starting with tax years beginning January 1, 2027. This is a procedural tax form change, not a new tax or spending measure.
HB 192 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit foreign adversaries or their agents from expropriating (taking or damaging) private property in Louisiana. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly ban such actions by foreign adversaries, while maintaining existing requirements for just compensation and judicial review of property takings for public purposes. The amendment directly affects property owners by adding a new legal barrier against foreign entities seeking to seize their land or assets. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, it would become part of Louisiana's Constitution, changing the legal standard for property rights. The bill does not create new government powers but restricts private entities acting as foreign adversaries.
This bill modifies Louisiana's funding rules for the Judges' Supplemental Compensation Fund, which covers supplemental pay for judges. It specifically affects judges serving in certain positions who either completed service by December 31, 2026, or have at least three years of service after that date. The bill requires monthly transfers to cover the state's retirement contribution for these judges and prohibits increasing payments beyond the 2025-26 fiscal year level, instead directing savings to a reserve fund to maintain stable payments during revenue shortfalls. The fund's operations and reserve mechanism are now formally codified in state law.
SB 357 updates Louisiana's court procedures by creating a new mechanism allowing federal courts and courts from other states to request guidance from Louisiana's Supreme Court on unresolved questions of Louisiana law. It also modifies administrative rules regarding court security personnel, crier salaries, and expense reimbursements for justices (including travel costs for those living over 50 miles from court). The bill repeals an outdated section (R.S. 13:75) and adds provisions clarifying that certain reimbursements do not count toward retirement benefits. These changes primarily affect state court operations, justices, and security staff, with no direct impact on the general public.
HB 514 proposes a constitutional amendment (Article VII, Section 21(P)) to create an additional property tax exemption for Louisiana residents aged 65 and older who already qualify for the homestead exemption. It provides age-based exemptions: $6,000 for ages 65-68, $12,000 for 69-72, $18,000 for 73-76, $24,000 for 77-80, and $30,000 for 81+. The exemption requires local parish or municipality approval via voter referendum and prohibits taxing authorities from increasing taxes on other residents due to this change. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2028, pending voter approval in November 2026.
SB 22 adds constables in the Second City Court of New Orleans to the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS) as eligible members. This specifically affects constables in that court who previously may not have qualified for MERS membership under existing rules. The bill amends Louisiana law to define "marshals or constables of city courts" as eligible employers under MERS, expanding retirement system access for these positions. The change takes effect upon governor's signature or legislative approval, without altering existing retirement benefits or creating new positions.
