HB 924 protects homeowners in Louisiana during disaster recovery by regulating contractors. It bans contractors from directly approaching homeowners (in person, by mail, or phone) for disaster-related repairs unless the homeowner initiates contact, and prohibits offers like discounts or gift cards to encourage insurance claims. Contractors must provide clear written disclosures before signing contracts, including a 30-day cancellation right (extended if disclosures are missing) and warnings about deductibles. The bill directly affects homeowners in declared disaster areas and contractors performing residential repairs, with enforcement through license penalties for violations like "license renting" or misleading claims.
HB 837 would allow injured parties to seek punitive "exemplary damages" in civil lawsuits if an unauthorized immigrant (defined as someone unlawfully present in the U.S. under federal law) causes injury. The bill specifically targets both the unauthorized immigrant and their employer for liability, expanding civil liability beyond general damages. It amends Louisiana's Civil Code to add this provision, making it easier for victims to pursue additional compensation in such cases. The bill is currently pending in committee after being prefilled and referred on February 27, 2026.
HB 800, the "Make Affordable Groceries Again Act," prohibits large grocery suppliers and dominant retailers from engaging in unfair pricing practices that disadvantage smaller retailers. It requires covered suppliers (those with over $6 billion in annual sales) to offer identical terms of sale to all retailers purchasing goods on the same volume basis, and to share anonymized pricing data with non-dominant retailers upon request within 14 days. The law specifically targets price discrimination against smaller retailers by major chains (dominant covered retailers with over $18 billion in annual sales) and prevents coercion of suppliers to violate these rules. It directly affects large grocery suppliers, dominant retailers, and smaller retailers competing for the same products, aiming to increase pricing transparency in grocery markets. The bill does not apply to gasoline, prescription drugs, tobacco, or alcohol.
HB 318 amends Louisiana's Civil Code to extend the period for presuming a husband is the father of a child born during marriage or within 390 days after the marriage ends (currently 300 days). This change directly affects children born during or shortly after a marriage termination, and their mothers' spouses. The bill modifies the legal presumption of paternity by lengthening the timeframe for establishing the husband's parental rights. It does not alter other parentage rules or create new obligations. The measure is a procedural update to the Civil Code, not a substantive policy change affecting broader public programs.
HB 496 establishes minimum surface injection pressure limits for saltwater disposal wells in Bossier, Caddo, and Webster Parishes, directly affecting oil and gas operators using these wells. It sets three specific pressure thresholds based on well depth and daily fluid volume: 0.5 psi per vertical foot for deeper wells injecting under 3,000 barrels/day, and 0.25 psi per vertical foot for deeper wells injecting 3,000+ barrels/day or shallower wells (1,200 feet or less). Existing permit holders with stricter pressure limits can request modifications to comply with these new minimums. The bill does not apply to commercial disposal wells and focuses on regulating onsite or community saltwater disposal operations.
HB 642 establishes Louisiana's six congressional districts by defining specific geographic boundaries for each district, replacing the previous map. The bill details which parishes and precincts belong to each district, ensuring each elects one representative to the U.S. House of Representatives. This directly affects all Louisiana voters by determining their congressional district for federal elections. The key mechanism is the comprehensive redefinition of district lines, updating the state's electoral map for congressional representation.
SB 362 prohibits businesses from charging different prices to consumers based on personal data collected through surveillance (like browsing history, location, or biometrics), which is defined as an unfair trade practice. It directly affects businesses selling goods or services and protects consumers from price discrimination tied to their personal characteristics or behaviors. The bill allows exceptions for price differences due to actual cost variations or for discounts offered equally to all consumers (e.g., military or senior discounts), provided the data used for discounts is voluntarily shared and not used for other purposes. Violations can be challenged through private lawsuits, with penalties under existing consumer protection laws.
HB 620 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Louisiana's legislature to establish a centralized system for collecting all local sales and use taxes currently collected separately by parishes, school boards, and other local taxing authorities. If approved by voters and enacted, it would require the legislature to pass a law (with a two-thirds vote) creating a single central collector to gather all local sales tax revenue, with funds promptly remitted to the original taxing authority. This would replace the current system where each local government collects its own taxes, while ensuring collected tax dollars remain distinct from state funds. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2026 and would take effect January 1, 2027.
HB 329 amends Louisiana law to explicitly include "members of the United Cajun Navy" in the legal definition of "first responder." This change directly affects the United Cajun Navy, a registered nonprofit organization (charter #43009455N), by formally recognizing its members as first responders during emergencies. The bill updates existing statutes (R.S. 23:1017.1 and R.S. 29:723) to add the group to the list of qualified responders, alongside medical personnel, firefighters, and others. This is a definitional change only - no new funding, duties, or programs are created. The bill does not alter the responsibilities of first responders but ensures the United Cajun Navy is legally acknowledged in emergency response frameworks.
HB 736 requires Louisiana insurers to disclose insurance rate information to the public unless they meet strict, specific criteria to claim it as a "trade secret." Insurers must clearly mark such information, provide sworn affidavits justifying the claim, and submit it separately - failing to do so waives the claim. The bill explicitly prohibits trade secret claims for financial models, affiliate transactions, compensation data, and other rate-related details, ensuring these are publicly accessible. The Insurance Commissioner must review all claims and deny those not meeting the criteria, with penalties up to $25,000 for false claims.
HB 282 requires Louisiana employers to assess whether an applicant's criminal history has a direct, adverse relationship to specific job duties before denying employment. It mandates consideration of factors like rehabilitation efforts (e.g., education, vocational training), juvenile offenses, and job-relatedness of the offense. The Louisiana Commission on Human Rights enforces the law, investigating complaints and ordering remedies like corrective hiring actions or up to $1,000 per violation, but prohibits private lawsuits. This bill directly affects job applicants with criminal records and employers across Louisiana seeking to hire them.
HB 426 amends Louisiana law to define "criminal blighting of property" as intentionally or negligently allowing property deterioration that has been officially declared blighted or a public nuisance by a hearing officer. It directly affects property owners, their agents, or anyone in control of the property. The key provision links criminal liability to formal administrative findings under existing laws (R.S. 13:2575-2576), requiring an official declaration before the offense applies. This changes the legal standard by adding "criminally negligent" permitting to the definition, making it clearer when property owners may face criminal charges for neglect. The bill is currently in early committee review with no votes taken yet.
