Louisiana Bills

HR 239 creates a task force to study best practices for training poll commissioners, directly affecting election administration procedures and the development of training programs. The bill specifies the task force must include one clerk of court from an urban parish, one from a rural parish, and one from any parish. Its key mechanism is directing this group to examine current training methods and recommend improvements. This is a procedural measure focused on research, not immediate policy implementation.

HB 660 increases annual registration taxes for commercial trucks and trailers in Louisiana. It raises the annual fee for semitrailers and trailers from $10 to $15 (or $40 to $60 for a four-year payment), and increases the one-time permanent registration fee from $70 to $105. Light trailers, farm trailers under 6,000 lbs, and boat trailers will see their annual tax rise from $3 to $4.50. The bill directly affects owners of these vehicles by raising their registration costs, with no change to the payment options or refund rules. The tax changes apply statewide to all relevant vehicles registered in Louisiana.

HB 512 clarifies language in existing law regarding criminal blighting of property, which involves property being used for illegal activity that harms the neighborhood. It directly affects property owners and law enforcement by removing ambiguous phrasing about whether a property owner's representative or agent could be held liable. The bill makes minor technical corrections to the bill text - specifically deleting unnecessary commas and a redundant phrase about property owner representatives - to ensure the law applies clearly to property owners themselves. This is a procedural amendment to existing law, not a new policy change, and it does not alter the scope of criminal blighting offenses.

This concurrent resolution (HCR 74) requests the Louisiana Supreme Court to create new rules prohibiting judges from attending campaign events for political candidates. It directly affects Louisiana judges by requiring them to avoid any appearance of endorsing candidates, which could violate Canon 7 of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The resolution cites concerns that social media photos of judges at campaign events might create the *appearance* of violating ethics rules, even if no endorsement occurs. The bill does not change existing law but asks the Supreme Court to develop specific rules to address this issue.

HCR 67 creates a special task force to evaluate whether Louisiana has or needs a reliable method to model how carbon dioxide behaves when stored underground in geologic formations. The task force, including state agency leaders and academic representatives, will assess existing government, industry, or university models by July 2025 to determine if they can predict CO2 movement with 95% certainty across all soil and rock types in the state. If no such model exists, the task force must develop a timeline for Louisiana researchers to create and test one. This directly affects state agencies overseeing carbon capture projects, the emerging carbon sequestration industry, and academic institutions. The resolution does not create new regulations but focuses on ensuring accurate risk assessment for carbon storage projects permitted under Louisiana’s Class VI well rules.

This resolution urges regional electricity grid planners (like MISO and SPP) to adopt new planning methods that consider long-term risks such as hurricanes, cyberattacks, and extreme weather. It specifically requests using 20-year planning horizons, evaluating projects based on national security, reliability, and cost fairness, and ensuring Louisiana ratepayers aren’t disproportionately burdened. The resolution directly affects grid operators and Louisiana’s electricity customers by shaping how transmission projects are assessed and funded. It does not create new law but requests specific planning approaches for grid resilience.

SB 180 creates a pilot program called "Farm-Ed" to integrate controlled environment grow chambers and related STEM curriculum into Louisiana public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Education must develop rules for selecting participating schools and allocating funds from available appropriations. The program aims to provide hands-on agricultural technology education in classrooms, with implementation to begin as soon as funding is secured. This bill directly affects Louisiana K-12 schools participating in the pilot and requires new administrative rules for its operation.

HB 415 authorizes Louisiana gaming operators to receive an additional deduction on promotional play wagers. This expanded deduction, known as a promotional play credit, is granted to operators who make qualifying capital investments, such as expenditures on land, buildings, equipment, or facility improvements. The credit amount is linked to the total capital outlay and can be claimed annually for up to ten years, with yearly limits based on a percentage of the outlay or the operator's gross gaming revenue. Additionally, the bill directs the Louisiana Economic Development department to create a strategic plan by 2027, recommending gaming tax and incentive policies to promote economic development.

House Resolution 204 is a procedural resolution that urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to study and take action on establishing a Louisiana Auto Manufacturing Fund. This fund would aim to support the development and production of automobiles within the state. The resolution directs the DOTD to submit a report summarizing its findings on the benefits of creating such a fund to the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works by August 1, 2026.

HCR 63 is a concurrent resolution that urges and requests the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) to conduct a study. The study would examine the benefits of clarifying the data law enforcement officers must collect during certain traffic stops, particularly considering the inclusion of ethnicity data alongside existing requirements like race. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and understanding of traffic stop patterns. The DPS&C is asked to submit a report summarizing its findings to specific legislative committees by August 1, 2026.

HCR 64 is a concurrent resolution that urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission to research the legality and feasibility of increasing nuclear energy generation within the state. It asks these agencies to study the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy, including economic, environmental, and workforce impacts, as well as site characteristics, safety criteria, and tax implications.

HB 220 creates a new criminal offense for the improper storage of a firearm. The bill defines "firearm" to include various weapons such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, and assault rifles. It also specifically defines a "minor child" as a person who is thirteen years of age or younger. This legislation aims to address firearm storage practices, particularly in relation to preventing access by children in this age group.