SB 200 proposes to implement new restrictions concerning international intercollegiate athletes attending colleges and universities. The bill specifically targets their compensation, outlining new limits or rules on how they can be paid. Additionally, it addresses their broader rights and the athletic scholarships they are awarded, directly affecting international student-athletes competing at these institutions.
Senate Bill 199 clarifies and expands the authority of the Department of Insurance concerning individuals or entities not licensed by the department who are believed to be engaging in the business of insurance and committing unfair trade practices. The bill empowers the Commissioner of Insurance to issue cease and desist orders, impose fines, or take other actions against such unlicensed persons. It also establishes a process for these unlicensed individuals or entities to appeal the commissioner's decisions to a district court for a new review. Filing an appeal generally pauses the commissioner's action, unless a court determines it would harm the public. Additionally, the bill clarifies that lawfully practicing law or assisting patients with healthcare prior authorizations and appeals are not considered part of the "business of insurance."
SCR 26 is a concurrent resolution that urges and requests the Louisiana Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, to review the state's election efforts. The resolution specifically asks her to consider presidential executive orders (EO 14248 and EO 13873) related to election integrity, foreign interference in information technology, and citizenship requirements for federal elections. The purpose of this review is to ensure fair, free, and unbiased state elections and to recommend any necessary changes to the Election Code.
SB 241 establishes a sales and use tax exemption for the parts and materials required to repair certain motor vehicles that are rented or leased. This means businesses involved in renting or leasing these vehicles would not pay sales tax on these specific repair components. The exemption is scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2025, and will no longer apply to taxable periods on or after July 1, 2030.
HR 110 is a resolution that proposes to repeal House Rule 8.8.1, also known as the Berthelot Rule. This rule currently dictates the preferential order for considering noncontroversial legislative instruments during their third reading and final passage in the House of Representatives.
This resolution amends House Rule 8.8.1(C)(2), which governs how legislative instruments are considered in preferential order within the House of Representatives. It requires any member who objects to a legislative instrument being considered preferentially to publicly state the reason for their objection. If an objection is made, the instrument will remain on the calendar in its original numerical order for consideration.
HCR 21 requests the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to study issues related to the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act. The Department is asked to develop a plan to enhance operations for small meat processing businesses in Louisiana, allowing them to sell meat directly to consumers and retailers under state oversight, and to report its findings by March 1, 2026.
HB 324 amends existing law concerning access to certain records. It specifically provides district attorneys and their investigators with access to records from the secretary of state's office. The bill also clarifies that individuals recognized as "protected" will not be exempt from the publication or retention of their personal information on records publicly posted by the secretary of state's office. These changes are set to take effect on February 1, 2026.
HB 183 updates the process for ad valorem (property) tax assessments and how they can be challenged. It establishes a 15-day period for public inspection of assessment lists, requiring assessors to provide public notice of these dates. The bill outlines procedures for property owners and tax recipient bodies to file written complaints with a board of review, specifying that supporting evidence must be included at the time of filing. It also limits the evidence considered during review to what was presented to the assessor before the complaint deadline and provides for appeals to the Louisiana Tax Commission.
HB 406 authorizes individuals to request the expungement of records from certain administrative adjudication proceedings. This applies if the Attorney General found that the agency's interpretation of law, which led to a stipulation, settlement, consent order, or default, was erroneous. Expungement is also allowed if the agency's proceedings concluded without a finding that the person violated the law. If the request meets these grounds, the agency must remove the records from public access, making them confidential and no longer public, though the records themselves are not destroyed and remain available to the agency.
HB 576 modifies regulations concerning insurance rates in both competitive and noncompetitive markets. The bill revises the criteria for determining if an insurer's profit is unreasonably high, expanding it to include expense provisions that are excessive in relation to services rendered. It also establishes a new process allowing the insurance commissioner to specify interim rates if existing rates are disapproved. During this period, the commissioner may order a portion of premiums to be placed in an escrow account. This bill directly affects insurance companies by adjusting how their rates are evaluated and approved, and policyholders through potential interim rates and refund mechanisms.
HB 478 requires public high school health centers and public postsecondary student health centers to post and distribute specific information. This information must pertain to pregnancy, adoption, and neonatal care. The bill aims to ensure students have access to resources on these topics within their school health facilities. This act is also known as the "Signs of Hope Act."
