HB 67 amends Louisiana law to require removal of personal information for individuals recognized as "protected" (such as victims of certain crimes or abuse) from public records maintained by the secretary of state and district clerks. It directly affects these protected individuals by ensuring their personal details - like addresses or contact information - are not left publicly accessible online or in physical court files. The bill mandates that offices must proactively remove such information from publicly posted records, rather than allowing individuals to opt out of removal. This creates a concrete policy change to enhance privacy for vulnerable groups in government databases.
HB 77 requires the Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court to pay 100% of group insurance premiums (including life, health, dental, and medical expense coverage) for qualifying retirees. It directly affects former Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court employees who retire with at least 20 years of full-time service, are age 55 or older, and begin receiving retirement benefits immediately upon retirement. The bill specifically covers standard group insurance plans but excludes supplemental insurance options. This provision is limited to Lincoln Parish and applies only to retirees meeting these exact service and age requirements.
HB 138 amends Louisiana law to regulate the Parkwood Terrace Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish. It sets a yearly parcel fee for residential properties within the district between $100 and $150, requiring initial voter approval and allowing a 10% annual increase without new votes (but not exceeding the $150 cap). The fee must be supplemental to city and parish law enforcement services, expires after 10 years (with possible renewal), and cannot be combined with other fees to exceed the $150 limit. This directly affects property owners in the Parkwood Terrace district by establishing clear rules for funding neighborhood safety initiatives.
HB 127 defines the boundaries of the Victoria Farms Crime Prevention and Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish to match the Victoria Farms Subdivision plat, using Airline Highway, Greenwell Street, Joor Road, and Greenwell Springs Road as perimeter lines. It establishes a parcel fee system for properties within the district, requiring voter approval via election before the fee can be implemented. The district board may later adjust the fee amount through a formal resolution, but cannot exceed the maximum set by law. This bill directly affects property owners in the Victoria Farms area by creating a mechanism for funding crime prevention and improvement initiatives through a locally approved fee.
HB 247 creates the Allen Parish Economic Development District to replace the Allen Parish Tourist Commission, directly affecting all residents and businesses in Allen Parish. The district, governed by a five-member board including chamber presidents and parish officials, will focus on economic development, job creation, and infrastructure improvements across the entire parish. A key provision allows the district to levy a 3% hotel occupancy tax on room rentals, collected in addition to existing city taxes, with funds dedicated exclusively to district projects. The bill abolishes the Tourist Commission and transfers its assets, while establishing the new district as a political subdivision authorized to contract, acquire property, and develop public improvements.
SB 161 repeals Louisiana's R.S. 42:31, which previously required certain unclassified state employees to have a registered motor vehicle or valid driver's license as part of their employment eligibility. This change removes that specific requirement for the affected employees. The bill is currently pending before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.
SB 148 amends Louisiana law to allow the governing authority of Lake Charles (and 11 other specified municipalities) to pay members of their local planning commissions a daily payment ("per diem") for attending meetings. The bill specifies that the rate of payment and the number of meetings eligible for payment must be set by the municipality through its own ordinance. This change provides a formal mechanism for compensating commission members, but does not require any municipality to implement such payments.
SB 144 amends Louisiana law to clarify that hospital service districts must cooperate with other public and private healthcare providers serving district residents. It updates the statutory purpose of these districts to explicitly include working with hospitals, clinics, and health agencies. This change directly affects Louisiana hospital service districts and their governing bodies, requiring them to formally engage with broader healthcare networks. The bill does not create new programs or funding but refines existing cooperative obligations under state law.
SB 234 requires all public Louisiana medical schools offering doctorate degrees to use a letter-grade system (A-F with plus/minus) for student coursework starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. It directly affects public medical schools and their grading policies, mandating that all medical degree coursework be assessed using this specific scale. The Louisiana Board of Regents will enforce the rule and can impose civil penalties for violations. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is titled the "Medical School Letter Grade Act."
SB 277 allows certain Louisiana state officials to carry concealed weapons when annually qualified in firearm use by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training. It expands existing exemptions to include positions like legislators, judges, district attorneys, and various state agency heads (e.g., secretary of state, treasurer, commissioners). The bill also specifies that certain high-level officials (attorney general, governor, lieutenant governor, and their designated staff) may carry weapons inside the state capitol building under the same qualification requirement.
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.
