SB 114 amends Louisiana's Civil Code to change how prescription periods (the time limits for filing lawsuits) are calculated. It states that if the final day of a prescription period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline automatically extends to the next business day. This directly affects individuals and businesses involved in civil cases, such as personal injury claims or contract disputes, where timing is critical. The change ensures parties aren't unfairly penalized for deadlines falling on non-business days.
SB 84 allows the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority to hire specific former commissioners with a master's in business administration and 30+ years of hospitality/hotel management experience, even if they left public service before 2025. This exception temporarily overrides a standard rule prohibiting such hires after public service ends. The provision applies only to qualified commissioners meeting these criteria and expires December 31, 2025. It creates no permanent change to the Authority’s hiring policies.
HB 320 provides Louisiana state supplemental pay of $600 per month to full-time emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners (including EMTs, paramedics, and advanced EMTs) employed by local governments after completing one year of service. The bill directly affects full-time EMS staff in cities, parishes, and fire protection districts, excluding part-time workers, volunteers, and those in clerical or maintenance roles. Payments will be disbursed by the state to local governments based on approved lists of eligible employees, with the funds included in payroll calculations for taxes and retirement benefits. The program begins July 1, 2027, and requires local officials to submit payment requests to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
HB 452 prohibits members of a charter school's governing board who have been replaced (reconstituted) due to specific circumstances from also holding a public office defined under Louisiana law. This applies directly to charter school board members in Louisiana who are appointed to replace an existing board. The bill adds this restriction to Louisiana's charter school law, requiring that such board members cannot serve simultaneously in elected or appointed public roles like city council or parish office. The law would take effect upon gubernatorial approval or legislative override of a veto. This is a procedural change affecting charter school governance rules, not a new funding or program.
SB 149 repeals Louisiana's earned income tax credit (EITC), a refundable tax credit for low-to-moderate income individuals and families. The bill removes this specific tax provision, meaning eligible taxpayers would no longer receive this credit starting with tax returns filed for 2026 (taxable periods beginning January 1, 2026). The repeal applies directly to Louisiana residents who currently qualify for the EITC under state law. The change takes effect on January 1, 2026, with no specified transition period.
HB 448 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's property tax code, restricting tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations. It would prohibit tax exemptions on nonprofit-owned property used for commercial purposes unrelated to the nonprofit's exempt purpose (e.g., renting space for a for-profit business). This directly affects nonprofits operating commercial activities on their property, requiring them to pay ad valorem taxes on that portion. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election and would take effect January 1, 2027.
SB 198 allows students attending approved nonpublic schools in Louisiana to join public school extracurricular activities or sports if their own school doesn’t offer that specific activity and they live in the public school’s neighborhood district. It requires nonpublic school students to apply through the same process as public school students and meet identical academic and conduct standards, such as maintaining required grades. Students who fail to meet these standards may be removed from the activity, just like public school participants. The bill directly affects nonpublic school students seeking access to activities unavailable at their own school.
HB 302 requires asbestos lawsuit claimants in Louisiana to disclose all related asbestos trust claims within 30 days of filing their case. This includes providing detailed exposure history, work records, medical evidence, and all trust-related documents (like claim forms and settlement records). The bill mandates that defendants can challenge incomplete disclosures 60 days before trial, and courts must delay trials for 90 days if additional trust claims are needed. It also makes asbestos trust materials automatically admissible in court without privilege claims, directly affecting plaintiffs, defendants, and asbestos trusts in civil litigation.
HB 348 provides $600 monthly supplemental pay for full-time fire protection officers employed by Louisiana's Lakefront Management Authority, in addition to their regular pay from the agency. To qualify, officers must have completed one year of service and either hold National Fire Protection Association Firefighter I/II certification or pass a state-approved training program. The bill requires this supplemental pay to be adjusted if state-mandated increases occur for similar positions. It takes effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.
HB 322 creates the Northeast Louisiana Multimodal District, a new local government entity focused on advancing rail infrastructure and economic development in northeastern Louisiana. The district can enter contracts for rail construction and operations, adopt powers similar to existing industrial and economic development boards, and establish subdistricts within its boundaries after public hearings. It directly affects communities and businesses within the district by enabling coordinated investment in rail services and industrial growth. The bill establishes the district's governance structure and operational framework but does not allocate funding or set specific development projects.
SB 217 requires Louisiana casino operators to maintain at least 90% of their workforce level and limit payroll reductions to no more than 10% from the levels established on March 8, 2001. The bill directly affects casino operators by setting these specific minimums for employee headcount and compensation, which must be overseen by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. It amends existing law to prohibit reductions below these thresholds in the operating force or personnel compensation. The provisions aim to stabilize employment and wages for casino workers under the existing contract framework.
HB 553 prohibits the use of eminent domain (government power to take private property) or unitization orders (forcing landowner participation) for pipelines transporting carbon dioxide. It directly affects landowners who might otherwise face forced property acquisition and pipeline companies seeking to build CO2 transport infrastructure. The bill amends Louisiana law to explicitly state that no entity can exercise eminent domain to acquire property for constructing or operating a CO2 pipeline, and requires landowner consent for any pipeline project using unitization. This changes existing provisions that previously allowed such acquisitions under certain conditions, focusing solely on the acquisition method rather than pipeline construction.
