HB 48 amends Louisiana law to clarify membership requirements and contribution rules for the Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund. It requires all deputies (including those in Orleans Parish), criminal/civil deputies, and specific court criers (Orleans Civil District Court and Louisiana Supreme Court) aged 18+ with minimum salaries to automatically join the fund. The bill mandates monthly deductions from members' salaries and employer payments covering both employee and employer shares, to be remitted to the fund's treasurer. If employers fail to pay, the fund's treasurer notifies the legislative auditor, who can withhold the employer's funds until payments are made. This bill directly affects Louisiana sheriffs' deputies and court officers in designated roles.
This bill designates the Friday of the International Rice Festival as a legal holiday in Acadia Parish, allowing the clerk of court to close the parish courthouse that day. It specifically applies to Acadia Parish offices and requires the courthouse to remain open only if election-related duties require it. The bill creates a recurring annual closure for this local festival without changing broader state holiday rules.
HB 34 modifies retirement eligibility for sheriffs in Louisiana's Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund. It allows sheriffs who began employment on or after January 1, 2012, to receive an actuarial equivalent of their retirement benefit at age 50 (instead of age 55) if they have at least 30 years of service and are over 50. The provision requires a written application to the board of trustees and creates an option for earlier retirement without changing the benefit amount calculation. This directly affects eligible sheriffs meeting the service and age criteria under the fund.
HB 46 modifies health insurance premium coverage for retired DeSoto Parish sheriffs and deputies. It requires the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office to pay specific percentages of group health insurance premiums based on years of service: 100% for 30+ years, 75% for 25+ years, and 50% for 20+ years (for those hired after January 1, 2009). Retirees hired before 2009 are covered under separate existing rules. The bill applies to those retiring before January 1, 2026, and covers hospital, surgical, medical, dental, and limited life insurance premiums.
HB 50 temporarily re-creates Louisiana's Department of Education (DOE) effective June 30, 2026, for a fixed period ending July 1, 2031. It specifically revives the DOE and all agencies previously part of it, requiring them to begin phasing out operations starting July 1, 2030, with full termination on July 1, 2031. This bill directly affects the DOE and its statutory entities by establishing a defined timeline for their temporary revival and eventual termination.
HB 53 adds seven specific gambling-related crimes to Louisiana’s list of offenses that can serve as the basis for racketeering charges. It includes violations like operating illegal gambling games (R.S. 14:90), gambling in public (R.S. 14:90.2), computer gambling (R.S. 14:90.3), and bribery of sports participants (R.S. 14:118.1). Prosecutors can now use these gambling crimes as "predicate offenses" to build racketeering cases under Louisiana’s racketeering statute. The bill does not change the gambling laws themselves but expands how gambling violations can be prosecuted under broader organized crime statutes.
SB 244 would establish a new recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana, separate from existing commercial hunting. It requires hunters to obtain a special alligator hunting license and recreational harvest tags issued by the Louisiana Wildlife Commission, and prohibits hunting outside designated seasons, without proper licenses/tags, or using illegal methods. The bill allows the Commission to set specific seasons, harvest quotas, residency rules, and permitted hunting hours by geographic area. Violations would be classified as a class three violation, with penalties specified in the bill. This directly affects Louisiana residents and visitors seeking to hunt alligators recreationally under new rules.
SB 256 amends Louisiana law to establish a single elected clerk of court for both the civil and criminal district courts in Orleans Parish, replacing separate positions. The clerk is elected by parish voters every four years, receives a base salary plus a $10,000 state-funded supplement, and must participate in a certification program. Key provisions include requiring the clerk to collect lump-sum fees for pleadings (set by judges) and deposit 50-60% of collected fees into court funds. The bill also specifies expense allowances, vehicle use rules for the clerk’s office, and administrative duties like maintaining court dockets.
HB 767 would create a lottery system for Louisiana residents seeking recreational alligator hunting permits. It requires a $50 nonrefundable entry fee for the lottery, with successful applicants receiving harvest tags at no additional cost (the fee may apply toward a $25 annual resident license). All revenue from lottery fees and auctions would be directed to the state Conservation Fund. This bill specifically affects Louisiana residents who wish to hunt alligators recreationally under a new permit system, pending legislative approval.
SB 350 changes the name of the Louisiana Soybean Association to the Louisiana Soybean Cotton and Grain Association in Louisiana law. This bill amends a statute (R.S. 3:3552(A)) that establishes the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board, updating the reference to the correct name of the organization that nominates soybean producers for board appointments. The bill does not create new policies or funding; it only corrects the statutory reference to match the organization's current name. This is a technical, procedural update affecting how the law references the association.
This bill updates Louisiana civil procedure rules to clarify how courts handle fees for serving legal documents, specifically citations, to defendants. It requires court clerks to send filing parties a confirmation of their request along with a statement of initial fees, and any additional fees must be paid within a specified timeframe to keep the case active. The law also states that a case will not be automatically dismissed for lack of service if the required fees were paid on time, even if the actual delivery of the document was delayed or incorrect. These changes apply only to lawsuits filed after the bill takes effect and do not affect individuals who are allowed to sue without paying court costs.
HB 111 would allow incarcerated individuals in Louisiana to earn an additional 90 days of credit toward their parole supervision date if they obtain an associate's degree from a regionally accredited, department-approved educational institution while serving their sentence. This policy directly affects people in Louisiana state prisons who complete such a degree program. The key provision adds this specific credit to existing good time calculations under Louisiana law, reducing the time they must serve under parole supervision. The bill does not alter prison sentences but shortens the parole period for eligible individuals who earn the degree.
