HB 657 modifies how fees from Louisiana's therapeutic marijuana sales are managed by the Department of Health. The bill adds $225,000 to the state budget specifically for handling these fees, which medical marijuana providers pay when selling products. This change directly affects the Department of Health (responsible for collecting and managing the fees) and licensed medical marijuana businesses. The key provision adjusts the fee collection process without altering the underlying medical marijuana program structure. The bill is currently scheduled for floor debate in the Louisiana legislature.
HB 582 updates the maximum loan amount for small loans (defined as $350 or less for 60 days or less) by requiring annual adjustments based on inflation. It mandates that the state office of financial institutions calculate a new yearly maximum principal balance using the previous year's Consumer Price Index data, rounding up to the nearest $10. This applies specifically to licensed financial institutions offering deferred presentment transactions or small loans, directly affecting borrowers who use these services and the institutions that provide them. The bill does not change fee limits but ensures the loan cap automatically adjusts for inflation each year.
HB 280 requires insurers to provide written notice within 90 days of completing a workers' compensation premium audit before collecting past-due premiums from employers. It prohibits insurers from modifying audit results more than three years after a policy ends, except for cases involving fraud, misrepresentation, or disputed audits. Employers who overpaid premiums may receive refunds if audits confirm excess payments. Self-insured employers are excluded from these requirements.
HB 541 would create a state registry for individuals and entities that provide caregiving services to referred individuals. The bill establishes a new code section (40:2120.8) requiring these caregivers to be listed in the registry, primarily affecting those offering direct care services. This registry would serve as a centralized database for tracking caregiving providers, with no significant fiscal impact expected. The bill focuses on administrative tracking rather than changing healthcare access or funding.
HB 437 establishes a standardized model proof of loss form for property and motor vehicle insurance claims, requiring policyholders to provide specific details like loss location, estimated repair costs, and certifications about claim accuracy. It directly affects policyholders filing claims and insurers processing them, clarifying that reasonable rental expenses are limited to periods when rental coverage wasn’t approved. Key provisions include adding a required form with fields for policy details, loss description, and legal owner information, while prohibiting insurers from using non-standard formats for this document. The bill does not alter coverage terms but standardizes documentation to improve clarity in the claims process.
HB 368 regulates earned wage access services, which allow workers to access part of their earned wages before payday. It requires providers to submit annual reports detailing revenue, transactions, consumer complaints, and fees, and prohibits false advertising about these services. The bill directly affects service providers (like apps or employers offering early wage access) and ensures transparency for consumers. Key provisions include mandatory public reporting by the Office of Financial Institutions and penalties for non-compliance, such as voiding contracts with consumers. The law amends existing statutes to establish these reporting and advertising standards.
HB 669 continues an existing excise tax on cigarettes by adding a new definition for "heated tobacco products" to the tax statute. The bill defines these products as tobacco-containing items that produce inhalable aerosol through electronic heating (without burning tobacco), excluding traditional cigarettes. This change directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling these specific heated tobacco products, subjecting them to the same excise tax as cigarettes. The bill modifies tax code section 47:842 to include this definition, ensuring heated tobacco products fall under the existing cigarette tax framework.
HB 665 modifies Louisiana's Angel Investor Tax Credit Program by reducing its funding by $1 million and changing how the credit is distributed. The bill directs the credit toward targeted business sectors and requires it to be paid out equally over two years instead of as a single lump sum. It affects angel investors who fund qualifying businesses in these targeted sectors, altering the program's payment structure and scope. The changes take effect for tax periods beginning January 1, 2025.
SB 231 amends Louisiana law by removing outdated references to specific legal provisions (R.S. 9:2800.27(H)) from existing civil procedure statutes. It does not create new policy or affect any individuals or entities, as it solely corrects redundant language in the law. The bill's purpose is procedural, streamlining the legal text without changing how medical expenses are handled in civil cases. This amendment was adopted by the Senate on May 20, 2025, and follows a series of committee steps. It has no direct impact on citizens, courts, or medical providers.
SB 61 requires insurers to provide consumers with a copy of the specific credit information they used when underwriting or setting rates for personal insurance policies (like auto or home insurance). This directly affects policyholders who apply for or renew personal insurance, giving them transparency into the credit data influencing their premiums. The key provision mandates that insurers must disclose this credit information upon initial application or renewal, rather than keeping it confidential. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate but does not change how credit data is used in rate calculations, only requiring disclosure to consumers.
SB 245 creates the "Transparent Responsible Use of State Tax-dollars (T.R.U.S.T.) Act" to require nonprofits and contractors receiving state funds to report financial information into a public database. It mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing spending by service type and investment amounts, with the division of administration submitting these reports by January 1 each year. The bill specifically excludes school governing authorities already reporting via the School Transparency Project Portal. This law directly affects organizations receiving state funding, aiming to increase transparency in how public dollars are spent.
HB 570 references existing requirements in R.S. 51:1773 regarding minors' use of applications, directing that developers comply with those provisions. The bill's amendments (amending grammar and terminology) do not introduce new policy changes but adjust the bill's language to align with the referenced law. The bill directly affects app developers by requiring adherence to established regulations for minors' application use. No specific new mechanisms or policy changes are described in the provided context beyond referencing existing law.
