SB 108 modifies Louisiana civil procedure to limit recoverable medical expenses in personal injury cases. It states claimants can only recover the actual amount paid to medical providers (not the full billed amount) plus their cost-sharing, with a limited exception for the difference. The bill also requires a $4,000 cash deposit for jury trials in cases between $10,000 and $50,000 for injury claims, and prohibits juries from hearing about insurance payments - only the billed amount is disclosed during trials. These changes apply only to lawsuits filed after the bill’s effective date.
SB 152 modifies sentencing guidelines for defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking. The bill removes references to "psychological abuse" from the qualifying conditions, narrowing the scope to only these three specific victimization types. This change affects criminal sentencing decisions in cases where a defendant has experienced one of these severe crimes. The legislation streamlines the legal criteria for judges to consider when determining sentences, without creating new programs or penalties. It focuses on clarifying which victim experiences trigger special sentencing considerations under existing law.
HB 332 increases the required campaign-free zone radius around polling places from one mile to three miles. It also explicitly includes designated parking lots attached to polling places within this zone. The bill directly affects campaign activities, prohibiting solicitation or campaigning within the expanded three-mile radius during voting hours. This change aims to reduce potential voter intimidation or interference near polling locations. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
SB 169 expands eligibility for a tax credit on local inventory taxes to include farmers, fruitgrowers, and cooperative associations organized for marketing members' products. It allows these groups to claim the credit even if it exceeds their tax liability, providing for refunds or carry-forward of unused credits to future tax years. The bill modifies existing tax code (R.S. 47:6006(A)(4)) to clarify these provisions. This change applies to taxable periods beginning January 1, 2025.
SB 222 requires Louisiana insurers to offer a minimum 20% discount to homeowners enrolled in the state's Fortify Homes Program, which helps residents strengthen properties against storms. The bill directly affects participating homeowners (who receive the discount) and insurers (who must provide it). Key provisions include a mandatory 20% discount, an appeals process for insurers unable to meet the rate (requiring them to submit proof to the commissioner), and a hearing option for affected parties if the commissioner rejects a proposed discount. The law aims to reduce insurance costs for participants in the Fortify Homes Program through enforceable rate reductions.
SB 229 requires Louisiana state institutions (like universities) to report gifts valued at $25,000 or more from foreign governments, foreign adversaries, or foreign sources. Institutions must submit annual reports by January 31 and July 31 detailing gifts received during the prior six months, including those from affiliated organizations. The Board of Regents will audit a random sample of reported gifts each year to ensure compliance, and institutions failing to report face civil penalties equal to 105% of the undisclosed gift amount. The law takes effect for gifts received after August 1, 2026, with exceptions for gifts awarded before that date.
SB 206 delays the state's scheduled minimum wage increases by one year for specific years (2025, 2027, and 2029). The bill amends the current schedule to move these increases to 2026, 2028, and 2030, respectively. This directly affects low-wage workers and employers subject to the state's minimum wage law. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations after being introduced on April 14, 2025. It does not change the overall wage increase amounts or timelines beyond the specified year adjustments.
HB 429 would expand state employment discrimination protections to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on both gender identity and sexual orientation. This bill directly affects workers and employers in the state by requiring businesses to comply with these expanded protections in hiring, promotion, and other employment practices. Key provisions include amending existing law to include "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" as protected characteristics, clarifying that discrimination based on "actual or perceived" status is prohibited. The bill's amendments primarily adjust technical wording (e.g., changing "designated" to "recorded" and refining language around "perceived" discrimination) without altering the core policy. It is currently pending in the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.
HB 315 updates Louisiana's rules for charitable gaming operations, affecting nonprofits running bingo, keno, and pull-tabs. It allows licensed charities to operate consecutive 8-hour sessions (totaling 24 hours daily), purchase video bingo machines from non-charitable distributors, and use secure pull-tab dispensing/redemption terminals. The bill requires charities to obtain terminals from licensed non-charitable distributors and mandates secure coding for pull-tabs to prevent fraud. New provisions also permit charities with existing licenses to expand into specific parishes like Rapides and Natchitoches. These changes streamline operations while adding safety and security requirements for gaming equipment.
HB 480 is a technical correction bill that updates the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission's description in existing law. It removes all references to "Bossier Parish" from the bill text, ensuring the Commission's authority is correctly described as applying only to Caddo Parish. The bill does not change any tax policies or create new obligations - the "payment in lieu of taxes" program remains unchanged. This is a routine wording fix with no substantive policy impact on the Port Commission or affected taxpayers.
HB 187 reduces the excise tax rate on consumable hemp products from 15% to 7%, directly affecting businesses that manufacture or sell these products. The bill's key provision lowers the tax rate, with the bill's revenue note estimating this change will generate approximately $3.6 million in additional state revenue. This tax adjustment applies specifically to hemp products intended for consumption, such as edibles or vape products, and is currently pending referral to the Ways and Means committee. The change represents a significant reduction in the tax burden for affected businesses.
HB 536 is a procedural bill that corrects minor formatting errors in existing law regarding judicial elections for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal's first district. It updates section references from "Section One" to "section one" (and similarly for Sections Two and Three) to standardize capitalization in the legal text. The bill does not change voting rules, funding, or affect any specific individuals or groups. It is a technical correction to improve clarity in the current statute, with no new policy provisions. The bill has been referred to committee but has not yet been voted on.
