SB 173 sets reimbursement rates that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) must pay to pharmacies for medications. It directly affects pharmacies receiving payments from PBMs and requires PBMs to follow these specified rates. The bill includes an exemption, stating the Office of Group Benefits is not subject to these rate requirements.
HB 573 is a procedural bill that makes technical amendments to existing law, primarily adjusting reference numbers and deadlines in related statutes. It does not create new policy requirements or directly affect any group; instead, it corrects numbering (e.g., changing "(11)" to "(10)") and updates dates (e.g., shifting deadlines from 2025-2026 to 2026-2027). The bill also includes a minor budget adjustment note ($4,575,500 GF EX) but does not alter substantive data collection or reporting obligations. It is currently pending before the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
HB 22 allows specific parishes in Louisiana to hold local elections on whether to permit video draw poker operations. It expands the original focus on Concordia Parish to include 22 parishes (listed in the bill), such as Beauregard, Bossier, and Caddo. The bill requires parishes where video poker is not already legal to hold a vote, while exempting those where it is already permitted. If approved, these parishes could authorize video poker devices through a local election process.
This bill amends Louisiana law to require that judicial salary increases for fiscal years 2020 and 2024 be funded directly by the judiciary, not by state general funds. It updates statute R.S. 13:50(3)(b) to clarify that these specific increases - based on the Judicial Compensation Commission's recommendations - must come from the judicial compensation fund. The change applies to judges' salaries as determined by the Commission's reports, including the referenced 2018 report. This is a technical adjustment to funding responsibilities, not a new policy change.
HB 515 adjusts the state's contribution toward health insurance premiums for eligible state retirees. It specifically applies to state employees who retire after January 1, 2026, and have at least 25 years of full-time service, including 15-20 years in the state's group health insurance program. The bill establishes tiered state contribution rates: 56% for 15-16 years of program participation up to 70% for 19-20 years, whichever is higher. These changes take effect for retirees qualifying under these criteria after 2026, with no impact on retirees covered before that date.
HB 627 establishes a temporary adult-use cannabis pilot program in Louisiana, allowing existing medical marijuana retailers and cultivators to sell cannabis to adults aged 21+ in specific regions. The program uses Louisiana's current medical marijuana tracking system (LMMTS) for reporting and restricts participation to businesses already licensed for medical marijuana under existing law. It requires businesses to formally apply 90 days before the program begins and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. The pilot aims to test implementation logistics, gather data, and evaluate potential future permanent legalization, but does not authorize new licenses or expand beyond current medical marijuana infrastructure. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet become law.
HB 335 creates a dedicated state fund to address deferred maintenance and capital improvements at Louisiana's public colleges and universities. It mandates $100 million annually from the state treasury starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 for four years, plus additional sources like bond proceeds, legislative appropriations, and donations. Funds in the account must be used exclusively for repairing aging facilities and funding new infrastructure projects at these institutions. Unspent funds carry over annually, and the money is invested like general state funds, with interest added back to the account. This bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in Louisiana by providing guaranteed, dedicated funding for facility upgrades.
HB 419 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally exposing others to a self-spreading pathogen (like a contagious virus or bacteria that transmits easily between people). It moves this provision from an existing section of the criminal code (R.S. 14:43.8) to a new section (R.S. 14:107.6) under "offenses affecting general peace and order." This bill directly affects individuals who deliberately release such pathogens in public settings, making it a criminal act punishable under state law. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
SB 148 amends existing law regarding motions for partial summary judgment in civil cases. It clarifies that a party winning such a motion is automatically awarded court costs and attorney fees. The bill also specifies that if a plaintiff dismisses a claim or the parties agree to a settlement before a hearing, the court cannot award fees or costs for that dismissed portion. This technical amendment affects civil litigants and courts handling pre-trial motions, streamlining fee awards without creating new legal standards.
HB 244 amends electronic monitoring procedures for offenders under court supervision. It requires monitoring providers to send enrollment details (including offender address and conditions) to courts and prosecutors within 24 hours, and to report violations like exclusion zone entries or equipment tampering within one day. The bill also mandates a statewide feasibility study to evaluate developing a centralized registry tracking monitored individuals, violation rates, and jurisdictional data. These changes directly affect offenders on electronic monitoring, courts, prosecutors, and monitoring service providers. The bill includes $3,849,837 in funding for implementation.
HB 597 creates specialized "speedy tort claims divisions" within Louisiana district courts to handle personal injury and property damage claims under $50,000 (excluding interest, fees, or penalties). These divisions will process cases faster with reduced court costs (half the standard fee) and must transfer cases exceeding $50,000 or involving excluded matters like divorce, property title disputes, class actions, or claims against government entities. The bill limits these divisions to civil claims where the primary demand is under $50,000, requiring judges to transfer cases that exceed this threshold or fall under excluded categories. It also establishes rules for magistrate judges, procedural guidelines, and medical reimbursement schedules specific to these claims.
HB 9 is a procedural bill that does not create new tax rules itself but instead sets a condition for when another bill will take effect. It specifies that the sales and use tax on certain services will only become operative if a separate, related bill is passed and signed into law. Because this bill relies on future legislation to activate its provisions, it does not directly affect taxpayers or businesses at this time.
