Judiciary B

HB 75 modifies Louisiana's gaming regulations to set new limits on how casinos can deduct promotional play (free gaming credits or comps) from their taxable revenue. It establishes two limits: a fixed annual cap of $5 million for promotional play deductions, or a rising percentage of taxable revenue (4% starting 2027, 7% in 2028, 10% after 2029), whichever is greater. This directly affects licensed casino operators in Louisiana by restricting how much they can offset their taxable income through promotional activities. The bill updates definitions in Sections 27:44 and 27:205 to implement these deduction rules, effective from 2027 onward.

HB 302 prohibits new permits for businesses to sell vapor products within 300 feet of school property lines. It directly affects businesses seeking to open or operate vapor product sales near schools, requiring them to be at least 300 feet away. The bill specifies measurement can be either by sidewalk path (in areas with sidewalks) or straight line, with the straight-line method applying only to new permits issued after its adoption. This policy change restricts where new vapor product businesses can operate near schools but does not affect existing businesses.

HB 623 establishes a three-tier system for Louisiana's tobacco and vapor product industry, separating manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers into distinct roles with strict ownership and transaction rules. It prohibits manufacturers from holding retail or wholesale permits, wholesalers from being manufacturers or holding retail permits, and retailers from buying directly from manufacturers or unauthorized sources. The bill requires all products to be sold from manufacturers to permitted wholesalers, bans direct shipments to retailers or consumers, and mandates a digital tracking system for all product transfers to record details like product ID, quantity, and tax status. These changes directly affect all businesses selling tobacco or vapor products in Louisiana, requiring new compliance with permit rules and tracking requirements.

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

This bill continues the Senior Task Force on Fraud Prevention to investigate scams targeting elderly residents of Louisiana. It expands the task force's membership to include representatives from federal prosecutors, the banking industry, and the Office of Elderly Affairs. The group must meet starting in August 2026 and submit a final report of findings and recommendations by February 2027.