HB 922 prevents Louisiana utilities from raising rates for residential customers due to new electricity demands from large data centers. It requires utilities to charge data centers directly for all associated costs (like new power plants or transmission lines) through separate contracts or rate classes, ensuring households do not bear these expenses. The Public Service Commission must create rules mandating 15-year contracts with data centers, prohibiting cross-subsidization, and requiring independent reviews of utility investments. The bill applies to new data center projects starting from its effective date.
HB 641 sets funding rules for the Twenty-Second Judicial District's district attorney's office in Louisiana. It establishes that assistant district attorneys (ADAs) will receive an extra $8,000 annually per year (paid by St. Tammany and Washington parishes at $4,000 each), in addition to state salaries, with total ADA salary budgets protected from cuts after six months. The bill also creates a dedicated operating budget for the district attorney's office, covering staff salaries (including ADAs), office supplies, equipment, training, and matching federal grants, all funded by the parishes. It repeals prior sections governing these finances and requires annual budgeting by the parishes to cover these costs.
HB 187 repeals Louisiana's existing law (R.S. 13:981) that established a dedicated pool of 30 court reporters employed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The bill removes provisions requiring the Supreme Court to maintain this pool, including rules for geographical assignment, $15,000 annual salaries for pool reporters, and travel expense limits. It directly affects the Supreme Court's administrative structure for court reporting services, eliminating the specific pool system. The repeal does not create new requirements but removes the current statutory framework for this employment model. This is a procedural repeal of an existing administrative mechanism, not a new policy.
HB 614 creates a state sales tax rebate for businesses that pay sales tax on lodging and meals for workers performing disaster or emergency response work during a declared state disaster. It directly affects qualifying businesses deploying personnel to disaster sites, allowing them to reclaim the actual sales tax paid on these purchases. To claim the rebate, businesses must apply to the Department of Revenue with proof of tax paid, and the rebate expires on January 1, 2032. The bill provides clear eligibility rules and application procedures without specifying a rebate amount or percentage.
HB 660 increases the state-paid annual salary for assistant district attorneys in Louisiana to $50,500 starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects all assistant district attorneys whose salaries are funded by the state (not local parishes), including those in Orleans Parish. The bill specifies exact salary amounts on set dates (e.g., $50,000 effective 2021, $50,500 effective 2026) and requires separate state appropriations to fund these increases. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no new program or policy beyond the specified pay rates.
HB 643 legalizes the purchase of Louisiana lottery tickets via the internet. It directly affects Louisiana residents aged 21+ who are physically within the state, requiring age and location verification for online purchases. The bill establishes new definitions for "internet lottery" and its revenue, mandates the Lottery Corporation to implement verification rules, and requires the corporation to transfer at least 25% of internet lottery gross revenues annually to the state treasury after the first year of operation. These provisions aim to regulate online sales while directing revenue to state funds.
HB 239 sets a price cap for the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority when selling property acquired with public funds. Specifically, it limits sales to nonprofits or local governments for public use or redevelopment areas to no more than 110% of the original public acquisition cost. This directly affects the Redevelopment Authority, nonprofits, and local government entities purchasing such property. The bill modifies existing law to ensure property sold for public purposes doesn't exceed this 110% threshold, overriding other provisions that might allow higher prices.
HB 386 clarifies funding rules for Louisiana charter schools by requiring that Type 1, 3, 3B (non-LEA), and Type 4 charter schools receive per-pupil funding based on the state's minimum foundation program, adjusted for student needs. The bill allows these schools to operate as their own local education agency (LEA) for funding purposes with local school board approval, while Type 2 and 5 charter schools are automatically treated as the LEA. It also authorizes the state to withhold 0.25% of certain fees from charter schools to cover administrative costs for financial oversight. This affects all Louisiana charter schools receiving state funding and standardizes their financial relationship with local districts.
SB 194 requires Louisiana state agencies to verify the U.S. citizenship or "satisfactory immigration status" of applicants for Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits like housing or food assistance. If verification fails after a single reasonable opportunity period, the state must refer the applicant's information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate benefits. The bill specifies that "satisfactory immigration status" includes lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those under Compact of Free Association agreements. Agencies must also provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance and submit annual reports to legislators on enforcement actions. This bill directly affects individuals applying for federal or state public benefits who cannot prove citizenship or qualifying immigration status.
HB 165 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would require Louisiana voters to approve changing the state constitution to create a new lottery game specifically dedicated to funding benefits for Louisiana resident military veterans and their families. If passed, the amendment would direct annual appropriations from the Lottery Proceeds Fund - using revenue generated exclusively from this new game - to support veterans' programs, while also limiting funds for problem-gambling services to $500,000 annually. The bill does not alter existing lottery proceeds but mandates a new dedicated funding stream for veterans through a separate lottery game. Voters will decide on this amendment in the November 2026 statewide election. This is a procedural constitutional change requiring voter approval, not an immediate policy implementation.
