ADVERTISING: Provides relative to misleading solicitations by nongovernment entities (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)
HB 853 prevents private companies from misleading consumers with solicitations that mimic government communications. It bans using fake government seals, references to state laws, or phrases like "final notice" to trick people into thinking a bill is from the government. Businesses must include clear disclaimers stating the offer isn’t government-related and explain subscription terms upfront. Violators face $1,000 fines per violation, plus triple damages for consumers harmed. The law directly affects all non-government businesses sending customer solicitations in Louisiana.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB853 Original
→
HB853 Act 570
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized into Act No. 570, removing the original summary digest and formatting markers while making minor grammatical corrections to the text. The core policy regarding misleading solicitations by non-government entities remains substantively unchanged, though the final version adds specific exemptions for banks, insurers, and licensed motor vehicle dealers.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by adding specific exemptions for regulated industries (banks, insurers, and motor vehicle dealers) that were not explicitly excluded in the original draft.
TECHNICAL
Removed the original summary digest, abstract, and legislative service markings which are not part of the final law.
REQUIREMENT
Corrected minor grammatical errors in the bill's purpose statement and criteria lists (e.g., changing 'provides' to 'provide' and 'automatic renewals' to 'automatic renewal').
ELIGIBILITY
Added a new subsection explicitly exempting banks, trust companies, insurers, and licensed motor vehicle dealers from the misleading solicitation rules.
ENFORCEMENT
Clarified that civil damages for violations must be calculated according to the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2026 · House Mar 18, 2026
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 40
May 12, 2026
D
Democratic12
66% Yea
R
Republican28
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
22
Key actions
5
Committee
5
May 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
lower
May 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Committee
Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (15-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Commerce.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dixon McMakin
RRepublican
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