HB 751 requires Louisiana insurance companies and agents to provide applicants with a clear, standalone disclosure notice before they sign up for term life insurance. The notice must explain key details in plain language, including the policy's coverage amount, term length, total cost (including all payments over the term), and what happens when the term ends (like renewal options or coverage termination). Applicants must sign and initial the notice, which insurers must keep for five years, and failure to provide it allows applicants to cancel within 30 days for a full refund. Violations are considered unfair trade practices, potentially leading to fines or license suspension for insurers or agents.
HB 829 creates the Louisiana Minority Business Development Fund to provide low-interest loans to qualifying minority-owned small businesses. It directly affects businesses majority-owned by African American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific, Native American, or women-owned entities (with ≤50 employees, ≤$5M annual revenue, and ≥12 months in operation). The fund operates as a revolving loan program with fixed interest rates (3-5%) and loan limits up to $500,000, prioritizing flexible collateral and technical assistance. Repayments, state appropriations, and grants replenish the fund, ensuring long-term capital access without annual budget reversion.
HB 372 requires Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles to create public education materials about using roundabouts safely. The bill directs the office to develop written guides, brochures, online resources, and public service announcements for drivers. It directly affects Louisiana drivers by providing clear information on navigating roundabouts, which are designed to improve traffic safety. The key mechanism is the mandated creation and distribution of these educational resources, without changing road infrastructure or driver licensing requirements.
HB 814, the Louisiana Community Investment Fairness Act (LA-CIFA), requires large state-chartered banks and credit unions (with $100M+ assets) to undergo regular examinations assessing their lending and investments in low-income and minority neighborhoods. The law mandates that institutions demonstrate fair community investment performance compared to their own historical data and peer institutions, with ratings like "Needs to Improve" or "Substantial Noncompliance" assigned based on findings. These ratings must be publicly disclosed by both the state regulator and the institutions themselves, and poor ratings can trigger corrective action plans or influence decisions on branch expansions, mergers, or charter changes. The bill directly affects over 100 state-chartered financial institutions operating in Louisiana, aiming to address disparities in credit access historically linked to practices like redlining.
HB 913 protects eligible adults (likely those with diminished capacity) from financial exploitation by requiring Louisiana financial institutions (banks, credit unions, etc.) to implement specific safeguards. Key provisions include: designating "trusted contact persons" (chosen by the adult), mandating twice-yearly staff training on recognizing fraud (like tech support scams), and allowing institutions to delay suspicious transactions. Institutions must notify trusted contacts if exploitation is suspected and follow clear procedures for extending transaction delays up to 25 business days. The bill focuses on concrete institutional actions rather than outcomes, defining exploitation and granting immunity to institutions acting in good faith.
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.
SB 360 establishes a pilot program providing workforce training and education to help participants achieve independence, initially serving specific Louisiana parishes. The bill allows the program to expand to additional areas after an evaluation using performance data and participant feedback. Expansion would require collaboration with the program's advisory board and local human service districts. The initiative focuses on equipping participants with employment skills through structured training and education.
HB 650 creates a rebate for businesses that paid local inventory taxes but are ineligible for an existing state tax credit (R.S. 47:6006). It authorizes a rebate equal to the percentage used in the existing credit, based on the amount of local inventory taxes paid to parishes or cities in the prior year. Businesses must apply by June 30th of the following year with required documentation, but cannot claim this rebate if they already received other state tax benefits for the same taxes. The rebate is funded from current state tax collections and applies only to taxes paid after December 31, 2025, becoming effective January 1, 2027.
HB 869 requires Louisiana health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved injectable drugs for lowering glucose levels or treating obesity (BMI ≥30) when prescribed for prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity. It applies to all new or renewed health plans starting January 1, 2026, with existing plans converting by January 1, 2027. Coverage must include these drugs if they're on the insurer's formulary, medically necessary, and prescribed by a healthcare provider. This directly affects Louisiana residents diagnosed with qualifying conditions who rely on these medications. The bill does not mandate coverage for all weight loss drugs, only those approved for specific medical uses.
SB 352 amends Louisiana law to clarify toll collection and enforcement for state-owned toll facilities. It requires vehicle owners to pay tolls, imposing a $25 administrative fee (or up to 2% of the toll cost, whichever is lower) for unpaid tolls, in addition to late charges. The registered owner is liable for payment regardless of who was driving the vehicle, unless the vehicle was reported stolen within 48 hours. This bill directly affects drivers using Louisiana's state toll roads and updates enforcement procedures for unpaid tolls.
HB 785 establishes a formal Animal Rehabilitation Program within Louisiana's Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The bill requires the department to oversee housing, treatment, and care of injured or orphaned native Louisiana wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the wild. It mandates the commissioner to collaborate with the state veterinarian to develop program rules and procedures. This bill, which is pending constitutional amendment approval, would directly affect wildlife rehabilitation facilities and native animal care operations across the state. The program cannot take effect until a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.
HB 863 requires Louisiana wildlife enforcement agents to obtain a search warrant before inspecting business records, vehicles, or storage facilities related to wildlife or fish products, directly affecting businesses that sell or handle these items (like restaurants, markets, and cold storage). The bill amends existing law to prohibit warrantless inspections, except for routine checks at commercial venues like public markets or licensed fish retailers, which remain exempt. It shifts the standard from the current "probable cause" threshold to a warrant requirement for most inspections, aiming to align wildlife enforcement with broader Fourth Amendment protections. The change applies to state wildlife agents and businesses operating under Louisiana's wildlife and fisheries regulations.
