HB 810 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the types of projects funded by Louisiana's state infrastructure bank. It would allow public funds invested in the bank to support water, energy, resilience, and hazard mitigation projects - beyond the current restriction to transportation projects. This change requires voter approval in the 2026 election and modifies Article VII, Section 14(B) of the Louisiana Constitution to explicitly include these new project categories. The amendment directly affects how the state allocates infrastructure funding for community and environmental projects.
HB 585, the Discount Retailer Workforce Safety and Retention Act, requires Louisiana small box discount retailers (stores with 5,000-10,000 sq ft selling discounted goods to consumers) employing 15+ workers to create written safety plans addressing workplace violence risks. The law mandates risk assessments for factors like late shifts, cash handling, and uncontrolled access, and requires specific safety measures such as improved lighting, drop safes, and panic buttons after two violent incidents at a location within a year. It prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report violence or contact law enforcement during incidents. Employees can seek civil remedies, including attorney fees, for violations within one year of the incident. The bill directly affects retail employers meeting the size and type criteria, focusing on concrete safety protocols rather than broader policy changes.
HB 645 requires Louisiana high school athletic associations to include a governor-appointed member, a House-appointed member (by the speaker), and a Senate-appointed member (by the president) as voting members on their governing boards. Schools receiving state funds - both public and nonpublic - would be prohibited from joining or competing in associations that do not meet this requirement. The bill directly affects all Louisiana schools participating in state-funded interscholastic athletics by tying their eligibility to board composition. It changes participation rules by mandating specific legislative and executive representation on athletic association governing bodies.
HB 402 modifies Louisiana's Habitual Offender Law to change sentencing for individuals convicted of three felonies classified as "crimes of violence" under state law, but without actual physical violence occurring during the offenses. It sets a new sentencing range: a fixed prison term of at least half the longest possible sentence for the third offense, but no more than twice the sentence for a first-time felony conviction. This applies to people already serving sentences for such offenses prior to June 15, 2001, meaning their sentences could be adjusted under this law. The bill specifically targets third felony convictions where the crimes meet the legal definition of "crime of violence" without involving actual physical force against people or property.
HB 932 creates the Louisiana Commercial Trucking Insurance Market Reform Act, requiring captive insurers (companies that own their own insurance) to pay 3% of premiums they retain from Louisiana trucking risks into a new Market Access Fund. This fund will help small trucking companies (defined as owning fewer than 25 vehicles) access affordable insurance through a group purchasing pool, while also setting minimum financial reserves for captive insurers to ensure claims can be paid. The bill mandates clear disclosure of insurance coverage details in accident claims and requires captive insurers to contribute annually by March 31, with penalties for non-payment including suspension of operating authority. These provisions directly affect Louisiana-domiciled commercial trucking companies and captive insurers operating in the state.
HB 792 requires Louisiana state correctional facilities to implement standardized screening for HIV and hepatitis C virus at inmate intake or within 72 hours of incarceration. It mandates that inmates may decline screening without penalty, and all results remain confidential for medical purposes only. Parish jails may participate in the program but must receive legislative funding for reimbursement of screening costs, with the state covering treatment expenses through existing state or federal programs. The bill also establishes annual reporting requirements for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to track screening rates, positive cases, treatment access, and fiscal impacts.
HB 421 regulates the use of automated decision systems (ADS) in employment, requiring employers to notify workers and job applicants when such systems (like AI tools) make decisions affecting jobs. Employers must provide clear written notice at least 30 days before deployment, explaining what data the system uses, how it works, and who created it - especially for hiring decisions. The bill prohibits using ADS for certain decisions without notice, bans retaliation against workers who challenge ADS outcomes, and gives workers a right to appeal decisions. It directly affects employers (including government entities) and workers in Louisiana, with definitions covering all employment-related actions like hiring, promotion, and scheduling. The law focuses on transparency and worker protections without specifying enforcement details.
HB 678 allows Louisiana students who qualified for a TOPS scholarship but completed their undergraduate degree at an out-of-state college to use unused TOPS funds for medical or dental school in Louisiana. Students must sign a repayment agreement for the unused amount plus interest, but are exempt from repayment if they complete a residency program or practice medicine/dentistry full-time in Louisiana for three consecutive years after residency. The bill limits unused funds to eight semesters or equivalent and caps payments at the tuition cost of Louisiana’s highest-cost public university. It requires the Board of Regents to establish rules for repayment collection and exceptions.
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.
SB 368 requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to report price increases for prescription drugs that exceed annual changes in the Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs, or when introducing new specialty drugs. Manufacturers must provide detailed cost explanations, including production costs, research and development expenses, and marketing costs. The Louisiana Department of Insurance and Department of Health will make this information publicly accessible online and require annual reports tracking drug pricing trends and the top 25 costliest drugs. The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance and allows state agencies to audit reporting entities. (Note: This bill is currently pending and not yet enacted.)
HB 536, the "School Infrastructure Safety and Emergency Coordination Act," requires new freestanding wireless communication towers within 1,000 feet of school property to maintain a setback equal to at least 110% of the tower’s height. It mandates that applicants first seek to place antennas on existing structures (like utility poles) before building new towers, and requires conditional use permits based on safety factors like emergency access and structural integrity. The bill affects wireless providers constructing new towers near schools and obligates them to share emergency contact info and coordinate disaster planning with school districts. It explicitly excludes regulation of radio frequencies or service provision, ensuring compliance with federal law.
HB 703 requires Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development to provide advance notice to residents before closing roads. Specifically, the department must post the closure online and mail written notice to addresses within 500 feet of the affected road, unless the closure is due to an emergency like a traffic collision, medical emergency, or serious road hazard. This bill directly affects residents living near planned road closures caused by maintenance, construction, or weather conditions. The key change is mandating both online and physical mail notifications to ensure nearby residents are informed before closures take effect.
