Louisiana Bills

in committee · Louisiana · House May 20, 2025

HB 386: BANKS/BANKING: Establishes gold and silver as currency (OR INCREASE SG EX See Note)

HB 386 amends Louisiana law to expand what is recognized as legal tender. It clarifies that gold or silver coins, specie, or bullion recognized by any state or the U.S. government will continue to be accepted as legal tender. The bill's key provision adds a "gold-backed debit instrument" to the forms of legal tender. This instrument would allow users to convert gold held in a depository into regular currency for transactions, directly affecting individuals and businesses in the state.

in committee · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 214: INSURANCE COMMISSIONER: Provides for the appointment of the commissioner of insurance. (2/3 - CA4s20) (8/1/28)

SB 214 addresses the method for selecting the state's Commissioner of Insurance. This bill directly affects how the chief regulator of the insurance industry is chosen, by providing for their appointment. The proposed changes require a two-thirds vote, indicating a significant alteration to the existing process for filling this important position, possibly involving a constitutional amendment.

in committee · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 155: MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides for emergency vehicle equipment for licensed surgeons. (8/1/25)

Senate Bill 155 expands the definition of an "authorized emergency vehicle" to include privately owned vehicles used by specific trauma surgeons. This allows board-certified trauma surgeons specializing in complex surgeries, who are affiliated with Level I, II, or III trauma centers, to have their vehicles designated as emergency vehicles. Such designation requires authorization from a fire chief and must be renewed annually. The authority can be revoked or suspended if the surgeon fails to comply with all established rules and regulations.

in committee · Louisiana · House May 20, 2025

HB 186: TAX CREDITS: Authorizes a tax credit for certain employers of La. National Guard members and military reservists (EG -$5,000,000 GF RV See Note)

House Bill 186 authorizes a refundable Louisiana income tax credit for businesses that employ members of the Louisiana National Guard or U.S. military reserve components. Businesses can claim this credit for compensation paid to employees during inactive duty training or for a "reservist differential," which makes up the difference between an employee's civilian and military pay during active duty. The credit is capped at $5,000 per business and the total statewide credits are limited to $5 million annually, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If the credit exceeds a business's tax liability, they will receive a refund. This bill applies to tax periods starting January 1, 2026, and ends after December 31, 2031.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Louisiana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 105: EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY: Requires that schools utilize a nationally normed assessment instead of the LEAP test for purposes of school and district accountability. (gov sig) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Senate Bill 105 modifies Louisiana's education assessment program, requiring schools to use nationally normed assessments for school and district accountability. It mandates the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to implement standards-based tests in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, with achievement levels set by referencing national student scores. These tests will be administered from grades three through eleven. Fourth and eighth-grade students must still demonstrate proficiency in ELA and math to advance, with these proficiency levels also tied to national benchmarks. Additionally, BESE must investigate and report by early 2026 on nationally normed assessments suitable for federal accountability requirements.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Louisiana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 227: EMPLOYMENT: Prohibits certain services from being classified as employment. (1/1/26) (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

Senate Bill 227, a substitute bill, modifies state unemployment compensation laws affecting employers and separated employees. It extends the required timeframe for employers to submit notices of employee separation to the administrator from three to ten days, and mandates that these notices be electronically transmitted to the administrator. Additionally, the bill alters how certain unemployment benefits, specifically those paid following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are funded by removing the requirement for them to be recouped through a general social charge account that affects all employers.

in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2025

HB 606: TAX/SALES-USE, LOCAL-EXEM: Exempts prescription drugs and insulin from local sales and use taxes (EG DECREASE LF RV See Note)

HB 606 creates new mandatory exemptions from local sales and use taxes in Louisiana. This bill directly affects residents by eliminating local sales taxes on essential medical items. Specifically, it exempts all drugs prescribed by a physician, dentist, or other authorized prescriber. Additionally, both prescription and nonprescription insulin for personal use will no longer be subject to local sales and use taxes. These changes are set to take effect for taxable periods beginning on or after August 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Louisiana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 172: PROPERTY INSURANCE: Provides relative to property insurance. (8/1/25)

Senate Bill 172 revises Louisiana's property insurance rate regulations, directly impacting insurance companies and policyholders. The bill defines "excessive" and "unreasonably high" rates and establishes criteria for the insurance commissioner to determine if a market is competitive or noncompetitive. In competitive markets, rates must not be inadequate or unfairly discriminatory, while in noncompetitive markets, they also cannot be excessive. The commissioner is empowered to disapprove rates that do not meet these standards and must regularly monitor market competition, with noncompetitive market rulings expiring after one year.

in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2025

HB 78: ENERGY: Authorizes the governing authority of Allen Parish to determine whether Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells may be permitted within the parish

HB 78 authorizes the governing authority of Allen Parish to determine whether Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells may be permitted within its boundaries. This bill grants the local government the power to make this decision through a resolution or ordinance. It also establishes that Class VI injection wells cannot be permitted in any parish where they are prohibited through a local option procedure. A copy of Allen Parish's decision must be provided to the relevant department.

in committee · Louisiana · House May 15, 2025

HB 583: ENERGY: Establishes state policy regarding affordable, reliable energy and grid resilience (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 583 establishes state policy for affordable, reliable, and clean energy security in Louisiana. It directs the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission to prioritize domestically sourced fuels and minimize reliance on foreign nations for critical energy materials. The bill defines "reliable" energy sources as dispatchable and inclusive of hydrocarbons, while "green energy" includes nuclear reactors, natural gas, and hydrocarbons that meet federal air quality standards. This definition of "green energy" applies to all state programs that fund such initiatives, aiming to deliver cost savings to residential and commercial customers.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Louisiana · House May 15, 2025

HB 568: ENERGY/CONSERVATION: Establishes public safety and accountability procedures applicable to carbon capture and storage projects (OR SEE FISC NOTE SD RV)

HB 568 establishes new safety and accountability procedures for owners and operators of carbon dioxide storage projects (Class VI wells). The bill requires these operators to report equipment malfunctions that could lead to a carbon dioxide release, or any actual release, within 24 hours, detailing the incident's location, risks, and mitigation efforts. These reports must then be disclosed to emergency responders, local officials, and the general public within 48 hours, and published on the department's website. The legislation also increases civil penalties for underground injection control violations and imposes criminal penalties for willful or knowing failures to report or maintain required records.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Louisiana · House May 15, 2025

HB 602: MINERALS: Provides relative to remediation of oilfield and exploration and production sites

House Bill 602 modifies the process for evaluating and cleaning up environmental damage at oilfield and exploration and production sites, directly affecting parties involved in such lawsuits and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. When environmental damage is determined, the responsible party must propose a remediation plan, with other parties able to submit alternatives. The Department reviews these plans, applying regulatory standards like the Risk Evaluation and Corrective Action Program (RECAP) to approve the "most feasible plan." The bill also clarifies that the Department is not required to obtain landowner consent to apply certain exceptions, including RECAP, and courts will adopt the Department's approved plan unless it is proven arbitrary and capricious and another plan is more feasible.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results