HB 75 modifies Louisiana's gaming regulations to set new limits on how casinos can deduct promotional play (free gaming credits or comps) from their taxable revenue. It establishes two limits: a fixed annual cap of $5 million for promotional play deductions, or a rising percentage of taxable revenue (4% starting 2027, 7% in 2028, 10% after 2029), whichever is greater. This directly affects licensed casino operators in Louisiana by restricting how much they can offset their taxable income through promotional activities. The bill updates definitions in Sections 27:44 and 27:205 to implement these deduction rules, effective from 2027 onward.
HB 1201 modifies the compensation rules for statewide elected officials and legislators by adjusting the allowance for renting or leasing a residence in the state capital. The bill increases the maximum reimbursement amount from five hundred dollars to five hundred thousand dollars, significantly expanding the financial support available to these officials for housing expenses. These changes directly affect the budget allocations for public officials and alter the specific terms under which they may receive housing funds while serving.
This bill creates the Faubourg Nouveau Marigny Improvement District in New Orleans, establishing a new local organization to manage neighborhood improvements in that specific area. The district will be governed by a five-person board consisting of representatives from the existing neighborhood association and three residents elected by district voters, who will oversee beautification projects, infrastructure upgrades, and community events. Funding for these initiatives will come from a property fee collected from landowners within the district, with amounts capped at $100 per year for most residential and commercial parcels, $500 for unimproved land, and subject to voter approval before collection begins. The district operates as a political subdivision of the state with powers to enter contracts, purchase property, and collaborate with city agencies, while its funds must be used exclusively for district benefits and remain subject to state audit requirements.
HB 481 sets cost limits for publishing official government notices and proceedings in Louisiana. It requires parishes, municipalities, and school boards to contract with printers for these publications, capping rates at $0.03 per character or $2.76 per square inch for tables (smaller parishes) and $0.03 per character or $3.96 per square inch (larger parishes with cities over 100,000 residents). The bill establishes specific pricing rules based on notice format and publication size, with rates prorated for non-standard layouts. This directly affects local government entities responsible for publishing public notices and official records.
This resolution requested that the Louisiana Department of Health provide more detailed breakdowns of Medicaid spending in its monthly budget reports, specifically asking for separate data on managed care payments, pharmacy rebates, and interagency transfers. The bill aimed to increase transparency for lawmakers and auditors by requiring the department to disaggregate large, currently combined financial categories without needing new data collection or funding. Although the measure sought to enhance oversight of the state's largest budget program, it was rejected by the House of Representatives with a vote of 7 to 89.
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 637 adjusts oilfield site restoration fees for certain low-production wells in Louisiana. It sets reduced fees at 50% for oil from incapable wells, 25% for oil from stripper wells, 40% for gas from low-pressure wells, and 17.5% for gas from incapable gas wells - proportionally aligning with existing reduced severance tax rates. The bill directly affects oil and gas producers operating these specific well types, as defined under Louisiana law (R.S. 47:633). The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 217 allows Louisiana parishes to optionally offer property tax exemptions for blighted or derelict properties that have been rehabilitated. If a parish adopts this exemption, it would provide up to 75% tax relief on residential properties for up to 20 years, or up to 25% relief on adjacent unimproved land for up to 10 years, subject to specific rehabilitation standards. Parishes must establish application processes, approval criteria, and revocation rules for property owners who hold title to qualifying rehabilitated properties. The exemption applies only to properties meeting the bill's definitions of "blighted" (court-declared public nuisance) or "derelict" (structurally unsafe, fire hazards, or dangerous conditions). The policy would take effect for tax years starting January 1, 2027, pending a constitutional amendment approval.
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 296 repeals Louisiana’s Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act (specifically R.S. 15:1199.1-1199.16 and R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(a)). This bill removes legal requirements for the advisory council, data collection on inmate workforce programs, and references to the Reentry Advisory Council in statutes governing work release programs (e.g., R.S. 15:827, 1113) and the Louisiana Work Opportunity Tax Credit (R.S. 47:287.750). It directly affects correctional workforce development programs, state agencies managing inmate work programs, and businesses participating in work release initiatives. The repeal eliminates the council’s role and related administrative criteria, though work release programs themselves remain referenced under other statutes.
