SENATE floor amendment set 1703 [LINK] clarify supervision requirements for young children, allowing exceptions during special circumstances, restroom visits by children five and older without staff, and immediate cleaning after toileting accidents. They also require state agencies, especially the Department of Children and Family Services, to quickly notify the child ombudsman of child deaths under their care or previously reported for abuse or neglect, and make various technical wording adjustments.

SENATE floor amendments technical

SENATE committee amendments [LINK] refine language in Louisiana’s child abuse registry law by replacing “placement” with “recordation,” clarifying that provisions apply to names entered on or after August 1, 2018 or 2025, and adjusting agency responsibilities for investigations based on the victim-perpetrator relationship and remove redundant paragraphs.

Aims to enhance child protection in Louisiana educational settings. Key points:

• Prohibits employment or licensing of individuals listed on the state abuse registry in child care or school positions.
• Requires licensure for all nonpublic prekindergarten programs and establishes uniform safety standards.
• Mandates annual child abuse reporting training for educators and child care providers.
• Requires immediate reporting and prompt law enforcement investigation of suspected sexual abuse in schools.
• Allows parents of victims to seek damages, including medical expenses and tuition reimbursement.

Overall, the bill strengthens child welfare and safety measures in educational environments.

Proposes an individual income tax exemption for grants received from the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program on or after January 1, 2025. This program offers $10,000 grants to retrofit roofs of insurable properties with a homestead exemption, ensuring they meet or exceed the fortified roof standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. The bill aims to exclude these grant amounts from the recipient's taxable income for state individual income tax purposes. If enacted, the legislation will take effect upon the governor's signature or upon the lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

Eliminates ad valorem taxes on stock for banks. SEE FISCAL NOTE for possible increase in revenue in "Revenue Explanation" section [LINK]

Proposes changes to the assessment of ad valorem taxes on bank stock in Louisiana. Currently, bank stock is taxed based on 15% of its fair market value, with a deduction of 50% of the assessed value of real estate, improvements, buildings, furniture, and fixtures owned by the bank. The bill seeks to increase this deduction from 50% to 100%, effectively reducing the taxable amount of bank stock. If enacted, this change would take effect on January 1, 2026.

This change aims to prevent double taxation on bank-owned properties and could lead to a reduction in property tax liabilities for banks, potentially influencing their financial strategies and investment decisions. The proposed amendment is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, impacting property taxes for the 2026 tax year.

It's considered by the banks to be double taxation because banks already pay property taxes on their real estate, buildings, furniture, and fixtures. When their shares of stock are assessed for ad valorem tax, the value of these same tangible assets is indirectly included in the bank’s overall valuation—which is used to determine the tax on those shares.

So essentially:

1.    First layer of tax: The bank pays direct property tax on its buildings, land, and equipment.

2.    Second layer of tax: The shareholders are taxed again on the value of the bank’s stock, which reflects (in part) the value of those already-taxed assets.

By allowing banks to deduct 100% of the value of these tangible assets when calculating the taxable value of their stock, the bill aims to eliminate that second, overlapping layer of taxation on the same property.

Several states impose specific taxes on financial institutions, though the methods and rates vary. Here's a comprehensive list:

·       California: Financial corporations are subject to a corporate income tax at a rate of 10.84%, higher than the standard 8.84% for other corporations.

·       Georgia: Imposes an occupation tax on depository financial institutions conducting business or owning property in the state. These institutions are also subject to corporate income and net worth taxes but receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against these taxes based on their occupation tax liability.

·       Illinois: Defines "financial organizations" to include entities like small loan companies and investment companies, subjecting them to specific tax regulations.

·       Indiana: Subjects financial institutions to a financial institutions tax, with mandatory combined reporting for unitary groups.

·       Ohio: Imposes a financial institutions tax based on a bank's Ohio equity capital.

·       Pennsylvania: Imposes a Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax on every bank and trust company conducting business in the state. The tax is levied annually based on the value of shares as of January 1, with the taxable value determined by the institution's total bank equity capital, adjusted for certain deductions.

·       South Carolina: Levies a separate income tax on banks operating within the state, with its own income and deduction provisions.

·       Tennessee: Imposes the Hall income tax on interest and dividend income received by residents, which includes dividends from bank stocks.

These examples illustrate that while the taxation of financial institutions is not uniform across the United States, multiple states have implemented specific tax regimes targeting these entities.

Changes to the deferral of court costs for the state and its agencies in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. Currently, the state and its subdivisions can temporarily defer court costs in judicial proceedings. This bill seeks to limit this deferral privilege specifically to the state and its departments listed in R.S. 36:4(A) when filing in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. Additionally, these entities would be required to deposit an advance filing fee of $200 with the court. The bill also amends provisions related to suits initiated by the attorney general for the protection of state interests, aligning the deferral of court costs with the proposed changes and maintaining the exemption from providing security bonds in legal proceedings.

SENATE floor amendments [LINK] clarify that electronic monitoring costs apply only to adults, requiring courts to waive such fees in juvenile cases. Additionally, they specify that after a court’s third finding of noncompliance with electronic monitoring, an adult is returned to state custody, and a juvenile to a pretrial facility.

SENATE committee amendments [LINK] set rules for certifying and registering electronic monitoring providers and equipment makers. They create a new crime for breaking electronic monitoring conditions, like entering banned areas or violating curfew, with penalties that increase if the person commits a felony or is out on bail for a violent crime. Courts can waive monitoring costs for juveniles if justified. State agencies must create official rules to manage the program.

Amend’s Louisiana's electronic monitoring laws for certain criminal defendants. The bill mandates that electronic monitoring service providers notify relevant authorities—including bail agents, district attorneys, or the attorney general—of any violations of a defendant's monitoring conditions within one day of detection. Providers who intentionally withhold or fail to report such information may face fines up to $1,000 per day, imprisonment for up to six months, and a five-year prohibition from offering electronic monitoring services in the state.

Additionally, the bill requires courts to impose conditions aimed at the rehabilitation of individuals under electronic monitoring, such as maintaining employment or, for juveniles, attending school and adhering to curfews. The costs associated with electronic monitoring would be the responsibility of the monitored individual. The bill also allows for the temporary detention of individuals, not exceeding six hours, to address equipment issues like charging or repairs. Furthermore, upon receiving reports of noncompliance, courts may issue arrest warrants, and after three noncompliance hearings, the individual's participation in the electronic monitoring program may be terminated, resulting in remand to state custody.

SENATE committee amendments [LINK] add exemptions for private projects, protect the authority of local entities like levee districts and ports, define “integrated” project planning, create an appeal process for denied projects, and allow emergency projects to proceed with the governor’s approval before formal plan inclusion.

Creates the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation (CURRENT) Authority. This authority would oversee integrated projects in Louisiana's upland areas, focusing on flood control, risk reduction, navigation, and water resource management.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Establishment of the CURRENT Authority Board: The board would have jurisdiction over integrated projects in upland areas, similar to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board's role in coastal areas.
• Development of Integrated Plans: The authority would create and implement comprehensive plans for the upland region addressing recreation, economic development, navigation, and transportation.
• Collaboration with Local Entities: The authority would provide engineering, economic, and advisory services to local governments, levee districts, ports, and other special districts to coordinate resource management efforts.

The legislation also outlines the authority's structure, responsibilities, and its relationship with existing state departments and agencies.

SENATE committee amendment [LINK] removes" The aggregate compensation for a dealer who operates one or more business locations within louisiana shall not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars per calendar month."

Proposes allowing dealers and remote sellers to receive compensation for collecting and remitting local sales and use taxes. This compensation would be in the form of a deduction against the taxes due, calculated at the rate specified in local ordinances. The total compensation for a dealer operating one or more business locations within Louisiana would be capped at $750 per calendar month. To qualify, returns must be filed, and taxes remitted, on or before the 20th day of the month following the month of collection. The act is set to become effective on July 1, 2025, and will apply to taxable periods beginning on and after that date.

Creates a special state fund to redirect revenue from local traffic camera fines to parish sheriffs for juvenile rehabilitation programs.

Key Provisions: 

- Establishes the Communities Aligned to Help Educate Youth Fund (CATHEY Fund) in the state treasury. 

- Requires local governments to remit all revenue from automated traffic enforcement devices (e.g., red light and speed cameras) to the state each month. 

- Beginning FY 2026–2027, the legislature must appropriate the prior year’s funds to parish sheriff’s offices based on population share. 

- Funds must be used exclusively for juvenile rehabilitation programs. 

- Prohibits local ordinances from overriding this dedication. 

- Effective July 1, 2025.

Creates the Reserve Fund in the state treasury to hold funds set aside by the legislature.

Key Provisions: 

- Establishes the Reserve Fund as a special fund. 

- Allows deposits from legislative transfers, donations, or appropriations. 

- Retains unspent and unencumbered balances at the end of each fiscal year. 

- Requires legislative appropriation to withdraw any money from the fund. 

- Interest earned stays in the fund. 

- Effective upon governor’s signature.

Changes how ad valorem tax value for movable property of out-of-state companies with no Louisiana office is allocated among parishes.

SENATE committee amendment 1 [LINK] slows the shift of assessed value allocations from East Baton Rouge Parish to other parishes, phasing it in over four years instead of three and delaying full reallocation until 2029.

Key Provisions of original bill: 

- Replaces default allocation to East Baton Rouge Parish with a formula based on each parish’s share of active railroad track miles. 

- Allows assessors to claim property located in their parish as of January 1. 

- Louisiana Tax Commission must publish annual track mileage data.

Phase-In: 

- 2026: 33% by track miles, 67% to East Baton Rouge 

- 2027: 67% by track miles, 33% to East Baton Rouge 

- 2028 and after: 100% by track miles

Applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026. 

Effective upon governor’s signature.

Cracks down on illegal online gambling and sweepstakes gaming, and restricts gaming industry ties to hostile or high-risk foreign jurisdictions.

Key Provisions: 

- Bans online sweepstakes games using dual-currency systems that simulate gambling. 

- Increases penalties for illegal gambling by computer: $10,000–$100,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison. 

- Makes violations a deceptive trade practice under consumer law. 

- Prohibits licensed gaming entities and affiliates from supporting or promoting illegal online gambling. 

- Bars gaming suppliers from doing business in terrorist-supporting or gambling-prohibited countries. 

- Requires annual disclosures of foreign activity; misstatements can lead to license denial or revocation. 

- Effective August 1, 2025.

SENATE floor amendments [LINK] add flexibility and protections related to vocational and technical education courses in high schools. They allow schools to request a waiver from offering such courses if their mission or curriculum does not align, subject to approval by both their local board and BESE. They also prohibit charging students course fees if the school receives Minimum Foundation Program career development funds for the course.

SENATE committee amendments [LINK] clarify that all public high schools must offer available vocational courses, and may partner with other public schools, two-year colleges, or approved nonprofit proprietary schools to provide these courses, add that this law does not override existing statutes, and require schools to inform students about eligibility for the TOPS Tech Early Start Award.

Requires all public high schools, including charter schools, to provide students access to vocational and technical education courses. Schools that do not offer a selected course must partner with another public school or LCTCS campus to provide it. 

Key Provisions: 

- Mandates access to vocational/technical courses for all high school students. 

- Authorizes partnerships with other schools or community/technical colleges. 

- Applies requirement to charter schools.

HOUSE committee Amendment 1 [LINK] removed six violent crimes from eligibility for the scholarship (Disarming of a peace officer, Aggravated assault with a firearm, Simple kidnapping, False imprisonment; offender armed with dangerous weapon, Aggravated arson, Home invasion) but leave in the following violent crimes:

Aggravated battery

Second degree battery

Aggravated assault

Aggravated criminal damage to property

Second degree robbery

Simple robbery

Purse snatching

Aggravated flight from an officer

ORIGINAL BREAKDOWN

Under HB558 (2025 Regular Session), the M.J. Foster Promise Program will now allow individuals convicted of certain crimes to be eligible for program grants, unless their conviction falls under specific exclusions.

Therefore, the following crimes are now eligible for M.J. Foster Promise Program grants under the proposed law:

1. Aggravated battery
2. Second degree battery
3. Disarming of a peace officer
4. Aggravated assault (excluding firearm-specific version)
5. False imprisonment with a dangerous weapon
6. Aggravated arson
7. Aggravated criminal damage to property
8. Home invasion
9. Second degree robbery
10. Simple robbery
11. Purse snatching
12. Aggravated flight from an officer

Note: All other crimes of violence listed in R.S. 14:2(B) and specifically enumerated in HB558 remain disqualifying and will continue to render an applicant ineligible.

Let me know if you’d like a formatted chart comparing before/after eligibility or a version tailored for legislative testimony.

HOUSE committee amendments technical except for Amendment 5 [LINK] which describes a data sharing agreement between the Board of Regents, the Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Expands eligible programs for the M.J. Foster Promise Program by including those associated with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) projects. Key changes include:

1.    Expansion of Qualified Programs:

o  Programs related to LED projects can now be designated as "qualified programs" eligible for M.J. Foster Promise Program funding.

o  Priority is given to programs related to LED projects in the qualification process.

2.    Streamlined Review Process:

o  The Board of Regents, with Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and LED, must establish a process for creating associate degree programs for LED projects.

o  Expedited reviews (45-day max) for LED projects with urgent workforce needs.

3.    Advisory Council Modifications:

o  The LWC must convene the advisory council annually and as needed for LED-related workforce priorities.

o  Review of workforce priorities every three years, but LED-related projects may trigger additional reviews.

4.    LED Secretary’s Responsibilities:

o  Maintain a list of priority programs supporting LED projects.

o  Notify the council and commissioner of higher education when new LED projects are approved.

o  Provide annual reports on the effectiveness of LED programs in meeting workforce and economic goals.

5.    Repeal of Certain Eligibility Requirements:

o  Previous eligibility requirements based on family income or unemployment/underemployment are removed.

This bill expands the M.J. Foster Promise Program removing eligibility requirements.

SENATE committee amendments [LINK] expand the bill to cover all juvenile criminal cases and give district attorneys broad discretion to transfer cases to district, parish, or city courts depending on the juvenile’s age and offense. They authorize the attorney general to do the same when acting as DA. The amendments also change court jurisdiction from exclusive to concurrent and clarify procedures for transferring serious felony cases involving juveniles 15 or older to adult court. Technical edits streamline language throughout the bill.

Proposes changes to the jurisdictional structure of Louisiana's courts concerning juvenile offenders. The bill aims to define the authority of various courts based on the juvenile’s age and the nature of the offense.

Key Provisions:

1. Special Juvenile Courts: In parishes with special juvenile courts (Caddo, Orleans, Jefferson, and East Baton Rouge), these courts would have exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile misdemeanor or felony offenses committed by persons under the age of 15.
2. District Courts: For juveniles aged 15 or older charged with felony offenses, district courts would have exclusive original jurisdiction. Existing felony cases involving juveniles aged 15 or older currently before juvenile courts would be transferred to district courts.
3. Parish and City Courts: In areas without special juvenile courts, parish and city courts would share concurrent jurisdiction with district courts over misdemeanor or felony cases involving juveniles who committed offenses under age 15.

The bill also addresses the applicability of the Code of Criminal Procedure and confidentiality of juvenile records. If enacted, these changes would take effect on August 1, 2025.

This is part of the effort to consolidate funds, freeing up dedicated revenue to pay down debt.

Repeals the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and redirects certain state revenues to the Budget Stabilization Fund ("Rainy Day Fund"). Simplifies mineral revenue dedications and revises conditions for fund deposits and usage.

KEY PROVISIONS:

• Eliminates the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, transferring its balance into the state general fund by July 1, 2029.
• Increases the Budget Stabilization Fund cap from 4% to 7.5% of total state revenues.
• Removes dedicated deposits of mineral revenues into multiple special funds, simplifying allocations primarily to the Budget Stabilization Fund.
• Directs surplus corporate income taxes (above $600 million) and specified mineral revenues into the Revenue Stabilization Fund temporarily, then into the Budget Stabilization Fund.
• Allows use of these funds if corporate income taxes fall below $800 million annually.
• Contingent on voter approval of constitutional amendments proposed by HB 678 and HB 366 of 2025.

Exempts from state and local sales and use tax the cost of repairs and parts for motor vehicles rented or leased by a dealer for re-rental or re-lease.

Key Provisions:

• Creates a new exemption under R.S. 47:305.77.
• Applies to both labor and parts used in repairing rental fleet vehicles.
• Only applies to vehicles actively rented or leased by a dealer to third parties.
• Effective July 1, 2025, for taxable periods starting on or after that date.

HOUSE floor amendments technical and [LINK] one allows an electronic copy to be provided with a certified copy upon request, rather than automatically.

HOUSE committee amendments technical in nature

Proposes a statewide revision of court reporter fees in Louisiana. The bill seeks to amend various sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes to standardize and update the compensation structure for court reporters.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Transcript Fees in Civil and Non-Indigent Criminal Cases: Court reporters may charge up to $5 per 31- or 32-line page for transcripts, and up to $2 per page for certified copies. These fees are to be set by a majority of the judges in the respective court.
• Transcript Fees in Indigent Criminal Cases: For cases involving indigent defendants, the bill allows court reporters to charge up to $3.50 per 31- or 32-line page for transcripts, and up to $1 per page for certified copies, with fees determined by a majority of the judges.
• Electronic Copies: Court reporters are prohibited from charging fees for providing electronic copies of previously transcribed transcripts.
• Sitting Fees: Salaried court reporters are not permitted to charge a sitting fee in any civil or criminal case.
• Expedited Transcription Fees: The bill introduces additional charges for expedited transcript requests:
• Transcription within 24 hours may incur a fee up to twice the standard per-page rate.
• Transcription within 48 hours may include an additional $3 per page over the standard rate.
• Transcription within five days may include an additional $1 per page over the standard rate.

Furthermore, the bill proposes the repeal of several existing statutes and legislative acts related to court reporter fees, aiming to consolidate and simplify the fee structure across the state.

By implementing these changes, the legislation intends to create a more uniform and transparent system for court reporter compensation throughout Louisiana.

This was part of the package last year to combine funds for the purpose of freeing up money to pay down debt.

HOUSE floor bureau amendments technical

HOUSE floor amendment set 2433 [LINK] clarify and adjust references related to the Louisiana Constitution sections being changed. Specifically, they correct language to properly indicate that a new section (10.3(D)) is being "added" rather than "enacted," and they remove an unnecessary line for clarity. The amendments also clearly outline the exact constitutional sections amended, added, and repealed, ensuring accuracy and consistency in referencing.

HOUSE committee amendment 2290 technical.

HOUSE committee amendment set 2015 [LINK] adjusts provisions related to the dedication and distribution of mineral revenues. Specifically, they repeal certain existing dedications, redefine how revenues are deposited into and credited to the Mineral Revenue Audit and Settlement Fund, and clarify that funds in this account will count toward the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund, but not toward the Budget Stabilization Fund. The amendments simplify revenue allocations by removing some previously required distributions and clarify constitutional references to streamline the management of mineral revenue funds.

Constitutional amendment to eliminate the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and redirect certain state revenues to the Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund), while raising the cap on its allowable balance.

Key Provisions:

• Repeals Article VII, §10.15, eliminating the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund.
• Redirects mineral revenue previously earmarked for the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund into the Budget Stabilization Fund through FY 2026–2027.
• Beginning FY 2027–2028, mineral revenue deposits into the Rainy Day Fund cease; other existing deposits remain (e.g., excess general fund and 25% of nonrecurring revenue).
• Raises the cap on the Rainy Day Fund from 4% to 7.5% of prior-year total state revenue receipts.
• Submits the proposed amendment to voters on November 3, 2026.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] remove the proposed tax deduction for senior citizens aged 65 or older, leaving only the deduction related to veterans with certain service-connected disabilities.They also adjust the bill text accordingly to reflect this removal, deleting all references to seniors and updating numbering and citations to match this change.

ORIGINAL BILL:

Proposes state income tax deductions for two groups in Louisiana:

1. Residents aged 65 and older would receive an additional deduction equal to the standard deduction for single filers.

2. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more would receive the same deduction.

Taxpayers must keep records to verify eligibility. The Department of Revenue can set rules for implementation.

The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, and apply to tax periods starting that year.

This is being addressed in the Article VII Constitutional Amendment.

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] establish the "Youth Cessation and Prevention Fund," a special fund in the state treasury, to receive 20% of tobacco tax revenues annually. The fund will support statewide programs addressing tobacco prevention and cessation targeting youth and young adults. Specifically, 40% is directed to the Louisiana Cancer Research Center, 40% to the Louisiana Department of Health for tobacco cessation initiatives, 10% to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, and 10% to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales. The amendments prohibit replacing existing general fund appropriations with monies from this fund.

HOUSE committee amendments technical

Changes the excise tax on vapor products and electronic cigarettes from 15 cents per milliliter of nicotine solution to 33% of the invoice price of these products. 

The new tax rate applies to all vapor products and electronic cigarettes purchased by retailers and wholesalers on or after July 1, 2025. It does not apply to products already stamped or unused tax stamps held by wholesalers before this date.

All wholesale and retail dealers must submit an inventory of existing stock to the Department of Revenue by August 1, 2025.

Effective date: July 1, 2025.

HOUSE floor amendments technical

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] clarify that responsibilities belong specifically to the secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, revise language about the types of money deposited into the fund, broaden the allowed uses of fund monies from specific projects to general purposes, and make technical corrections to bill section numbering.

Establishes the Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund in the Louisiana state treasury to support economic development through site investment and infrastructure improvements.

Funding Sources: 

1. Annual Contributions: Starting FY 2025-2026, 10% of recurring state general fund revenue exceeding the Official Forecast, capped at $50 million per year. 

2. Other Contributions: Donations, gifts, grants, appropriations, or other revenue.

Initial Deposit: A one-time transfer of $150 million from the State General Fund for FY 2024-2025.

Fund Management: 

- Interest earned is credited to the State General Fund. 

- Unused funds remain in the special fund at the end of each fiscal year.

Usage: Funds appropriated by the legislature to Louisiana Economic Development specifically for economic development projects involving site investment and infrastructure improvements.

Rulemaking Authority: Louisiana Economic Development may establish rules via standard procedures or emergency rulemaking.

Effective Date: Upon the governor’s signature or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] include:

• Adds a new provision to enact Code of Criminal Procedure Article 230.1(E). This new paragraph defines the phrase "conclusion of the case" for legal purposes
• Defines “conclusion of the case” as the entry of final judgment in the trial court by conviction, acquittal, or dismissal of all charges, and includes completion of sentencing if applicable.
• Updates the bill title and body to reflect the new definition.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] scale back the bill to focus only on changes to bail and pretrial procedures. They remove unrelated sections, delete most of the original bill text, and keep only amendments to three specific criminal procedure Articles 230.1(B), 293, and 294(D) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.[SEE BELOW]

Proposes significant changes to Louisiana’s Code of Criminal Procedure, aiming to strengthen rights for indigent defendants and speed up pretrial timelines.

1.    Appointment of Counsel (Article 230.1(B))

Current Law:

Appointment of counsel for indigent defendants is not consistently mandated from the initial appearance onward.

Proposed Change:

Requires immediate appointment of counsel at the first court appearance for indigent defendants. Counsel must remain through case resolution unless private counsel is retained. 

2.    Preliminary Examinations (Articles 292 & 293)

Current Law:

Preliminary exams are discretionary and not guaranteed, especially when grand jury indictments are involved.

Proposed Change:

Courts must grant a preliminary exam upon request in all felony cases, unless already indicted. Courts must also appoint counsel for indigent defendants and hold exams promptly.

3.    Transcript Access (Article 294(D))

Current Law:

Transcripts are provided at the court’s discretion; costs are typically borne by the requesting party.

Proposed Change:

Mandates prompt transcript delivery when requested. Indigent defendants receive transcripts at no cost.

4.    Time Limits for Filing Charges (Article 701(B))

Current Law:

·       60 days for most felonies

·       120 days for capital/life imprisonment felonies

Proposed Change:

·       15 days for most felonies

·       30 days for capital/life felonies

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] rewrites the funding and oversight provisions. It requires the state treasurer to deposit legislative appropriations, grants, donations, or other available funds into the Local Infrastructure FUnd. All interest earned and unspent money will remain in the fund at the end of each fiscal year. The money in the fund must be used to reimburse local governments for costs related to repairing or mitigating damage caused by broadband expansion. The Office of Community Development must develop guidelines for how the funds are used, and those guidelines must be approved by the Water Sector Commission. The office must also submit quarterly reports to the commission detailing how the funds are spent. The bill becomes effective upon the governor’s signature or as otherwise allowed by law.

HOUSE committee amendment [LINK] creates a new Local Infrastructure Fund in the state treasury. It dedicates state sales tax revenues and other funds to offset local ad valorem tax losses caused by inventory tax exemptions. After those offsets, up to $10 million per year may be appropriated for the repair, improvement, or consolidation of community water and sewer systems, with priority given to systems that have not received Water Sector Program grants. Use of the fund requires specific legislative appropriation. The infrastructure fund provisions take effect only if the constitutional amendment in HB366 is approved by voters.

Establishes the Local Infrastructure Fund as a special fund within the Louisiana state treasury. The fund would receive revenues from state sales and use taxes on telecommunications services, cable television services, direct-to-home satellite services, video programming services, and satellite digital audio radio services, along with donations, gifts, grants, appropriations, or other revenue sources.

The bill outlines two primary purposes for spending from the fund:

1.    Repair, improvement, and consolidation of community water and sewer systems for parishes or local authorities that have not previously received grants from the Water Sector Program.

2.    Repair and construction of roads, streets, alleys, bridges, causeways, dykes, dams, culverts, ditches, levees, and other drainage facilities under the jurisdiction of parishes or local governing authorities.

Expenditures from the fund would require legislative appropriation, and unspent or unobligated funds at the end of the fiscal year would remain in the fund. The state treasurer is authorized to invest any remaining monies in the Local Infrastructure Fund in the same manner as monies in the state general fund. Interest earned from these investments would be credited back to the Local Infrastructure Fund itself.

Creates a pilot program called “Farm-Ed” to promote agricultural STEM education in Louisiana schools.

Key Provisions: 

- Directs BESE and the Department of Education to establish the Farm-Ed pilot program. 

- Provides for use of controlled environment grow chambers and related curriculum in K–12 classrooms. 

- Requires development of rules to select participating schools and allocate available funding. 

- Program to be implemented as funding becomes available. 

- Effective August 1, 2025.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK]:

• Limits the bill's provisions to parishes with populations between 240,000 and 255,000.
• Requires employers to provide lifetime health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and dependent children of firefighters and law enforcement officers who die from injuries related to their official duties, whether on or off duty, protecting life or property.
• Applies these provisions retroactively to January 1, 2017.

Proposes amendments to Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1665 and 40:1665.2 concerning financial security for the surviving spouses and children of firemen and law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty.

Key Provisions:

1.    Health Insurance Coverage for Surviving Spouses:

The bill mandates that employers provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the surviving spouse of a fireman or law enforcement officer who dies as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. This coverage is to continue for the lifetime of the surviving spouse, extending the current provision which offers coverage for two years following the officer's death.

2.    Health Insurance Coverage for Surviving Children:

Employers are required to provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the deceased officer's or fireman's children, stepchildren, or adopted children who meet any of the following criteria:

o  Under the age of 18.

o  Under the age of 23 and enrolled in and regularly attending a secondary school or a full-time student at an accredited college or university.

o  Physically or mentally disabled.

The coverage for each child continues until they no longer meet the specified qualifications.

3.    Retroactive Application:

The bill stipulates that these provisions apply retroactively. Surviving spouses and children of all law enforcement officers and firemen who have previously died in the line of duty are eligible for the extended health insurance benefits.

The employer would be obligated to re-enroll eligible surviving family members into a health insurance plan, even if coverage had previously ended under the old two-year limit. The bill mandates coverage moving forward, but it does not explicitly address whether employers must reimburse or retroactively cover medical expenses incurred during the lapse.

Implementing retroactive coverage could require significant administrative work/cost.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK]:

• Reduces the maximum payment for extraordinary medical or dental expenses from $150,000 to $50,000 per injury.
• Specifies that these provisions apply to injuries sustained by officers during the performance of their duties on or after January 1, 2023.

Seeks to provide financial support for firemen and law enforcement officers in Louisiana who incur extraordinary medical and dental expenses due to injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Key provisions of HB 203:

1. Establishment of Coverage for Extraordinary Expenses:
2. The bill defines "extraordinary medical and dental expenses" as costs not covered by workers' compensation or the employer-provided health insurance plan. This includes both medical and dental expenses that exceed standard coverage limits.
3. Role of the Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen's Survivor Benefit Review Board:
4. The existing board, established under R.S. 40:1665.3, is tasked with reviewing and deciding on claims for these extraordinary expenses. The board must reach a unanimous decision within 60 days of receiving the necessary documentation. If a claim is denied, the officer has one year from the date of denial to file suit against the state in the parish where the injury occurred.
5. Funding Mechanism:
6. Payments for approved claims will be made by the Office of Risk Management on behalf of the board, contingent upon specific appropriations received for this purpose. This is facilitated through the enactment of R.S. 39:1533(A)(3).

Implications:

If enacted, HB 203 would provide a structured process for injured firemen and law enforcement officers to seek reimbursement for substantial medical and dental expenses not covered by existing insurance or workers' compensation, addressing gaps in coverage for duty-related injuries.

HOUSE approps committee amendments technical

HOUSE floor amendments technical

HOUSE H&G committee amendments [LINK] clarify conditions under which excess state revenues can be returned as dividends to taxpayers (excess revenues are returned as dividends unless the legislature, by a two-thirds vote, opts to redirect the funds to capital outlay projects), adjust dates for reporting, legislative actions, and dividend payments, and allow the legislature, by a two-thirds vote, to redirect funds for capital outlay projects instead of paying dividends. The amendments also clarify procedural language and timing related to mid-year budget adjustments and the dividend payment schedule.

Establishes the Louisiana Dividend Program within the Department of the Treasury to return a portion of certain mineral revenues to eligible Louisiana residents when no state individual income tax is levied.

Key Provisions:

- The program is triggered the first July 1 after the repeal of the state individual income tax.

- Funded by 25% of mineral revenues exceeding $650 million annually, deposited into a newly created Louisiana Dividend Fund.

- Residents aged 18+ who were domiciled in Louisiana for the entire qualifying year and are U.S. citizens or lawful residents may apply.

- Ineligible individuals include those convicted of felonies or incarcerated during the qualifying year for serious offenses or repeated misdemeanors.

- Dividends are calculated annually if the fund exceeds $400 million at the end of a fiscal year.

- Applications must be submitted between Jan 1 and Mar 31 of the payment year; active-duty military deployed during that time may apply later.

- Twenty percent of each dividend is protected from seizure; remaining amounts are subject to garnishment only after May 1.

- A Restorative Justice Subfund will receive amounts equivalent to what would have gone to ineligible individuals, to fund incarceration costs.

- A fraud investigation unit is created, and penalties for fraudulent claims include fines, repayment, and permanent disqualification from the program.

- The program includes confidentiality protections, an appeals process with fee waivers for indigent applicants, and authority for subpoena enforcement.