Proposes reducing the minimum allowable light transmission for sun screening devices on the front side windows of motor vehicles. The current law requires at least 40% light transmission for these windows, but the bill seeks to lower this threshold to 25%. Regulations for other windows remain unchanged: 25% for side windows behind the driver and 12% for rear windows. The bill retains the prohibition on sun screening devices with a luminous reflectance above 20%. This change would allow for darker window tints on the front side windows.

Gives the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) regulatory authority over internet service providers (ISPs) that use federal funds for broadband infrastructure, such as through the BEAD or RDOF programs.

Key points:

·       Applies only to ISPs receiving federal broadband funding.

·       PSC gains oversight of privately owned ISPs not regulated by municipalities.

·       PSC can make and enforce rules, compel testimony, and issue penalties.

·       All PSC actions must be approved by the Office of Broadband before advancing through legislative procedures.

The bill aims to ensure accountability and coordinated oversight of federally funded broadband providers.

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the membership of the Louisiana Public Service Commission from five to seven members. Currently, all five commissioners are elected for overlapping six-year terms from single-member districts. The proposed amendment retains these five elected positions and adds two at-large members appointed by the governor, subject to Senate approval, who would serve at the governor's pleasure for up to two consecutive four-year terms. This amendment is scheduled to be presented to voters in a statewide election on November 3, 2026.

HOUSE floor amendment 1 set 2275 [LINK] Adds a new subcategory to the property tax assessment schedule: public service property, excluding land, limited to barge line and towing vessels, assessed at 15%.

Other HOUSE floor amendments technical

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Proposes a constitutional amendment affecting ad valorem taxation of business inventory in Louisiana.

Specifically, the bill seeks to authorize individual parishes to:

1.    Exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes: Parishes would have the option to fully exempt business inventory from local property taxes.

2.    Adjust assessment percentages: Parishes could reduce the percentage of fair market value used to assess business inventory for taxation purposes.

To support parishes implementing the full exemption, the bill allows the state to provide a one-time payment to these parishes. This payment would be distributed to local taxing authorities within the parish, with the amount and distribution process defined by subsequent legislation.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the state legislature from mandating local taxing authorities to exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes, ensuring decisions remain at the parish level.

If approved, the provisions of this amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply to tax years beginning on or after that date.

Seeks to expand the Louisiana Public Service Commission from five to seven members. Key changes include:

1. Adding Two Appointed Members:

  - The two new members will be appointed by the governor and will represent the state-at-large.

  - These members require Senate approval and will serve at the governor’s pleasure for up to two consecutive four-year terms.

2. Commissioner Qualifications:

  - Elected members must be 18 years old, residents of Louisiana for two years, and domiciled in their district for one year before election.

  - Appointed members must be 18 years old and have been Louisiana residents for two years.

3. Terms:

  - Elected members continue to serve six-year overlapping terms.

  - Appointed members serve at the pleasure of the governor, with a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.

4. Quorum Adjustment:

  - Increasing quorum requirement from three to four commissioners for official business transactions.

5. Staffing:

  - 37 full-time employee positions are allocated across districts.

  - Additional staffing will be provided for the newly appointed commissioners.

6. District Designation:

  - Current elected commissioners in office as of January 1, 2023, will continue representing their respective districts.

The bill modifies R.S. 45:1161.1, 1161.2(B), 1161.3, and 1161.4(B) to accommodate these changes.

Appropriates $200,000 from the State General Fund (Direct) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to pay a consent judgment in "Landon Howard Powell et al. v. State of Louisiana, through the Department of Transportation and Development et al.," signed August 26, 2024, in the Ninth Judicial District Court, Rapides Parish (No. 254,503, Division F). The funds are allocated as follows: $25,000 to Landon Howard Powell, $50,000 to William Brayden Powell, and $125,000 to Kynlee Ann Powell.

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 committee amendments [LINK] shorten decision period and appeal period for vendors from 14 to 7 days, and other technical and structural changes.

Pulls the entire process for procuring voting machines behind closed doors and out of public view undermining the public's confidence in the system that is procured.

Key Provisions: 

1. Procurement Methods: 

Replaces current methods with procurement by competitive sealed proposals or invitation to negotiate under the Louisiana Procurement Code.

2. Certification Requirements: 

Maintains requirement that systems be tested by labs accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Reinforces that systems must meet both state certification standards and national Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG). The standards are in the process of changing and NO machines are currently certified under VVSG.

3. Role of the Secretary of State: 

Continues as the lead authority for procurement, working with the Office of State Procurement. Must promulgate certification standards before soliciting vendors. Must consider recommendations of the Voting System Commission.

4. Voting System Commission (VSC): 

Retains role of evaluating systems and making procurement recommendations. Shifts language from recommending systems for "competitive solicitation" to recommending systems for "procurement," aligning with broader procurement methods.

5. Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee (VSPEC): 

Reviews proposals and responses to invitations to negotiate. Conducts investigations and public testing, scores submissions, and recommends the highest-scoring vendor to the Secretary of State.

6. Legal Remedies Framework: 

Establishes Subpart B to Title 18, creating a clear, formal process for:

- Protesting solicitations or awards 

- Debarment or suspension of vendors 

- Resolution of contract disputes 

Grants the Chief Procurement Officer and Commissioner of Administration authority to resolve disputes. Sets timelines for administrative and judicial review. Limits damages to reasonable bid preparation and contract performance costs (no attorney fees or consequential damages). Provides for expedited judicial review in the 19th Judicial District Court with tight timelines for appeals.

7. Enforcement and Penalties: 

Sets misdemeanor penalties (fine up to $1,000 or 6 months imprisonment) for intentional violations of procurement law.

8. Effective Date: 

Becomes effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time without signature.

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] give the Office of Broadband Development exclusive authority to regulate and enforce compliance for GUMBO 2.0 and later broadband programs. The office can set rules, investigate complaints, impose penalties, and must provide a complaint process. Other agencies are barred from oversight unless authorized. Earlier deployments are exempt.

Expands administrative costs and oversight of the GUMBO broadband program by increasing administrative funds to 2.5% for the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity and 2.5% for contractors, allowing flexible reimbursement thresholds for GUMBO 1.0 and 2.0 grantees, establishing GUMBO 3.0 for non-deployment grants in sectors like healthcare and agriculture, and creating GUMBO 4.0 for digital opportunity initiatives. It grants the office exclusive authority to set rules, investigate noncompliance, enforce penalties, and manage complaints, ensuring more broadband program oversight of this very troubled program.