Pproposes increasing the daily payment rate by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) to parish jails for housing state inmates. The increases are scheduled as follows:

·       2025-2026: $35 per day

·       2026-2027: $37 per day

·       2027-2028: $39 per day

·       2028-2029 and onward: $40 per day

The previous rate was $26.39 per day since the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This bill aims to gradually raise compensation over several years to address costs related to inmate housing.

HOUSE committee amendment 4 [LINK] Creates an administrative process for litter fines, allowing civil penalties, attorney fees, and costs to be recovered and deposited into the litter abatement fund.

HOUSE floor amendment technical

Proposes to amend R.S. 56:1688(C) to expand the enforcement authority of Louisiana state park wardens. Currently, these wardens are empowered to enforce all rules and regulations of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism's Office of State Parks, as well as all state laws within their designated jurisdictions. The proposed amendment would grant state park wardens the authority to enforce litter laws statewide, allowing them to issue citations for littering offenses either in person or by mail.

This legislative change aims to enhance efforts to combat littering across Louisiana by utilizing the existing network of state park wardens beyond the confines of state parks. By extending their jurisdiction, the bill seeks to leverage their enforcement capabilities to address litter issues more comprehensively throughout the state.

CHECK THE ANTITRUST IMMUNITY NUMBER 5 Why is this broad antitrust immunity necessary for ambulance services in this instance? Is there a good reason for limiting/monopoly even when there is more than one service?

Seeks to expand the regulation of ground ambulance services by local governing authorities in Louisiana. The bill introduces several key provisions:

1.    Rate Submission to the Department of Insurance: Local governing authorities that have established rates for ground ambulance services, or the designated ambulance service providers operating on their behalf, are required to submit these rates to the Department of Insurance in a prescribed format. This submission must be certified as accurate by the submitting entity.

2.    Notification of Rate Changes: Any changes to the established rates must be promptly reported to the Department of Insurance to ensure the database reflects current pricing.

3.    Public Database Maintenance: The Department of Insurance is tasked with creating and maintaining a publicly accessible database on its website, displaying the submitted rates. Insurers are permitted to rely in good faith on the information presented in this database.

4.    Recognition of Home Rule Charters: The bill acknowledges existing provisions in home rule charters that allow parishes and municipalities to regulate ambulance services. It specifies that its provisions are to be interpreted retroactively, ensuring alignment with current local regulations.

5.    State Antitrust Immunity: Local governing authorities acting within the scope of this Section are granted the state's antitrust immunity. Such actions are presumed to be in furtherance of state policy, allowing municipalities to displace competition and provide monopoly public services when deemed necessary.

6.    Exclusion for Manufacturing Facilities: The bill clarifies that its provisions do not authorize the regulation of ambulance services located on manufacturing facility sites when such services are solely for use within the facility.

The antitrust immunity provision in House Bill No. 241 grants legal protection to local governing authorities in Louisiana when they regulate ground ambulance services—even if those actions might otherwise be seen as limiting competition.

Here's a breakdown of what this means:

1.    Normal Antitrust Laws: Under typical antitrust (competition) laws, it's illegal for entities to form monopolies or restrain trade because it can hurt consumers by reducing choices or inflating prices.

2.    State-Action Doctrine: However, there's a legal concept called the "state-action immunity doctrine" (from the U.S. Supreme Court case Parker v. Brown), which says that if a state or a political subdivision (like a city or parish) takes actions as part of a clearly defined state policy to regulate an industry, they can be exempt from federal antitrust laws.

3.    Application in HB 241: The bill explicitly extends this kind of immunity to local governments when they:

• Regulate ambulance services within their jurisdiction,
• Set or enforce rate structures,
• Limit the number of service providers, or
• Establish monopolies for public safety reasons (e.g., assigning a single provider for 911 ambulance response in a parish).

4.    Presumption of State Policy: HB 241 goes further to presume that such actions are “in furtherance of state policy.” That means local governments don’t have to prove the state’s intent each time—they’re automatically covered when operating under this law.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] increase the minimum age requirement from twenty-five to thirty-five years to qualify, and clarify that using the vehicle in the production of a motion picture does not count as "used for commercial purposes."

Creates a state and local sales and use tax exemption for antique motor vehicles that: 

- Are at least 25 years old 

- Are not used commercially 

- Are valued at $10,000 or more

The bill increases the one-time special license plate fee for these qualifying vehicles from $25 to $1,000. Vehicles valued under $10,000 are not exempt from sales tax and keep the $25 plate fee.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025 

Applies to sales, registration, or transfer of antique vehicles on or after this date.

Fiscal Impact: Likely reduction in tax revenue, partially offset by increased plate fees.

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] specify illegal actions, including operating an unregistered vehicle, improper use or lending of license plates, failing to surrender suspended plates, providing false information on registration applications, and using plates on unsafe or improperly equipped vehicles. The amendments clearly outline prohibited behaviors and associated responsibilities for vehicle owners and operators.

Expands regulations on temporary registration plates issued by vehicle dealers and increases penalties for the use of fictitious plates.

Key Provisions: 

- Requires dealers to electronically submit detailed vehicle and purchaser information to the commissioner when issuing temporary registration plates. 

- Increases the fee for each temporary plate from $4 to $20. 

- Mandates the use of print-on-demand plates using approved paper/card stock, phasing out preprinted plates. 

- Authorizes the commissioner to issue cease and desist orders to non-compliant dealers and report them to licensing boards. 

- Updates display requirements: temporary plates must be mounted on the rear bumper or manufacturer-designated area and must be legible from 60 feet. 

- Increases criminal penalties for using, selling, or possessing fictitious or altered temporary plates: fines of $100–$500 or up to 6 months imprisonment. 

- Adds civil penalties of $200–$500 for individuals, dealers, or agents violating these provisions. 

- Aligns temporary plate numbers with permanent plate numbers and allows for transfer of special/personalized plates between vehicles. 

- Effective upon governor’s signature or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

Asks the Southeastern Conference to schedule LSU football games after 6:00 p.m. in September to reduce heat-related health risks for players, staff, and fans. Cites high temperatures and past medical incidents at day games. A copy will be sent to the SEC commissioner.