Alonzo Knox — House - District 93
Votes Like
Live from the 2025 Regular Session
(1400 House floor votes analyzed - so far...)
Upcoming Committee Hearings
House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs
🏛 House📅 No upcoming hearing scheduled
🕗 Bills Pending: 52
Sponsored Bills
HB192: Provides relative to the French Quarter Management District in the city of New Orleans
Last Action: Effective date: 08/01/2025.
Date: 2025-06-11
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
HB198: Authorizes an income tax deduction for tip income earned by taxpayers at or below certain income levels (OR DECREASE GF RV See Note)
Last Action: Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
Co-sponsors: Steven Jackson (D) Candace Newell (D) Pat Moore (D) Sylvia Taylor (D)
Pending: 🏛 Ways and Means 93 📅 Not Scheduled
Proposes an income tax deduction for tip income earned by Louisiana residents below certain income thresholds.
Key Provisions:
- Definition of Tip Income:
- The bill defines "tip income" as the total of:
- Amounts reported as "social security tips" on IRS Form W-2.
- Amounts reported as "allocated tips" on IRS Form W-2.
- Cash and charge tips received, minus the amount reported to employers, as recorded on IRS Form 4137.
- Deduction Eligibility and Amounts:
- Single, Head of Household, or Married-Separate Filers:
- AGI ≤ $61,000: 100% deduction of tip income.
- $61,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $62,000: 80% deduction.
- $62,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $63,000: 60% deduction.
- $63,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $64,000: 40% deduction.
- $64,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $65,000: 20% deduction.
- AGI > $65,000: No deduction.
- Married-Joint or Qualified Surviving Spouse Filers:
- AGI ≤ $122,000: 100% deduction of tip income.
- $122,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $124,000: 80% deduction.
- $124,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $126,000: 60% deduction.
- $126,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $128,000: 40% deduction.
- $128,001 ≤ AGI ≤ $130,000: 20% deduction.
- AGI > $130,000: No deduction.
This bill aims to reduce the taxable income for lower to middle-income individuals who earn tips, potentially lowering their overall tax liability.
HB270: Provides relative to New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Economic Growth and Development District
Last Action: Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: 👤 Alonzo Knox (D)
Pending: 🏛 Municipal 52 📅 Not Scheduled
Proposes amendments to the statutes governing the New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Economic Growth and Development District.
The bill focuses on the district's authority to enter into Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
1. Tax Exemption for District-Owned Property:
o The bill reaffirms that any property acquired or owned by the district is considered public property used for public purposes and is exempt from all ad valorem taxes.
2. Taxation of Improvements:
o Improvements on such properties, unless owned by the New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, will be subject to ad valorem taxes or, alternatively, a PILOT agreement.
3. PILOT Agreements:
o The district's board may designate specific properties as "economic development projects" eligible for PILOT agreements.
o Lessees or sublessees of these projects are required to make annual payments to local taxing authorities, not exceeding the amount that would have been due if the lessee owned the property.
o Full payment of ad valorem taxes levied by the Orleans Parish School Board is mandatory, without any reductions through PILOT agreements.
4. Review and Approval Process:
o Prior to finalizing a PILOT agreement, the district must submit the proposal to the New Orleans City Council for review.
o The proposal must include:
§ The term and annual amount of the PILOT.
§ A description of the economic development project, which should involve:
§ Creation of at least ten new permanent jobs per distinct parcel.
§ Development of a minimum of seventy-five affordable workforce housing units, maintained at affordable rates for at least thirty years.
This indicates that the Council is involved in the process by reviewing the terms, but their formal approval is not a required step for the agreement to take effect — at least based on the current bill language.
HB292: Provides relative to jury polling and disposition
Last Action: Effective date: 08/01/2025.
Date: 2025-06-04
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
Wants parties to be able to demand poll numbers from the jury during deliberations before a verdict is reached.
Proposes amendments to Article 812 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure concerning jury polling procedures.
1. When Polling Is Allowed
· Current Law:
Polling the jury is allowed only after a verdict is returned, and only if requested by either the state or the defendant.
· Proposed Change:
Expands polling to any time upon request—even if no verdict has been reached (such as in a mistrial or hung jury).
2. Method of Polling (When Verdict Is Reached)
· Current Law:
The clerk orally asks each juror individually in open court whether the announced verdict is their own.
· Proposed Change:
Jurors are given written slips with their name and the question, “Is this your verdict?”
o Jurors write "Yes" or "No" and sign the slip.
o The slips are collected and recorded by the clerk.
o If the required number of jurors affirm, the verdict is recorded.
o If not, the court may order deliberations to resume or declare a mistrial.
3. Polling When No Verdict Is Reached (New Provision)
· Current Law:
No polling allowed—there's no mechanism for polling when a jury fails to reach a verdict.
· Proposed Change:
Introduces polling in mistrial situations.
o Jurors receive a slip asking, “What was your verdict?”
o They must write "guilty," "not guilty," or "guilty of a lesser offense," and sign.
o These are recorded by the clerk but do not change the fact that no verdict was reached.
4. Confidentiality and Sealing of Polls
· Current Law:
No explicit provision for sealing or confidentiality of individual juror responses.
· Proposed Change:
Courts may seal polling slips for specified reasons.
o Sealed slips require a court order to be released.
o Juror names must be redacted from any released slips to protect anonymity.
HB298: Provides relative to the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority
Last Action: Effective date: 06/08/2025.
Date: 2025-06-08
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
Proposes several amendments to the statutes governing the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. The bill aims to refine the authority's powers and duties, particularly concerning the development and financing of projects like the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project. This bill does not increase taxes — it primarily reallocates or clarifies how existing funds and tax revenues can be used.
Specifically:
- It authorizes the use of the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s existing tax revenues and other income to fund the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project.
- It introduces a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) system for lessees of the hotel project. Instead of paying regular property taxes, the lessee will make structured payments based on the number of rooms and a comparative rate — this doesn't create a new tax but ensures the lessee contributes a fair share over time.
Key provisions of the bill:
1. Definition of "Project":
The bill clarifies the definition of "project" to encompass various convention, exhibition, and tourist facilities. This includes the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project, which features a multi-story parking garage and a bridge connecting the hotel to the south end of the convention center. The definition also covers necessary land acquisitions, site improvements, infrastructure, furnishings, machinery, equipment, and related appurtenances.
2. Utilization of Tax Revenues:
The authority is authorized to use its tax revenues and other income for the design, development, construction, furnishing, and equipping of the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project. This can be executed through contracts or cooperative endeavor agreements.
3. Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT):
Any lease agreement for the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project must include provisions for payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes by the lessee. These payments are calculated based on the number of rooms in the hotel multiplied by the average per-room tax assessment of the three largest hotels in downtown New Orleans that are fully taxable. The payment schedule is structured as follows:
o First Year: 45% of the base rate
o Second Year: 65% of the base rate
o Third Year: 85% of the base rate
o Fourth Year and Thereafter: 100% of the base rate
4. Public-Private Partnerships:
For developments involving joint projects with private entities on land owned by the authority, the bill outlines specific provisions. These provisions are designed to facilitate public-private partnerships, although the exact details are not fully specified in the available summary.
HB402: Authorizes an income tax deduction for veterans with certain disabilities (EG -$11,300,000 GF RV See Note)
Last Action: Reported favorably. Rules suspended. Read by title and recommitted to the Committee on Finance.
Date: 2025-06-08
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
Co-sponsors: Candace Newell (D) Sylvia Taylor (D) Daryl Adams (D) Beryl Amedee (R) Tony Bacala (R) Delisha Boyd (D) Chad Boyer (R) Jacob Braud (R) Robert Carter (D) Wilford Carter (D) Tehmi Chassion (D) Emily Chenevert (R) Adrian Fisher (D) Dodie Horton (R) John Illg (R) Vanessa Caston Lafleur (D) Rodney Lyons (D) Denise Marcelle (D) Shaun Mena (D) Pat Moore (D) Charles Owen (R) Joy Walters (D) John Wyble (R) Annie Spell (R)
...and 19 more.
Pending: 🏛 Finance 36 📅 Not Scheduled
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.
HB410: Provides relative to renovations of certain property in historic preservation districts
Last Action: Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: 👤 Alonzo Knox (D)
Pending: 🏛 Municipal 52 📅 Not Scheduled
Proposes regulations for significant exterior renovations on state or local government-owned properties within Louisiana's historic preservation districts. Specifically, it targets projects exceeding $200,000 on landmarks or contributing rated structures.
Key Provisions:
1. Compliance with Preservation Standards: Projects must adhere to the Department of the Interior's guidelines, including the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, or obtain a certificate of appropriateness as outlined in R.S. 25:738.
2. Notification Requirements: Before commencing work, the responsible state or local entity must notify local legislators and the relevant historic district commission, detailing the project's scope and referencing this legislation.
3. Historic Commission Review: Within 30 days of notification, the local historic district commission can opt to review the project. If they choose to do so, a public hearing must be held to gather community feedback.
4. Enforcement Measures: Should a project not comply with these provisions, the historic district commission has the authority to issue a stop order or seek legal remedies to ensure adherence.
The bill is set to apply to projects initiated on or after August 1, 2025.
HB546: Provides with respect to the issuance of alcoholic beverage permits (OR SEE FISC NOTE SG RV)
Last Action: Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Date: 2025-04-14
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
Pending: 🏛 Judiciary 39 📅 Not Scheduled
Allows state legislators to block the issuance or renewal of alcoholic beverage permits in their districts.
Key Provisions:
- Requires the commissioner to notify the local state senator and representative within 5 days of receiving a permit or renewal application.
- Allows the legislator to block the permit by filing a sworn petition of opposition within 35 days.
- If filed, both state and local permits must be withheld.
- Exempts legislator-filed petitions from the current requirement to present supporting evidence or appear at a hearing.
HB619: Provides relative to public camping (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Last Action: Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.
Date: 2025-05-22
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
Pending: 🏛 Appropriations 71 📅 Not Scheduled
This is a RIDICULOUSLY dangerous idea. If the Palestinian camps weren't recent enough history to dissuade people here from creating refugee camps, how about the "Summer of Love" camps ripe to be taken over by the OCCUPY leftist groups. And we're going to pay for them with state funding?
HOUSE floor amendments technical
HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] expands and modifies the original bill related to public camping and homelessness.
Key Changes:
- Allows local governments to designate specific areas for public camping.
- Requires local authorities to notify the state within 10 days after making such a designation.
- Creates the "Encampment Mitigation Reimbursement Fund" to help local governments cover costs related to encampment regulation. Managed by the Louisiana Housing Corporation.
- Expands definition of encampments to include permanent or semi-permanent structures, not just tents.
- Removes requirement that RVs or vehicles in encampments be registered and insured.
- Requires 30-day public notice before clearing any encampment.
- Allows nearby residents, business owners, nonprofits, and district attorneys to file civil lawsuits against illegal encampments within 1,000 feet of their property.
- Clarifies that a new encampment built within 3 days after one is cleared constitutes a new violation.
- Requires homeless service providers who receive public funds to submit to audits and report use of funds, performance metrics, and outcomes.
- Authorizes the Department of Health and State Fire Marshal to set rules and conduct annual inspections of designated camping sites.
- Sets the effective date as June 1, 2026, and includes a sunset date of June 1, 2029.
The amended bill creates a legal and funding framework to regulate homeless encampments, authorize designated areas, and hold service providers accountable.
Restricts public camping and sets conditions for temporary outdoor habitation on public land.
Key Provisions:
- Bans unauthorized public camping; allows exceptions if no shelter beds are available.
- Political subdivisions may designate land for camping (max one year) with LDH certification.
- Requires safety, sanitation, and behavioral health standards for designated sites.
- Enables enforcement via civil lawsuits by residents, business owners, or the Attorney General.
- Directs LDH to set shelter standards and seek federal waivers for funding.
- Effective upon governor’s signature.
HB96: Adds the U.S. Space Force to various statutory definitions of U.S. Armed Forces
Last Action: Effective date: 08/01/2025.
Date: 2025-06-08
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
Co-sponsors: Tehmi Chassion (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
Amends various existing statutes to include the United States Space Force in the definitions of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill modifies multiple sections of Louisiana law (R.S. 13, 14, 15, 17, 37, 46, and 47) that currently define terms such as "veteran," "active member of the United States Armed Forces," "disabled veteran," "uniformed service," "military," "military medical personnel," "activated military person," and "honorably discharged military person." These definitions already encompass branches like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard, and the proposed law adds the Space Force to each relevant category.
The amendments ensure that members of the Space Force are recognized consistently across statutes related to veterans’ rights, military obligations, licensure, education programs, and special license plates (e.g., "Blue Star Mothers"). The bill retains the existing legal framework and simply extends it to include the Space Force, reflecting its establishment as a distinct branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
HCR10: Commends the victims of Hurricane Katrina on the twentieth anniversary of its landfall and designates August 29th as "Katrina Day"
Last Action: Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
Date: 2025-04-25
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
HR175: Commends Pope Leo XIV on his ascension to the papacy, commemorates his Creole lineage and ancestral ties to the 7th Ward of New Orleans, and expresses support for the canonization of Venerable Henriette DeLille
Last Action: Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
Date: 2025-05-16
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
HR176: Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of Safaria Angelique McFarland
Last Action: Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
Date: 2025-05-16
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
HR213: Designates May 27, 2025, as DDD Day at the Capitol and commends the Downtown Development District of New Orleans on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary
Last Action: Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
Date: 2025-05-28
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
HR94: Commends Dorothy Prevost for her efforts to preserve the legacy of the New Orleans Four
Last Action: Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
Date: 2025-05-05
Author: Alonzo Knox (D)
📅 Not Scheduled
This would EXTEND the existence of the district, when it was scheduled to sunset in 2028. Do they have a vote of the people to raise taxes in this district?
Proposes extending the existence of the French Quarter Management District (FQMD) in New Orleans from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2033.
The FQMD is a political subdivision of the state established to enhance public safety and sanitation, provide supplemental resources for law enforcement related to the quality of life for tourists, residents, and businesses, engage in strategic planning, support business and commercial development, and administer capital improvement funds within the French Quarter.