HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] broaden the bill to cover a wide range of prostitution and trafficking-related crimes, especially those involving minors. They align penalties for these offenses with the trafficking statute, imposing 15–50 year or 25–50 year prison terms and fines up to $75,000 for crimes involving victims under 18 or 14. A new offense is created for soliciting or purchasing a minor for sex. The amendments also require property used in these crimes to be seized, mandate a $2,000 fine to fund victim services, expand the definition of trafficking-related offenses, and extend the prosecution window to 30 years after the victim turns 18. Several outdated or overlapping statutes are repealed and replaced under this unified framework.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] expand the bill's scope to include harsher penalties for purchasing commercial sexual activity and add new victim protections. They increase fines and prison terms, especially when the victim is a minor or a trafficking victim. The amendments also require that half of the fines be allocated to victim services and clarify that child victims cannot be prosecuted if their actions resulted from being trafficked. Adults identified as victims must be informed of available treatment or services.

Proposes amendments to Louisiana statutes R.S. 14:83(B)(1)(b) and R.S. 15:541(24)(a) to modify penalties for the crime of soliciting for prostitutes and to include second or subsequent offenses under sex offender registration requirements.

1.  Enhanced Penalties for Repeat Offenses (Section 1, R.S. 14:83(B)(1)(b)):

• Current Law: A second or subsequent offense of soliciting for prostitutes carries a fine of $1,500 to $2,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, with half of the fines distributed per R.S. 15:539.4.
• Proposed Change: The imprisonment term for a second or subsequent offense must be served at hard labor, increasing the severity of the penalty while retaining the fine range and distribution provision.

1. Inclusion in Sex Offender Registry (Section 2, R.S. 15:541(24)(a)):

• Current Law: The definition of "sex offense" under R.S. 15:541(24)(a) lists various crimes requiring sex offender registration (e.g., human trafficking, rape, sexual battery), but soliciting for prostitutes is not included.
• Proposed Change: Adds a second or subsequent conviction of soliciting for prostitutes (R.S. 14:83(B)(1)) to the list of "sex offenses," subjecting repeat offenders to sex offender registration and notification requirements.

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] revise the offense to cover anyone who knowingly fails to apply payments toward utility bills for 60 days or more, or who uses deception in diverting those funds. The amendments specify that the law applies to individuals responsible for making utility payments and add a legislative intent section stating the law targets intentional misuse of utility funds under lease agreements—not honest mistakes or disputes. It is meant to address fraudulent patterns of nonpayment and applies to both individuals and entities.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] create a new crime called "misappropriation without violence" under R.S. 14:71.5. They remove references to racketeering and redefine penalties based on the value taken, ranging from up to 6 months for under $1,000 to up to 20 years and $50,000 for $25,000 or more. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties. The term "person" is clarified to include agents or officers of entities. The amendments also delete unrelated portions of the original bill.

Proposes to amend and enact provisions in Louisiana law (R.S. 14:71.5, R.S. 14:230.1(B)(8), and R.S. 15:1352(A)(89)) to create the crime of misappropriation of funds in connection with the payment of utility services, establish penalties, and integrate it into existing forfeiture and racketeering frameworks.

1. Creation of the Crime (Section 1, R.S. 14:71.5):

• Definition: It is illegal for a person who receives money under a lease or rental agreement to pay utility services (e.g., water, electricity, gas, broadband) to knowingly fail to use that money to settle the utility bills.
• Penalties:
• Imprisonment at hard labor for up to 10 years, a fine up to $100,000, or both.
• Full restitution to victims and others financially harmed by the offense.
• If the offender is indigent, the court must set a periodic payment plan based on their financial ability.
• Property Seizure: Any property used to commit or facilitate this crime is subject to seizure and forfeiture under R.S. 14:230.1.
• Definitions:
• "Person": Includes individuals and entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships).
• "Utility services": Encompasses water, electricity, gas, broadband, cable, heat, steam, telecom, or sewer services, regardless of ownership type.

1. Seizure and Forfeiture (Section 1, R.S. 14:230.1(B)(8)):

• Amends existing law to add misappropriation of utility funds (R.S. 14:71.5) to the list of offenses where facilitating property, proceeds, and commingled funds (even from those who should have known of the crime) are subject to seizure and forfeiture.

1. Racketeering Activity (Section 2, R.S. 15:1352(A)(89)):

• Adds misappropriation of utility funds to the list of crimes constituting "racketeering activity" under the Louisiana Racketeering Act, making it eligible for enhanced penalties and prosecution under racketeering laws.

1. Technical Adjustment (Section 3):

• Directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to renumber R.S. 15:1352(A) to properly incorporate the new provision (R.S. 15:1352(A)(89)).

Targets individuals or entities that collect utility payments under lease or rental agreements but fail to apply them appropriately, creating a new felony offense with significant penalties. By integrating this crime into forfeiture and racketeering statutes, it aims to deter such financial misconduct, protect utility service providers and tenants, and provide avenues for victim restitution.

Appropriates $330,000 from the State General Fund (Direct) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to pay two consent judgments against the state in the consolidated cases "William Mangum v. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries et al." and "Jackie Shaw Mangum v. State of Louisiana et al.," both involving the Department of Transportation and Development, in the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District, Bossier Parish. The funds are split equally: $165,000 for William Mangum (signed May 29, 2024, No. C-167,370-B) and $165,000 for Jackie Shaw Mangum (signed May 24, 2024, No. C-167,521).

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] update the definition of "net slot machine proceeds" to limit how much promotional play wagers can be deducted. Starting in 2026, eligible facilities may deduct up to $5 million or a percentage of taxable revenue, whichever is greater. The percentage cap increases over time: 4% in 2026, 7% in 2027, and 10% in 2028 and beyond.

Allows gaming operators to deduct a greater amount of promotional play from net gaming proceeds and gross revenue over time.

Key Provisions: 

- Retains $5M minimum annual deduction for promotional play wagers. 

- Adds a percentage cap deduction based on taxable revenue: 

 • 4% in 2026 

 • 7% in 2027 

 • 10% in 2028 and beyond 

- Applies to definitions of both "net gaming proceeds" and "gross revenue."