Amends Louisiana's unemployment compensation laws, specifically focusing on work search requirements for unemployment benefit eligibility.

Key Proposed Changes:

1. Increased Work Search Actions: Claimants would be required to perform at least five work search actions each week to qualify for unemployment benefits. The specific activities that constitute valid work search actions would be defined by the administrator through regulations.
2. Reemployment Assistance Plan: The bill emphasizes that claimants must follow a reemployment assistance plan approved by the administrator. This plan should be reasonable, considering factors such as the claimant's qualifications, proximity to potential employers, prior work history, and current labor market conditions.
3. Disqualification Criteria: The bill outlines circumstances under which individuals may be disqualified from receiving benefits, including:

• Failing to apply for or accept suitable work when directed.
• Not appearing for scheduled job interviews.
• Refusing to return to customary self-employment or participate in approved training programs as directed.

Such disqualification would persist until the claimant demonstrates earning wages equivalent to at least ten times their weekly benefit amount after the disqualifying event and has not left their last job under disqualifying circumstances.

1. Employer Reporting Mechanism: The administrator is tasked with creating an online or electronic form for employers to report suspected violations of work search requirements by claimants. Employers would be informed about the importance of reporting such violations at least annually.

The proposed effective date for this legislation is December 31, 2025.

Implications:

Redirects specific revenues collected by the Louisiana Department of Insurance to the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Fund. This fund supports initiatives aimed at strengthening homes against natural disasters.

HOUSE committee amendments technical

Key provisions of the bill include:

·       Surplus Lines Insurance Tax: The first $5 million collected annually from the tax on surplus lines and unauthorized insurance would be allocated to the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Fund.

·       Fees from Licenses and Registrations: A portion of various fees collected by the Department of Insurance would be redirected to the fund. This includes $15 from each producer's license fee, claims adjuster license fee, and public adjuster license fee, as well as $1,000 from each annual financial regulation fee.

·       Fire, Marine, and Transportation Insurance Tax: An annual allocation of $5 million from taxes on fire, marine, transportation, casualty, surety, and other specified insurance types would be deposited into the fund.

Additionally, the bill authorizes the commissioner of insurance to enter into agreements for obtaining policy information on surplus lines and other unauthorized insurance, and to promulgate rules and regulations to facilitate the administration and collection of these taxes.

The proposed legislation is set to become effective on July 1, 2026.

HOUSE floor amendments [LINK] allow for restitution and for the Attorney General to seek restitution from third party reservation platforms.

Implications:

This bill creates a new law to stop third-party websites or apps from offering restaurant reservations without permission.

It defines what counts as a food service business (like restaurants and cafeterias) and what a third-party reservation platform is (like apps or websites that take reservations but aren’t owned by the restaurant).

The bill makes it illegal for these third-party platforms to list or sell reservations for a restaurant unless they have a contract with the restaurant or its representative.

If they break this rule, the attorney general can fine them up to $1,000 per day, per restaurant. The money from those fines will go toward consumer protection and education efforts.

The goal is to protect restaurants from having their reservations used or sold without their consent.

Proposes to enact Chapter 69 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S. 51:3291), titled "Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy." 1. Defines "food service establishment" (e.g., restaurants, cafeterias) and "third-party restaurant reservation platform" (websites or apps offering reservations, not owned by the establishment). 2. Prohibits third-party platforms from listing, advertising, promoting, or selling reservations for a food service establishment without a contractual agreement with the establishment or its designee. 3. Authorizes the attorney general to impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation, with violations accruing daily per establishment. 4. Directs collected penalties to be used by the attorney general for consumer protection and education. The bill seeks to protect food service establishments from unauthorized reservation practices by third-party platforms, ensuring contractual agreements are in place.

HOUSE committee amendment technical

Directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study and recommend possible changes to the rules for recusing judges in criminal cases. The study aims to improve fairness and consistency. A report is due to the legislature by February 1, 2026.