These new Louisiana laws will take effect in 2025. • Louisiana Illuminator

Postal voting

Act 317 / SB218 places greater restrictions on postal voting. Only immediate family members can submit mail-in ballots on behalf of a voter. No person, organization or entity may distribute absentee ballot forms to voters who have not requested the application. Seniors and people with disabilities must reapply for postal voting every four years.

Ankle monitoring regulations

Law 746 / HB874 Requires providers and manufacturers of electronic monitoring services to register with law enforcement authorities and file monthly reports on the defendants they monitor.

Car insurance discounts for military members

Law 173 / SB 337Expands the federal 25% discount on automobile insurance to military reservists, retired military personnel, and certain veterans.

Hemp regulations

Law 752 / HB952, tightens regulations for the state’s hemp industry. The law imposes new portion size limits on THC products such as gummies and seltzers, prohibits the sale of floral hemp products, and also prohibits the sale of hemp THC products to anyone under 21. Hemp products are no longer allowed to be sold at gas stations.

Income tax

Act 5 / HB2passed during the governor’s special session on taxes, lowers Louisiana’s corporate tax rate from 7.5% to 5.5%. A flat rate of 3% is applied to individual income tax.

Non-compete clauses for doctors

Act 273 / SB165 Limits non-compete clauses in medical contracts to a maximum of five years, depending on the specialty. If the doctor terminates the contract before the end of the first five years, he may be prohibited from practicing medicine in the municipality of his employer and two neighboring municipalities for up to two years.

Seafood labeling

Act 148 / SB166 aims to improve transparency in the seafood industry. Restaurants, seafood markets and grocers that sell imported crawfish or shrimp are required to post disclaimers on menus or store entrances. Companies are prohibited from making misleading claims that seafood comes from the United States

State Employment Requirements

Under Act 655 / HB566Applicants are no longer required to hold a bachelor’s degree or have more than three years of relevant experience unless the position is senior or requires specialized knowledge.

Unemployment benefits

Currently, unemployed people are entitled to state benefits for up to 26 weeks, but less Act 412 / HB119They are only entitled to up to 20 weeks. The exact duration depends on the unemployment rate, with a maximum duration of 20 weeks if the rate reaches 8.5%. If it falls below 5%, employees are only entitled to benefits for up to 12 weeks.

Choose

Act 500 / SB436requires you to provide proof of your citizenship when registering as a voter. The Secretary of State’s Office determines what documentation is required to prove citizenship.

Further laws are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2025.

CAMPAIGN FINANCING

Law 664 / HB906: Makes changes to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Act 86/HB773: Includes a list of basic child support obligations.

Act 448 / HB770: Includes a list of basic child support obligations.

Act 515 / SB312: Provides the Adoption Awareness Act.

TRADE REGULATIONS

Act 656 / HB577: Prohibits social media companies from collecting data to target advertising to minors.

CHOOSE

Act 550/HB221: Provides information about recall requests.

ETHICS

Law 282 / SB30: Provides information regarding the annual financial disclosure statements of certain elected officials and officials.

HEALTH

Law 357 / SB463: Creates the Louisiana Dental Loss Ratios for Dental Healthcare Services Plans Act.

INSURANCE

Act 9/HB611: Provides information about home contents insurance and how to cancel certain policies.

Law 173 / SB 337: Offers a premium discount for certain military members.

Act 175 / SB 345: Provides for an extension of homeowners insurance premiums due.

LICENSING

Law 786 / HB679: Bidding relative to auctioneers.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Act 713 / HB596: Provides information regarding the election of Home Rule Charter Commissions.

Act 713 / HB596: Provides information regarding billing for services by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.

Act 414 / HB152: Provides in relation to a Community Development District in St. Tammany Parish.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Act 693 / HB376: Provides information on medical marijuana regulation.

MOTOR VEHICLES

Law 563 / HB494: Provides information about special ID cards for children.

WORK SAFETY

Act 516 / SB332: Abolishes the Professional License Review Commission. This eliminates the commission that supervised the licensing authorities.

PROPERTY

Law 158 / SB23: Provides the proposed community law.

STATE FUNDS

Law 723 / HB 786: Provides for the transfer, deposit and use of funds between state funds.

STEER

Law 578 / HB921: Restricts an appraiser’s determination of the fair market value of certain properties in certain circumstances.

SERVICES

Law 75/HB397: Contains information about the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law.