Blog Layout
2017 Legislative Session Begins
LOUISIANA REALTORS • April 10, 2017
The Louisiana Legislature convened today, Monday, April 10th. The major focus of the 60-day session will be on the budget deficit facing the state. Tax measures, budget bills, criminal justice reform and TOPS issues will be discussed and debated. Louisiana REALTORS® will be heavily engaged on several tax measures and other bills to ensure the real estate industry and its members are not negatively impacted.
Each week, we will update the membership on legislative activities. This first edition provides a general overview of several bills that have been filed and limited information on the governor’s tax proposals. Most of the tax measures have not been filed yet, so specifics are not available at this time. On April 18, a team of members will review all legislation filed and take positions on these measures.
TAX PROPOSALS BEING DISCUSSED:
Sales Tax on Services Proposal – This proposal would expand the sales tax to include professional services, including services to immovable property. This tax puts an additional sales tax on any services related to the industry, such as appraisals, pest control services, surveying, landscape and lawn maintenance, and extends to the remodeling, renovation and repair of immovable property.
Corporate Tax Proposal – This proposal seeks to eliminate some existing taxes on corporations and creates a new gross receipts tax calculated based on company gross profits. This proposal is being modeled off the state of Ohio model, but the specific details for how it is being proposed in Louisiana have yet to be released. The rate, kinds of receipts to be counted and types of businesses are all important factors. The impact of this tax, while claiming a broad base and low rate, will vary depending on the company and its gross profits. But our early estimates predict an increase in taxes for broker owners and agents.
OTHER BILLS:
Senate Bill 108 by Senator Bodi White
This Louisiana REALTORS®-supported legislation will require out-of-state licensees doing business in Louisiana to either become licensed in the state or co-broke with a Louisiana licensee when conducting business in the state. The legislation provides for a misdemeanor penalty for those who violate this section of the law.
Senate Bill 120 by Senator. Rick Ward
The Louisiana Law Institute is recommending changes to the Louisiana residential leasing laws. The Louisiana REALTORS® legal counsel is reviewing the legislation as are several residential leasing specialists.
House Bill 469 by Representative Reid Falconer
This legislation amends the Louisiana condominium laws and will specifically require all unit owners to carry property and liability insurance on their respective owned units.
Senate Bill 205 by Senator Morrell
This legislation would require the Louisiana Real Estate Commission to refer all investigative complaints to the Division of Administrative Law Judge for final decisions. This legislation would considerably increase costs for the commission with attorney fees and for potential damages should they lose the case. Also, many times these law judges are not experts in immovable property issues.
Senate Bill 236 by Senator Eric LaFleur
This legislation seeks to implement uniform real estate and other document fees filed with the clerks of court. The Louisiana REALTORS® and many in the land title industry are reviewing the legislation.
For information or clarification on any issues during the legislative session please contact: Norman Morris, CEO
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on preparing for homeownership. This guide covers what prospective buyers should consider as they kick off the home purchase process, including the importance of credit scores, mortgage pre-approval, down payments, budgeting, and educational resources. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Preparing for Homeownership Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with potential clients to ensure they have the information they need to be successful in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property taxes.
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on escrow. This guide covers what homebuyers should know about earnest money deposits, including the general terms and use cases in real estate transactions. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Flood Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover preparing prospective buyers for homeownership.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will conduct several elections this Spring. Interested candidates that meet the qualification who are looking to serve at either the state association level or the national association level are encouraged to view the criteria and submit an application. An application that is not submitted on the appropriate form or not submitted pursuant to the instructions shall not be considered as submitted timely.
821 Main StreetBaton Rouge, LA 70802
821 Main Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802