Legislative Session Ends With Less Fanfare

Louisiana REALTORS • June 10, 2019

Written by Kim Callaway, Director of Legal & Governmental Affairs.

While previous sessions have ended with a bang and unfinished budgets, the 2019 Regular Legislative Session quietly ended Thursday, June 6 with a state budget passed with a few minutes to spare.  This is likely because legislators who are term limited are tired from a very long twelve years and those who will be running this fall did not wish to rock the boat in an election year.

Overall, the session only had a few hotly contested issues and fortunately those few issues did not include real estate related bills.  Louisiana REALTORS® will continue to advocate for legislation that benefits the real estate industry and property owners and to oppose legislation that would harm the real estate industry and property owners.

The following is a quick summary of legislation of interest to members of Louisiana REALTORS® with more detailed descriptions below:

Key items passed:   Laws beneficial to the appraisers and a law to help real estate associations offer timely and interesting courses for you to attend to meet your continuing education requirements

Key items prevented:   Attempts to allow local governments set homestead exemptions, a law to require owners of residential rental property to register the property with local governments for a fee, and a law to require a landlord wait longer to file to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent

Key items stalled:   Changes to the date a real estate license is renewed, the extension of a tax credit for rehabilitation of nonresidential historic structures, authorization of remote online notarization

BUT HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU AS A REALTOR®?  

Louisiana Real Estate Commission Related Bills

House Bill No. 299/Act 110, Representative Carmody

What:  A continuing education vendor will be able to bypass the standard continuing education course approval process and instead go directly to the Executive Director of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission to request approval for the class to be offered for continuing education credit if the course is:

(1)    A live course offered once a year in any one location and in conjunction with a conference, meeting, forum, or similar event held or sponsored by a state or local real estate trade association, or any affiliated Institute, Society, or Council.

(2)   Offered to obtain certifications or designations awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® or its affiliated institutes, societies, and councils.

A state entity can also use this simplified process in seeking approval of any course it would like to offer to real estate licensees for continuing education approval.

Position:  For

Status:   Signed by the Governor; effective August 1, 2019

Why:  The hope is that this fast track process will assist your state and local real estate associations in offering timely and interesting courses for you to attend to meet your continuing education requirements.

House Bill No. 353, Representative Emerson

What: This bill would have required a real estate licensee to renew his or her license with the Louisiana Real Estate Commission by October 31st.  If a licensee failed to renew by that time, he or she would have had a delinquent renewal two months prior to the expiration period. This would have then allowed any licensee who failed to timely renew two months to remedy the delinquency without the license being expired.

Position:  For

Status:  The bill failed to pass in the House Committee on Commerce. 

Why the Committee Did not Allow the Bill to Pass:   The committee members questioned whether there would be adequate time to notify licensees of the change and the wisdom of requiring the renewal by October 31 rather than July 1st or by the licensee’s birthday as required in other professions and occupations.

Why Louisiana REALTORS® Supported the Bill:  This would have allowed a real state licensee who failed to renew his or her real estate license with the Louisiana Real Estate Commission two months to remedy the delinquency without the license being expired. Louisiana REALTORS® supported this bill and will work with the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and legislators to find a solution to help the industry.

Appraisers

House Bill No. 340/Act No. 37, Representative Paul Hollis

What:  This will allow an appraiser to perform an evaluation on property for a federally insured depository institution if federal law or rule permits them to do so.

Status:  Signed by the Governor; effective August 1, 2019

Position:  For

Why:  The change will allow appraisers to perform services that they are currently prohibited from offering.

Senate Bill No. 191, Senator Norby Chabert

What:   Proposes time limitations in which appraisers can be sued for their work.  The limitation would not apply to any action filed prior to January 1, 2020 and the change would not be effective until January 1, 2020.

Status:   Sent to the Governor

Position:   For

Why:   Louisiana REALTORS® is in favor of this bill because its passage would allow for appraisers to have some certainty that they will not be sued for their work after a certain period of time.

Homestead Exemption

The Louisiana State Constitution currently includes an exemption from state, parish, and special ad valorem property taxes for the bona fide homestead of a property owner for the first $7,500 of assessed valuation ($75,000 of the fair market value). 

House Bill No. 12, Representative Steve Carter - DEFEATED

What:   This was a constitutional amendment that would have allowed each parish to set their homestead exemption lower than the current homestead exemption.

Status:   Failed to pass House Ways and Means Committee

Position:  Against

Why:  Louisiana REALTORS® believes that allowing each parish to set their own homestead exemption could lead to unpredictability for your clients and somewhat destabilize the real estate market.

if this bill had passed and voters approved the change in October, then each parish would then be able to vote to reduce their homestead exemption if the parish governing authority had put the issue on the ballot.

Buyers would not be able to predict their potential property tax bill with any certainty from year to year; therefore, potentially prohibiting them from purchasing a home or buying a smaller home to compensate for a possible spike in property taxes.  The real estate market may not be stable unless buyers know when they are negotiating home purchases that the homestead exemption will remain the same for a long period in the parish where they are contemplating purchasing a home. 

House Bill No. 439, Representative Barry Ivey - DEFEATED

What:  This bill proposed a constitutional amendment that would have allowed each parish to adjust the amount of the homestead exemption – higher or lower than the current exemption - if the voters in the parish approved of doing so. 

Status:   Pending in House Ways and Means Committee

Position:  Against

Why:  The same reasons House Bill No. 12 is opposed.

HB No. 439 by Representative Ivey proposed a constitutional amendment that would have allowed each parish to adjust the amount of the homestead exemption if the voters in the parish approved of doing so.  This bill was similar to House Bill No.12 but differed in that it would have allowed the homestead exemption to be set higher or lower in any parish.

Louisiana REALTORS® opposed this bill for the same reasons it opposed House Bill No. 12.

Rental and Landlord/Tenant

Senate Bill No. 218, Senator Barrow - DEFEATED

What:  This bill originally was filed to create a mechanism to address private property owners who operate group homes for members of the population who may be vulnerable.  The concept of the bill came about following the discovery of a group home in Baton Rouge where residents appeared to be severely neglected and showed signs of abuse.

However, the bill was amended in the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to be a bill that would have required a property owner to register “a residential dwelling from which the property owner receives payment from the occupants in return for occupying or using the property” with local government. 

The bill as amended in committee would have required each property owner to pay a registration fee of up to $500 (reduced by Senate Floor Amendment) to the local governing authority registering the property and if the owner failed to register the property then he or she would be assessed up to $150 per week (reduced by Senate Floor  Amendment) by the local governing entity. 

 In effect, this bill would have required local governments to establish rental registries.

Position:   Against with amendments

Status:   Senator Barrow stated that she will not bring the bill back up on the Senate floor and would continue to study the issue of group homes in the interim.

Why:   Louisiana REALTORS® opposed the amended bill for the following reasons:

·       Thousands of good landlords should not be punished for the actions of those who do not properly maintain their property or value their tenants.

·       A rental registry for all residential rental property would have been another layer of burdensome and unnecessary government overreach. 

·       This could have driven up rental rates resulting in fewer affordable housing units.

·       The fees proposed by this bill were excessive.

Senate Bill No. 28, Senator Price  - DEFEATED

What:  With committee amendments, the bill would have mandated residential landlords whose tenants did not timely pay rent to wait five days to institute eviction proceedings.

Position :  Against

Status :  Failed to move out of Senate Committee on Judiciary A

Why :  A mandated delay would have been onerous on landlords.  Each day a rental property is vacant, or a nonpaying tenant is residing in the property is a day the landlord is not producing income from the property.  This should be a contractual issue between a landlord and tenant.

Miscellaneous

House Bill No. 83, Representative Jimmy Harris

What:  This bill would have extended the sunset of the tax credit for rehabilitation of nonresidential historic structures to January 1, 2026 .  The tax credit for rehabilitation of nonresidential historic tax structures is now set to expire on January 1, 2022.  An amendment was added on the House Floor that would limit the amount of tax credits awarded in a calendar year to $150 million and providing for the awarding of the tax credits on a first come, first-serve basis.

Status:   Passed House, Pending Senate Finance

The bill did not pass due to the anticipated cost to the state.  The extension cannot be filed in the 2020 Regular Legislative Session because of the constitutional restriction on legislating pertaining to tax matters in an even numbered year.  However, a fiscal special session may be called in 2020 and if so, hopefully the credit will be extended then.

Position:  For

Why:  This program has helped preserve many historic buildings throughout Louisiana. 

The use of tax credits encourages private sector rehabilitation of historic buildings and is one of the most successful and cost-effective community revitalization programs. These programs generate jobs and create commercial, residential, and industrial spaces within historic buildings.

House Bill No. 514, Representative Garofalo

What:   This bill would have allowed for certain documents to be notarized remotely.  Remote online notarization is when documents are notarized in an electronic form where the signer uses an electronic signature and appears before the notary using online audio-video technology.

Status:   Reported out of House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure; was never heard on House floor

Position:   For

Why:   Remote online notarization is a tool which could modernize the sales transaction and allow for increased flexibility when it comes to closings. When implemented with appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy and security of consumers, online notarization results in a more accessible, streamlined, and verifiable way to have critical transactions notarized.

House Bill No.  317/Act No. 72, Representative Howard

What:  Authorizes the creation of a Louisiana REALTORS® special prestige license plate

The bill will allow a special prestige license plate to be made available for members of Louisiana REALTORS®.  All members will eventually be able to purchase the plate for their vehicle from the office of motor vehicles upon payment of their registration fee, an additional $10 annual fee that would benefit the Louisiana REALTORS® Relief Fund, and a $3.50 production fee.  However, it will likely be a few years before the plate will be available as the office of motor vehicles is undergoing a complete renovation of their motor vehicle registration system.

Status:   Signed by the Governor

Position :  For

Why :  Louisiana REALTORS® asked that this bill be filed so you can show your REALTOR® pride while also helping the Louisiana REALTORS® Relief Fund.

House Bill No. 372, “Omnibus Premium Reduction Act”, Representative Kirk Talbot

What:  House Bill No. 372 would have changed laws that govern many aspects of personal injury lawsuits in the hopes that the changes would have led to lower auto insurance rates for Louisiana individuals, families and businesses.

Status:   Failed to move out of Senate Committee on Judiciary A

In a recent survey of members of Louisiana REALTORS®, you told us that keeping up with technology was your biggest operational concern, but the top second and third concerns were the potential for litigation and insurance costs. If this bill would have become law, the hope was that your potential for litigation would be reduced and your insurance costs would have gone down. 

The issue of “civil justice reform” and changing laws to lower insurance rates is sure to be a campaign issue in this fall’s elections.

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Managing Multiple Pets? Here’s How Helps Spot Makes ItAffordable and Simple

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 1, 2026
Article provided through SPOT Pet Insurance partnership Caring for multiple pets can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also mean more vet visits, more surprise illnesses or injuries, and more financial planning. Spot Pet Insurance helps make protecting your entire household easier and more affordable. With Spot, pet parents get a 10% multi-pet discount on every additional pet after the first, plus the ability to customize coverage for each pet based on their individual needs. And to make life even simpler, all policies can be managed under one Spot account in the member center or app. Whether you have two energetic dogs, a pair of curious kittens, or a full house with pets of different ages and health needs, Spot gives pet parents an easy way to stay organized and confident about their pets’ care. Why Multi-Pet Insurance Matters for Pet Parents The Rising Cost of Veterinary Care for Multiple Pets If one pet has ever needed emergency care, you know how quickly veterinary bills can add up. Now imagine the possibility of two pets needing treatment in the same year—or even the same month. Multi-pet households can face higher odds of unexpected vet visits making coverage even more important. Pet insurance helps offset the cost of covered veterinary care, giving pet parents financial support when things don’t go as planned. Peace of Mind for Every Pet in Your Home Each pet has unique needs. Some may be seniors who require ongoing care, while others may be young, active, and prone to accidents. Spot allows every pet to have a plan tailored to them, helping give pet parents peace of mind no matter what comes up. Spot’s 10% Multi-Pet Discount: Savings That Add Up How Spot’s Multi-Pet Discount Works Spot offers a 10% discount on every additional pet after the first. That means the more pets you have, the more you can save—without sacrificing coverage. Whether you’re protecting two pets or five, Spot helps keep costs manageable. An Affordable Way to Protect Your Whole Pack Cats, dogs, or a mix of both—all pets qualify for the multi-pet discount. For households managing multiple personalities, energy levels, and health needs, these savings can make a big difference in long-term budgeting. Customizable Coverage for Every Pet’s Unique Needs Accident-Only and Accident & Illness Plans Accident-Only coverage for pets who simply need protection from mishaps Accident & Illness coverage for pets who could benefit from more extensive support This gives you flexibility, especially if one pet has existing health concerns while another is relatively low-risk. Tailor Each Plan with Adjustable Options Every Spot plan can be personalized with: Annual limit Annual deductible Reimbursement rate Optional preventive care add-ons This makes it easy to create a plan that helps fit each pet’s lifestyle—and your budget. Why Customizable Coverage Matters for Multi-Pet Households Different pets have different needs: Senior pets may need broader illness coverage Young pets might benefit more from accident-focused protection Active pets may need higher limits Indoor pets may require less coverage With Spot, every pet gets the coverage they need. Nothing more, nothing less. One Account, All Your Pets: Simple Multi-Pet Management Manage All Plans Under One Spot Account Instead of juggling multiple logins or losing track of policy documents, Spot lets pet parents manage every pet’s plan from a single account. You can: View coverage details Submit claims for each pet Track reimbursements Access policy documents anytime Everything is organized and easy to find. The Spot Pet Insurance App Makes It Even Easier The app puts all your pets’ information at your fingertips. In just a few taps, you can: File a claim for any of your pets Upload bills and photos Review claim updates Access plan summaries It’s simple, fast, and convenient—especially for households with more than one pet. No Network Restrictions for Any Pet Spot gives every pet the freedom to visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada. That includes primary vets, emergency clinics, and specialists. This is especially convenient if: You have a preferred clinic You travel frequently with your pets No networks. No referrals. Just easy access to care. Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Pet Insurance Do I need separate policies for each pet? Yes. Each pet gets their own plan, so coverage can be personalized for their needs. But you can manage all of your pets’ plans conveniently under one Spot account. How does the multi-pet discount work? Spot automatically applies a 10% discount to every additional pet after the first. This makes it more affordable to protect all your pets. Can I choose different coverage options for each pet? Yes. Spot allows you to choose either an accident-only or an accident and illness plan for each pet. You can adjust annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates individually. Can I file claims for all my pets in the same app or account? You can! All your pets’ plans are available within one account in the Spot member center or mobile app, making claim filing simple and organized. Does Spot have any network restrictions? No. You can visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist in the U.S. or Canada. Key Takeaway Spot Pet Insurance takes the stress out of managing multiple pets by offering customized plans, a 10% multi-pet discount, and easy account management. Every pet gets the coverage that fits them best, while pet parents enjoy a simple, organized way to handle all their plans in one place. Affordable, flexible, and convenient—Spot helps you protect your entire household with confidence. Paula Gil, Author If you need a story or someone to talk to your cat like a person, I’m your person. With 3 cats, 1 dog, and a lifetime of pets, I write from experience, usually with a cat on my keyboard and a dog in my lap.

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 12 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • May 29, 2026
Louisiana REALTORS® closed out Week 12 of the 2026 Regular Session in the final push toward sine die, with several priority bills either crossing the finish line, landing on the Governor’s desk, or moving through the last major stage of session. The headline for the association is a major win on HB 468 by Rep. Troy Hebert, the residential wholesaling bill, which cleared conference committee with the fixes Louisiana REALTORS® was seeking and was scheduled for final House action on May 29. With the constitutional deadline for third reading and final passage falling on Friday, May 29, and sine die adjournment set for Monday, June 1, the last hours of session became decisive for the remaining bills still in motion. The lead priority remained HB 468 , which is the flagship Louisiana REALTORS® package bill on residential wholesaling. After the House rejected Senate amendments 91-0 on May 20, the bill moved into conference committee rather than dying. House conferees were named as Rep. Troy Hebert, Rep. Phillip Deshotel, and Rep. Jacob Landry, while Senate conferees were named as Sen. Miller, Sen. Allain, and Sen. Connick. The conference committee report was received by both chambers on May 27, and the bill was then scheduled for final House action on May 29. This remains one of the most important bills of the session for the real estate industry because it creates a clearer regulatory framework for residential wholesaling, strengthens consumer protections, and gives the Louisiana Real Estate Commission enforcement authority over the practice. The session also produced a strong slate of enacted real estate, housing, and property-management wins. HB 1027 , the appraiser liability bill, was signed by the Governor as Act No. 187 on May 15 and becomes effective August 1, 2026. HB 292 , dealing with security deposits, was signed as Act No. 63 on May 11 and also becomes effective August 1, 2026. HB 297, expanding lease termination protections for stalking and cyberstalking victims, was signed as Act No. 64 on May 11. HB 300 , dealing with appraisal thresholds for bank-owned property, was signed as Act No. 149 on May 15. Taken together, these measures represent meaningful wins for appraisal certainty, leasing, property management, and transaction stability. Several additional REALTOR®-relevant measures cleared the Legislature and moved to the Governor’s desk by the close of Week 12. HB 1166 by Rep. Kim Carver, the vacant residential property disclosure bill, passed the Senate 38-0 on May 25 and was sent to the Governor on May 27. This is one of the most important real estate bills of the session because it closes an existing gap in Louisiana law for vacant residential properties and should help reduce late-stage surprises involving condition issues, access, utility status, and other material facts that can derail transactions. HB 1187 , dealing with Louisiana Citizens emergency assessments, was sent to the Governor on May 26 and remains an important insurance-affordability measure for homeowners across the state. HB 217 , the optional blight rehabilitation tax exemption bill, was sent to the Governor on May 21 and, together with HB 214 , strengthens the redevelopment toolkit for returning derelict property to commerce. On the constitutional amendment side, Louisiana REALTORS® also saw meaningful progress on broader property-tax and redevelopment issues. HB 214 , authorizing a property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict properties, became Act No. 272 and was sent to the Secretary of State for placement on the ballot. SB 180, allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a service-connected disability to transfer an expanded property tax exemption, became Act No. 39 and was likewise sent to the Secretary of State for ballot placement. These measures remain relevant to neighborhood revitalization, property-tax fairness, and broader housing stability across Louisiana. Insurance and mitigation policy continued to matter through the final days of session. HB 759 , relating to fortified roof endorsement offers, remained alive on the Senate floor subject to call and needed final Senate passage by the May 29 deadline to survive. That bill remained important because fortified roof policy sits directly at the intersection of mitigation, homeowner resilience, and insurance affordability. At the same time, slower-moving insurance measures such as HB 408 on non-renewal protections for homeowners who timely mitigate and HB 1210 on pre-suit claim review for residential property insurance did not advance this session, but both remain relevant to the longer-term insurance affordability discussion. Week 12 also highlighted the value of Louisiana REALTORS®’s defensive work. HB 617, the hidden-fees bill, stalled in Senate Commerce and effectively ran out of time. That was a meaningful defensive win, as the concern throughout was that broad fee-disclosure language could have unfairly placed liability on real estate professionals for charges they do not control, including fees set by lenders, title companies, insurers, government entities, and other third parties. HB 472 , the rent stabilization bill, remained dead after being involuntarily deferred, which is another meaningful win from a property-rights and housing-supply standpoint, though similar language always remains worth watching late in session. HB 750, dealing with automatic renewal contracts, remained alive on the Senate floor subject to call and continued to require defensive monitoring so that broad subscription language would not bleed into leases, property management agreements, association dues, or nonprofit and association activity. The broader civil justice and cost environment also remained part of the policy picture, even where bills stalled. HB 437 , dealing with expert witness fees, and HB 1089 , dealing with CARE Accounts, both passed the House but stalled in Senate Judiciary A. While they did not advance this session, they remain part of the larger conversation around litigation costs, insurance affordability, and the long-term cost structure affecting property owners, housing providers, and small businesses. The bottom line for the 2026 session is that it was a strong one for Louisiana REALTORS®. The association’s flagship wholesaling bill, HB 468 , cleared conference committee with the fixes we wanted and moved to final House action. Four major REALTOR®-relevant bills were already enacted into law: HB 1027, HB 292, HB 297, and HB 300 . Two property-tax constitutional amendments, HB 214 and SB 180 , are headed to the ballot. Three additional bills, HB 1166, HB 1187, and HB 217 , reached the Governor’s desk. On defense, rent stabilization was stopped, the hidden-fees bill stalled, and problematic consumer language in other measures was monitored closely through the final days of session. Louisiana REALTORS® remained engaged through the end on every issue affecting real estate transactions, mortgages and lending, insurance affordability, property management, private property rights, blight and redevelopment, property taxes, and housing supply across Louisiana.

Next Fortify Homes Lottery Goes Live June 1 as Program Expands to New Parishes

By Louisiana REALTORS® • May 27, 2026
From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: During a press conference today with Governor Jeff Landry, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced that registration for the next round of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 1, and will include 3,000 grants. The registration period for this lottery will be open for three weeks, closing at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19.  During the press conference, Gov. Landry signed HB 1187 by Rep. Paul Sawyer, which will allow Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to transfer $50 million in additional Katrina bond assessment funds to the LFHP. Combined with the $30 million in funding the program will receive through taxes and fees on insurance entities, the LFHP will receive a total of $80 million this year. “By lowering overall losses, we can reduce insurance and reinsurance costs, draw more insurers into the market, motivate existing companies to write additional policies and lower insurance premiums,” said Commissioner Temple. “That is exactly what the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is designed to do.” The list of coastal parishes that are eligible to participate is expanding to include Acadia, Jefferson Davis and Lafayette parishes. Additionally, homeowners who live in the portions of Ascension, Calcasieu, Iberia, Livingston, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Vermilion parishes that were previously not included in the program will now be eligible to participate. A map showing the full list of eligible parishes is available on FortifyHomes.La.Gov . “Louisiana is the fastest growing state in the country for Fortified roofs, and that growth is not by accident—it is the result of strong support from Governor Landry and legislators like Chairman Talbot, Chairman Firment and Representative Sawyer, targeted program design, and a clear recognition that strengthening homes is one of the most effective ways to reduce insurance losses,” said Commissioner Temple. “At the end of the day, this program is about more than just roofs. It is about protecting families, it is about strengthening communities, and it is about putting Louisiana in a stronger position—both physically and economically—to face the challenges ahead.” To participate in the lottery, homeowners must register during the June registration period. Homeowners who registered for a previous round but were not selected must register again to participate. People who register on the last day of the registration period have the same chance of being selected as those who register on the first day, so there is no need to rush to register as soon as the period opens. When registering, homeowners will need to upload their homestead exemption, insurance policy declarations page that includes wind coverage, and flood insurance declarations page if the residence is in a flood zone. Homeowners who need assistance obtaining a copy of their homestead exemption should contact their parish tax assessor. Homeowners can contact their homeowners and flood insurance companies or agents for a copy of their policy declarations page. Homeowners are required to create a profile in the LFHP system before registering for the lottery and may do so by visiting the LFHP website and clicking the Login button. Homeowners who previously created a profile may use the same one for this and future rounds. Once the lottery registration period closes, the LFHP will randomly select 3,000 participants and send email notifications to registrants about whether they were selected to participate. These selection notices will be sent via email beginning on Monday, June 22. There are several program requirements that homeowners should be aware of before registering. Those interested in the program are encouraged to review eligibility information and frequently asked questions at FortifyHomes.La.Gov to determine whether their home meets the requirements for the program. If selected to participate in the grant program, homeowners will be financially responsible for having the home evaluated by a FORTIFIED-certified Evaluator as well as costs for the roof upgrade including permits, inspections and construction costs beyond the amount of the grant The LFHP provides grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners to upgrade their roofs to standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. The program helps Louisiana homeowners strengthen their roofs to better withstand hurricane-force winds.
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