Thank you for contacting your legislators last week. Below we provide you with an update of activity on some bills of interest to PIA of Louisiana.

Key bills that advanced last week:

HB 423 by Rep. Melerine, which provides for payment of recoverable medical expenses from collateral sources, passed the House floor with 88 yeas to 10 nays. It is scheduled to be Senate Committee on Judiciary A. Passage of this bill would limit what the plaintiff actually pays in medical costs versus the amount billed. Exorbitant medical expenses a major driver of increased insurance rates.

HB 611 by Rep. Firment, which provides relative to homeowners' insurance and termination of certain policies, was read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage (72 y – 32 n). Finally passed, titled adopted, the bill is ordered to the Senate and is pending Senate introduction. This bill modifies the three year rule provisions, allowing for grandfathering of some policies, modification of deductible and no three year rule protection on writings effective on or after 08/01/2024. Up to 5% non-renewal effective 01/01/2025.

HB 613 by Rep. Firment, which provides relative to the ratemaking system utilized by insurers and rating organizations relative to rate filings, is pending Senate introduction after House final passage last week (85 yeas to 17 nays). This bill permits insurers to file and use rate, granting the commissioner of Insurance to disapprove rate within 30 days of implementation date.

SB 313 by Sen. Talbot, which provides the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation an exemption from liability for certain property insurance claims, was reported favorably in committee last week and is now pending Senate Floor action on Tuesday, April 2. This bill alleviates egregious litigation against Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

SB 323 by Sen. Talbot, which provides for fair claims processing, passed the Senate floor by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays. This is an important bill in addressing Louisiana's adverse insurance climate by streamlining claims processes and related time frames.

SB 355 by Sen. Stine, which provides for regulation of litigation funding by a third party that is a foreign person, state or wealth fund, was reported favorable with amendments out of Judiciary A and is pending Senate final passage and scheduled for Floor Debate Tuesday, April 2. This is one of a few bills this session that seeks to regulate litigation funding. Disclosure of litigation funding to courts is an important step in improving our state's insurance climate.

The following Department bills advanced out of House Insurance Committee last week:

HB 196 by Rep. Bamburg, which extends the insurance fraud investigation unit within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, was reported by substitute (13-0). Substitute adopted on the House Floor (became HB 790)

HB 304 by Rep. Braud, which extends the Sledge Jeansonne Louisiana Insurance Fraud Prevention Act, was reported by substitute (15-0). Substitute adopted on the House Floor (became HB 791)

HB311 by Rep. Hebert, which provides relative to examinations and certain adopted handbooks, was reported favorably with amendments in the House Insurance Committee (14-0) and is scheduled for floor debate on Tuesday, April 2.

HB 399 by Rep. Chance Henry, which provides for transmission of information relative to the Department of Insurance, was reported favorably with amendments in the House Insurance Committee (14-0) and is scheduled for floor debate on Tuesday, April 2.

HB 511 by Rep. Illg, which provides relative to uninsured motorists and certain policy forms, was reported favorably with amendments in the House Insurance Committee (15-0) and is pending House final passage. Proposed law requires insurers to retain a copy of uninsured motorist forms and prohibits insurers from delegating retention responsibilities to the producer of record.

HB 605 by Rep. Chance Henry, which provides relative to hearings and delivery of notices, was reported favorably in insurance committee (14-0) and is pending House final passage. Proposed law provides for electronic or physical delivery of notices for certain hearings and violations.

HB 609 by Rep. Firment, which provides for the appraisal process and employment of umpires, was reported favorably with amendments out of committee by a vote of 15 yeas to 0 nays, and it is now pending House action.

HB 678 by Rep. Firment, which provides relative to fair claims settlement practices, was voluntarily deferred by the author in committee last week.

Please continue to watch for correspondence from PIA of Louisiana and contact your staff, Jody Boudreaux or Natalie Cooper, or your PIA of Louisiana Governmental Affairs Committee with any questions or concerns.