LR Session Scoop: Week 7-8

Louisiana REALTORS • June 7, 2021

Updated on 6/7/2021 at 3:00 PM


The 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session must adjourn sine die by Thursday, June 10th by 6:00 p.m. – meaning that this session must end by then. 


Louisiana REALTORS® continues to monitor all legislation, as the last few days is when all the things that legislators were not able to pass begin to show up as amendments on other instruments.


House Bill No. 258, by Representative Kathy Edmonston, unanimously passed the Senate and will soon be presented to Governor Edwards. If you recall, this is the bill that will move your real estate license renewal up to September 30th and a late renewal by December 31st beginning in 2022. 


On the partition front, Representative Greg Miller, chairman of the House Committee on Civil Law, filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 86 to direct the Louisiana Law Institute to study the partition of property owned in indivision was unanimously reported out of the Senate Judiciary A Committee and will be heard on the Senate floor this week.

View Bill Tracking Report

REAL ESTATE LICENSE RENEWAL

House Bill No. 258 by Representative Kathy Edmonston (updated 6/7/21)

What Would Change: This bill would move the renewal date of a real estate license up to September 30th. The change would take place in 2022 for your 2023 license renewal. Rather than a license renewal being “delinquent” after the license expires, the renewal would be delinquent three months prior to the license’s expiration.

What Would Stay the Same: License expiration and errors and omissions insurance expiration would remain December 31st. The deadline for completion of continuing education would remain December 31st. All renewal and delinquency fees would remain the same.

Status: Signed by the President

Position: Support

Why:  Passage of this bill would help ensure that all REALTORS® were properly licensed and insured as of January 1st.


Currently, licensees have the first quarter of the following year to delinquently renew their licenses leaving those who do not renew before December 31st technically unlicensed and uninsured as of January 1st.


LREC states that licensees who currently renew delinquently after the December 31st license expiration generally have a “lapse in coverage” of their E & O insurance. On “Claims Made” E & O policies, any lapse in coverage forfeits coverage for prior acts of licensees and potential consumer recoveries.


This change would ensure that renewals occur timely and that licensees are properly licensed and insured by the beginning of the year rather than a fourth of the way into it. 


Amendments were adopted in the House Commerce Committee that would also give a one-month grace period in 2023 to renew in January and to clarify that continuing education requirements would remain on a calendar year.

PARTITIONS

HCR No. 86 by Representative Greg Miller (updated 6/7/21)

What: Directs the Louisiana Law Institute to study the partition of property owned in indivision and how partition impacts heirs' property to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the rights and duties required by owners in indivision of property.

Status: Pending Senate Final Passage

Position: Support

Why:  Current partition laws often lead to situations where middle- to low-income families lose inherited family property.


The Uniform Law Commission has a set of uniform laws many states have adopted to address this issue, but this is one area of law where a uniform set of laws is not possible due to Louisiana’s civil law tradition.


This does not mean the goals and principles put forth in the uniform law cannot be accomplished – it just means it must be studied a bit before attempting it so there are minimal unintended consequences. The Louisiana Law Institute, an extension of the Louisiana Legislature, is the appropriate body to conduct this study.


Louisiana REALTORS® supports efforts to change our partition laws to see that those who co-own property receive maximum value for their property in judicially ordered sales and that those sales are open and transparent. Louisiana REALTORS® is working to bring together Louisiana Appleseed, the Louisiana Farm Bureau, and the Louisiana Land Title Association on this issue to make improvements.

PROPERTY

House Bill No. 400, Act No. 27 by Representative Jean-Paul Coussan (updated 6/7/21)

What: HB No. 400 provides that partitions for private sales among co-owners be for not less than the appraised value rather than not less than 2/3 value of the appraised value.

Status: Signed by the Governor, Act No. 27

Position: Monitor

Why:  This will provide property owners assurance that they would receive a fair price for their property should it go to sale in connection with a partition action.

House Bill No. 348 by Representative Mary DuBuisson (updated 6/7/21)

What: This bill would require that the reading aloud of the description of a piece of property at a sheriff’s sale be done so in such sufficiency to reasonably provide notice to the public of the property being offered for sale.

Status: Passed the Senate

Position: Support

Why:  The average property owner or purchaser does not know the lot number, lot lines, filing number, etc. of property, but they do know the address and neighborhood where the property is located. If adopted, this would assist property owners and purchasers to know with greater certainty what property is being sold at a sheriff’s sale.

GENERAL

House Bill No. 451, Act No. 30 by Representative Paula Davis (updated 6/7/21)

What: Beginning in July of 2022, insurers will be authorized to give discounts and insurance rate reductions for residential and commercial building insurance policies if the structure is certified as in conformance with the fortified home or commercial standards after inspection and certification by an Institute for Business and Home Safety certified inspector.

Status: Signed by the Governor; Act No. 30

Position: Support

Why:  Retrofitting one’s property to these standards is costly but may help reduce repair costs following wind events. Insurance companies should recognize the costs incurred by property owners in taking these steps to protect their insured property and provide discounts and credits for doing so.

House Bill No. 437 by Representative Foy Gadberry (updated 6/7/21)

What: This bill would require a properly registered certified building inspector to conduct all inspections of any commercial or residential structure and shall be present on site for such inspections. Therefore, this would prohibit virtual code inspections.

Status: Pending Senate Final Passage

Position: Support

Why:  The Louisiana Uniform Construction Code was put in place to ensure that structures are built and remodeled in a safe and structurally sound manner. To ensure this continues, it is imperative that code inspectors be able to physically inspect a structure. Virtual inspections do not provide for the same level of scrutiny as physical inspections do. The Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs Committee adopted an amendment that would clarify that the law would be for the purposes of code enforcement only.

House Bill No. 199 by Speaker Schexnayder (updated 6/7/21)

 What: Louisiana’s current legal structure permits multiple entities to collect sales and use taxes from businesses. This requires businesses to remit these taxes to multiple entities all with their unique systems and quirks. This legislation would create the State and Local Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Commission, comprised of equal representation of local and state appointees to act as the single collector for Louisiana and to simplify processes for businesses.

Status: To be considered by voters statewide on October 9th

Position: Support

Why:   In almost every other state, sales and use taxes are collected at the state level and then remitted to local government. Louisiana does this the other way around. Our system is burdensome for businesses because taxes are collected at multiple points all with unique policies and procedures that then expose businesses to multiple annual business audits.


This leaves companies working and paying more to implement systems to pay their taxes in Louisiana than they do in other states.  It is important that we transition our system of sales and use tax collection to be more compatible with the way business is done in the twenty-first century if we want our economy and real estate markets to expand.

LEASE

House Bill No. 374 by Representative Royce Duplessis (updated 6/7/21)

What: This would require landlords to allow for statements to be submitted regarding financial hardships following a declared disaster and require that the language on the application reference COVID-19 and hurricanes.

Status: Sent to the Governor

Position: Monitor

Update: Louisiana REALTORS® met with Representative Duplessis and other interested stakeholders on Thursday, April 29th in an effort reach a consensus on how to reach the author and proponent’s goal of allowing applicants who have been adversely impacted by disasters to inform potential landlords of this through the application process. Amendments were adopted on the House floor to reflect discussions and Louisiana REALTORS® thanks Representative Duplessis for working with all stakeholders.

Why:  The bill will allow prospective tenants to inform landlords of hardships they may have suffered during COVID-19 and after storms. The hope is that landlords will take a second look at prospective tenants’ applications and maybe give them a second chance. All requirements to adopt and post application screening processes, disclose the amount of “screening charges”, and inform applicants of credit reporting rights were removed from the bill.

BROADBAND

House Bill No. 648 by Daryl Deshotel (updated 6/7/21)

What:

The bill would establish the "Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities" grant program for areas with low internet connectivity to be able to access dollars to improve connectivity.

Status: Passed the Senate

Position: Support

Why:  Louisiana REALTORS® now more than ever rely on streaming video and virtual tours to assist clients in buying and selling property. REALTORS® need high-speed internet to do this and their clients need high-speed internet to telework, access virtual classrooms, and access telemedicine. REALTORS® know that affordable high-speed broadband is almost as necessary as water and electricity because their clients are demanding it. This is why Louisiana REALTORS® supports efforts to improve internet service in Louisiana.

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 8 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • May 1, 2026
Week 8 was one of the most consequential weeks of the session so far for Louisiana REALTORS® and the real estate industry. Two of the association’s flagship bills moved to the brink of final Senate action, rent stabilization was stopped again in committee, major insurance legislation continued to advance, and several bills affecting property rights, tort reform and transaction practice saw meaningful movement. The biggest developments of the week came on HB 468 and HB 1027 , both by Rep. Troy Hebert . HB 468 , the residential wholesaling bill, cleared the Senate Commerce Committee on April 28, had its amendments adopted on April 29, and was referred to the Legislative Bureau putting it one step away from the Senate floor. HB 1027 , the appraiser liability bill, followed the same path after its overwhelming House passage earlier this month and is also now pending Legislative Bureau review before final Senate consideration. Louisiana REALTORS® strongly supports both measures, which are designed to strengthen consumer protection, improve market clarity and reinforce confidence in the real estate transaction process. On the rent-control front, HB 472 by Rep. Alonzo Knox was brought back before the House Municipal, Local and Parochial Affairs Committee this week. Louisiana REALTORS® testified in opposition, and the committee voted 8-5 to defer the bill involuntarily. That is a meaningful win for property owners, housing providers, and the long-term health of Louisiana’s housing market. Louisiana REALTORS® remains firmly opposed to rent stabilization proposals, which may sound politically attractive, but have consistently been tied to reduced housing supply, deterioration in rental stock and long-term affordability problems in markets where they are adopted. Insurance remained one of the session’s most active and important policy areas. HB 1187, Rep. Paul Sawyer , dealing with Louisiana Citizens for emergency assessments, passed the full House 87-9 on April 29, and now heads to the Senate. Because Citizens' assessments can ultimately affect policyholders across the state, this bill has clear relevance for affordability and homeownership costs. HB 408, Rep. Edmond Jordan was heard in House Insurance Committee this week and remains pending. This bill would prohibit insurers from non-renewing residential policies when homeowners have taken documented steps to reduce risk, an issue with direct implications for insurability and failed closings in vulnerable markets. In addition, SB 241 by Sen. Valarie Hodges , which requires insurance adjusters and appraisers to include their license numbers in written communications, cleared House Insurance unanimously and is now headed to the House floor. Taken together, these measures reflect the legislature’s continued focus on insurance stability, transparency and accountability, all of which remain central to real estate activity in Louisiana. Week 8 also brought movement on broader tort reform and property-rights-related legislation. HB 437 , addressing expert witness fees, and HB 1089 , creating structured CARE Accounts for tort damages, both cleared House Civil Law and are now set for House floor debate next week. Meanwhile, SB 180 by Sen. Franklin Foil , allowing surviving spouses of disabled veterans to transfer a property tax exemption, is nearing final House passage after advancing to third reading. While not all of these bills directly regulate licensees, they reflect the broader civil liability and property tax environment that affects the cost and accessibility of owning property in Louisiana. Another key bill for the industry, HB 1166 by Rep. Kim Carver , remains very much alive and is now positioned for House floor debate on Tuesday, May 5 . The bill would require disclosures for vacant residential property, and it would close an existing gap in Louisiana law that currently exempts many vacant homes from standard seller disclosure rules. After being called and returned to the calendar earlier in the week, the bill is now finally set for debate. Louisiana REALTORS® also intends to use the bill as a vehicle for a structural amendment to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission that would move toward a more geographically balanced appointment process, with one member appointed from each congressional district and the remaining members appointed at large. That change would better ensure regional representation across Louisiana’s diverse real estate markets and help modernize the commission’s structure. Taken together, week 8 was a strong and consequential week for Louisiana REALTORS®. The association’s two flagship bills are now within reach of Senate floor passage, rent stabilization was turned back in committee, important insurance legislation continued moving, and HB 1166 remains positioned as both a major disclosure bill and a possible vehicle for meaningful LREC reform. Louisiana REALTORS® remains fully engaged at every stage of the process to protect private property rights, support practical regulation and advance policies that strengthen Louisiana’s real estate market. Lastly, this week, Louisiana REALTORS® wants to extend sincere thanks to Rep. Delisha Boyd — a real estate broker herself — for her tireless work shepherding HB 292 through the legislative process. The security deposit fairness bill, which allows landlords and tenants to mutually agree in writing to extend the timeline for returning a security deposit when damage is found, has passed to third reading and final passage in the Senate and is nearly on its way to the Governor's desk. This has been a meaningful win for both property owners and renters across Louisiana. Please view the weekly bill tracking report provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
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By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 24, 2026
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2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 7 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 24, 2026
Week seven of the 2026 Regular Session was one of the most active weeks yet for legislation affecting the real estate industry. Louisiana REALTORS® remained heavily engaged as lawmakers advanced bills dealing with property disclosures, appraiser liability, rent regulation, insurance, blight, redevelopment and other issues that directly affect real estate professionals, property owners and consumers across the state. One of the most important bills this week was HB 1166 by Rep. Kim Carver , which would require disclosures for vacant residential property. The bill was reported from House Commerce with amendments on a 14-0 vote and then amended on the House floor, ordered engrossed, and passed to third reading. Louisiana REALTORS® testified on the bill in committee and worked closely with the author to better posture the legislation. Amendments advanced by our team were accepted by the author, helping improve the bill while preserving a practical disclosure framework that increases transparency without creating unnecessary confusion in the transaction process. Another closely watched issue this week was consumer-fee disclosure legislation. HB 617 by Rep. Mandie Landry moved this week, advancing from House Commerce and then the House floor, while HB 580 , another hidden-fee disclosure bill touching real estate transactions, remains pending. Louisiana REALTORS® is opposed to these measures in their current form to the extent they apply to real estate professionals because they are not well-tailored to the realities of real estate transactions, where many costs are negotiated, variable or controlled by third parties. Louisiana REALTORS® testified in opposition to the bills we oppose and is actively working with the author to better posture the legislation and remove real estate professionals from its scope altogether. On HB 472 by Rep. Alonzo Knox , the rent stabilization bill, the author is expected to try to bring the measure back before the committee next week with amendments. Even so, Louisiana REALTORS® remain opposed to the bill on principle. Price gouging is already illegal under existing law, and government-imposed rent regulation is not the right answer to housing affordability challenges. Louisiana REALTORS® testified in opposition to the bill and continues to oppose the measure because policies like this risk discouraging investment, reducing housing supply, and creating further market distortions rather than solving the underlying problem. HB 468 by Rep. Troy Hebert , which regulates the wholesale of residential real property, remains pending in the Senate Commerce Committee and continues to be an important bill for the industry. Likewise, HB 1027 by Rep. Troy Hebert , dealing with appraiser liability, had a strong week, passing the House 90-0 and moving to the Senate. Both measures are significant because they promote greater clarity, consumer protection and confidence in the real estate marketplace. Blight and redevelopment issues also remained active. HB 284 by Rep. John Wyble , which would allow certain local governments to expropriate blighted property through a declaration-of-taking process, remains subject to call and continues to raise serious concerns about private property rights. By contrast, HB 214 and HB 217 by Rep. Chance Henry , which create tax incentives for the rehabilitation of blighted property, represent a more constructive redevelopment approach by encouraging reinvestment rather than expanding government taking authority. Insurance legislation also remained a major focus this week, with multiple bills heard that could affect homeownership costs, market stability and post-storm recovery. Measures dealing with Louisiana Citizens assessments, pre-suit insurance claim review, the Fortified Homes Program and insurance market transparency all carry real implications for affordability and transaction viability. In Louisiana, insurance remains one of the most important issues affecting the real estate market, and Louisiana REALTORS® continues to closely track that legislation. Taken together, week seven showed that Louisiana REALTORS® remains actively engaged where it matters most: supporting practical transaction standards, protecting private property rights, testifying for and against legislation when necessary, pushing back on unworkable regulation and rent-control-style policies, and advancing policies that strengthen housing opportunity and market stability across Louisiana. Please view the weekly bill tracking report provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
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