LR Session Scoop: Wrap Up

Louisiana REALTORS • June 16, 2021

The 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session ended Thursday, June 10th. We are happy to report that the real estate industry saw great success. We defeated an attempt to implement a state property tax, no attempts were made to place a sales tax on your commission, and your right to remain an independent contractor under state law is still valid. Kim Callaway, Director of Legal & Governmental Affairs, is here to share some highlights with you. Below, you will also find summaries of key legislation that pertain to your real estate practice.


Looking for more information on Session as a whole?

Click here to check out commentary on other items of interest provided by Jim Harris with Harris, Deville, & Associates.

LICENSING

House Bill No. 258 by Representative Kathy Edmonston

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: Sent to the Governor

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 as of January 1st.  This leaves them without E&O insurance for that time and makes them ineligible to receive commissions during the time they are not licensed.

LEASE

House Bill No. 374 by Representative Royce Duplessis

What: This would require landlords to give written notice to prospective tenants that they are allowed to submit statements regarding financial hardships experienced following a declared disaster. The legislation also requires that the language on the notice reference COVID-19 and hurricanes.

Status: Sent to the Governor

Position: Monitor

Why: Louisiana REALTORS® worked with the author and the Apartment Association to come to a consensus on this bill as the original version was unworkable. 

House Bill No. 375, Act No. 1, by Representative Aimee Freeman

What: This legislation will allow a lessee who is a victim of sexual assault to receive an early termination on a lease agreement within 30 days (on a mutually agreed-upon date) with provision of certain documentation and adherence to strict minimum requirements.

Status: Signed by the Governor

Position: Monitor

Why: The Apartment Association worked very closely with the author and in consultation with Louisiana REALTORS® to ensure that this legislation accomplished the author’s and proponent’s goals without imposing undue burdens on property rights.

PARTITIONS

House Bill No. 400, Act No. 27 by Representative Jean-Paul Coussan

What: If a co-owner is absent or has not consented to a private sale, the court now will have to prioritize a private sale to co-owners over licitation or private sales to third parties. Also, in these instances the sales price cannot be less than the appraised value rather than the previous law requirement of 2/3rds of the appraised value.

Status: Signed by the Governor; Act No. 27

Position: Monitor

Why:  This act makes improvements to our partition laws that have previously have not prioritized the rights of co-owners not wishing to sell inherited property.

House Bill No. 201 by Representative Greg Miller

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: Enrolled; Governor not required to sign

Position: Support

Why:  For the past 100 years, middle- to low-income families have lost inherited family property and the chance to build generational wealth because Louisiana laws on court-ordered sales of co-owned property only allowed courts to divide the property up or sell it in a process that is essentially an auction.


REALTOR® Champions Representatives Alan Seabaugh and Jean Paul Coussan authored legislation in 2020 and 2021 that have vastly improved these laws, but there is still work to be done.


For example, almost 20 states adopted the Uniform Partition of Heir’s Property Act which mandates court-ordered sales of property in partition actions to be accomplished by using the services of a licensed real estate agent.


With this instrument, experts will study how Louisiana can retain its civil law traditions and adopt provisions of this uniform act in the hopes that a path forward can be found to adopt key provisions of the uniform act that require open and transparent sales methods that maximize dollars received by those who are ordered by a court to sell their property.

INSURANCE

House Bill No. 577 by Representative Scott McKnight

What: This legislation promotes the writing of private flood insurance in Louisiana.

Status: Signed by the Governor, Act No. 77

Position: Monitor

Why:  The Louisiana Department of Insurance reports that House Bill No. 577 would expand flood insurance choices for consumers beyond the National Flood Insurance Program and make it easier for private carriers to write flood insurance in Louisiana.

House Bill No. 451, Act No. 30 by Representative Paula Davis

What: Beginning in July of 2022, insurers will be permitted to give discounts and insurance rate reductions, if actuarially justified, 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.

MISCELLANEOUS

House Bill No. 437 by Representative Foy Gadberry

What: This legislation would require a properly registered certified building inspector to conduct and be on site of inspections of any commercial or residential structure. In short, this would prohibit certified building inspectors to conduct inspections on applications such as Zoom or FaceTime.

Status: Sent to the Governor

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. 

House Bill No. 348 by Representative Mary DuBuisson

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.

Status: Sent to the Governor

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.

House Bill No. 648 by Daryl Deshotel

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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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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