National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Risk Rating 2.0

Louisiana REALTORS • July 20, 2020

Louisiana REALTORS® Discusses Risk Rating 2.0 with NFIP Chief Executive

Louisiana REALTORS® was one of three state associations invited to meet and discuss Risk Rating 2.0 with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Chief Executive David Maurstad during the National Association of REALTORS® Fall Conference and Expo that took place in San Francisco, CA in November 2019. This effort is part of the ongoing work and relationship with our U.S. Congressional delegation regarding the NFIP. 

Risk Rating 2.0 is the NFIP’s redesign of “its risk rating system by leveraging industry best practices and current technology to deliver rates that are fairer, easier to understand, and better reflect a property’s unique flood risk.” This redesign will likely result in changes to flood insurance rates nationwide. 

The new rates for single-family residences were initially set to go into effect on October 1, 2020, but minutes prior to Louisiana REALTORS’ meeting with Mr. Maurstad it was announced that the new rates wouldn't go into effect until October 1, 2021. FEMA attributed the postponement to the need for additional time “to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the proposed rating structure so as to protect policyholders and minimize any unintentional negative effects of the transition.” 

Despite the announcement of the delay in implementation, the meeting with Mr. Maurstad and his team went forward as planned. In attendance were your 2019 Louisiana REALTORS® officers: Logan Morris, Evelyn Wolford, and Mark Ouchley. Following the meeting LR learned ours was the most productive of the three. The success of Louisiana REALTORS’ meeting was your officers’ ability to diplomatically express Louisiana REALTORS’ concerns and skepticism about Risk Rating 2.0’s while at the same time cementing a partnership with NFIP to ensure you and your clients are prepared for its implementation. 

The first step with this was submitting Louisiana specific questions to FEMA about Risk Rating 2.0.  Louisiana REALTORS® will continue to communicate with FEMA about information that was not available at the time this response was received and as FEMA conducts the analysis that was announced following the postponement of the Risk Rating 2.0 implementation.

Louisiana REALTORS® also connected with the Louisiana Governor’s Office on Coastal Activities to provide you with information about Risk Rating 2.0 from the perspective of the state’s leading flood agency. Remarks about Risk Rating 2.0 from Chip Kline, the Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities and Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board. 
  • Louisiana Specific Questions to FEMA

    ANALYSIS IN NEXT YEAR


    1. What analysis will be undertaken in the next year?


    As you may have heard, on November 7, FEMA announced its decision to adjust the implementation schedule of Risk Rating 2.0 by one year from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021. This change supports FEMA efforts to get this right for NFIP policyholders and stakeholders. Additionally, FEMA determined more time is required to broaden the agency’s analyses of the proposed rating structure across its entire book of business, to include its relationship to communities behind levees, and to align current policy and procedures to the new rating system.


    2. How will that analysis occur?


    FEMA is in the process of conducting the analysis and more information will be shared as it becomes available.


    CALCULATION OF RISK

     

    3. What types of data is used to calculate risk?


    FEMA is using a combination of models to support the development of rates. We are pairing state-of-the-art industry technology (e.g., catastrophe (CAT) models) with the National Flood Insurance Program’s mapping data to establish a new flood risk-informed rating plan. This provides a better and more comprehensive understanding of flood risk at both the national and local level. Data sources being used include:


    • FEMA sourced: Existing mapping data, NFIP policy and claims data;

    • Other Federal Government sourced: U.S. Geological Survey publicly available data, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sea, Lake, and Overhead Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) data, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data sets.

    • Third-party: Commercially available structural and replacement cost data and catastrophe flood models.


    This is not a complete list of all data sets, and FEMA may add additional data sets in the future.


    4. How is risk factored in areas behind levee systems?


    In general, a levee system is a structural risk reduction measure. It is designed to operate to separate people and property from certain flooding hazards across a range of probable hazards. Levees reduce the probability of flooding from some sources of water up to their designed height.  Levees can break, and levees can overtop, so there is still residual risk. Risk Rating 2.0 attempts to characterize the residual risk and appropriately price that into insurance rates. Local mitigation efforts that are non-structural, like elevating structures or flood proofing, can also reduce the consequences of flooding.


    5. How are levee systems identified?


    The National Levee Database was designated by Congress as the authoritative source of levee information for the nation.  Risk Rating 2.0 is leveraging the data in the National Levee Database to understand which homes have their flood risk reduced by levees. The levees are represented as lines for the levee itself, and polygons that represent the area where flood risk is reduced, but not eliminated, by the levee.


    6. Is FEMA confident it has identified all levee systems?


    No, in fact, FEMA is confident that there are some structures in the United States that receive mitigation from levees but the levees are not in the National Levee Database.  The NLD was designed to incorporate levee information from levee owners and communities that own and operate their own levees.  The best way to ensure that your levee is accounted for in risk rating is to input that information into the NLD. In the absence of information FEMA has done as much as is reasonably possible to incorporate remote sensing technologies to find and accurately describe levee systems so that as many levee systems as possible are reflected in Risk Rating 2.0.


    7. Is rainfall total used to calculate risk?  If so, how and why?


    Rainfall total is not used as a rating variable, but rather a flood hazard input to calculate flood risk. Through Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA now has the capability and tools to assess a property’s unique flood risk by using existing and updated flood maps and by incorporating additional flood risk variables.  


    The additional flood risk variables include distance to a flood source, and property characteristics such as elevation and the cost to rebuild. Hazard inputs such as flood frequency, multiple flood types such as fluvial (river overflow), coastal surge, and pluvial (flooding ponding and pooling prior to river overflow) are used to calculate flood risk.  As FEMA gets closer to implementing the new rating structure, more information will be shared as it becomes available.


    PREMIUMS


    8. What impacts does RR2.0 have on grandfathered policies? 


    FEMA does not have information regarding how Risk Rating 2.0 will impact the grandfather procedure. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.


    9. What impacts does 2.0 have on preferred risk policies? 


    FEMA does not have information regarding how Risk Rating 2.0 will impact the Preferred Risk Policy insurance product. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.


    10. How will the renewal premiums be calculated?


    Policyholders with rates decreasing will transition to the lower premium at the first renewal of their policy beginning October 2021. Policyholders with rates increasing will transition gradually and within the existing statutory limits set by Congress until the full-risk rate for their property is reached.  Existing statutory limits on federal flood insurance rate increases require that most rates not increase more than 18 percent per year.   


    For example, if a policyholder is currently paying $882 (approximately $74 a month) in annual flood costs under the current rating methodology and their Risk Rating 2.0 annual cost is $1,291 (approximately $108 a month), the increase would be phased in over the next three years with an additional annual increase of  $15 or less per month.


    11. Has FEMA used its full authority to minimize premium spikes?


    Yes.  All premium increases under Risk Rating 2.0 will comply with the existing statutory limits set by Congress until a property’s full-risk rate is reached.


    12. If the new risk rating shows a greater likelihood of flooding for a home, and an increased premium, would the existing annual rate cap still apply? 


    Yes.  All premium increases under Risk Rating 2.0 will comply with the existing statutory limits set by Congress until a property’s full-risk rate is reached.


    13. Is there a plan for phasing in new rates over time to allow communities to conduct mitigation activities to address their risk? 


    Policyholders with rates decreasing will transition to the lower premium at the first renewal of their policy beginning October 2021. Policyholders with rates increasing will transition gradually and within the existing statutory limits set by Congress until the full-risk rate for their property is reached.  Existing statutory limits on federal flood insurance rate increases require that most rates not increase more than 18 percent per year.   


    MAPS


    14. Will this new system lead to the installation of any new monitoring systems or gauges (or increased investment in existing monitoring systems) to keep the maps up to date? 


    USGS is a valued partner to FEMA, and FEMA intends to strengthen and enhance that partnership as we move forward and deliver a more comprehensive and consistent understanding of flood risk across the nation.  It is through these types of federal partnerships that such decisions would be transparently considered, determined, and communicated publicly.  At this time, FEMA has made no commitments to install new monitoring systems or gauges as a part of the Risk Rating initiative.   


    15. What is the update process for these new risk assessments? Is there a built-in shelf life to the maps so that new information about environmental factors can be useful? How will newly completed projects that reduce risk be reflected in the maps and in the rates?


    In general, new information and systems will be reflected as they are incorporated into the National Levee Database, Flood Hazard Maps, and other data and models used by Risk Rating 2.0. FEMA will continue to review the maps every five years to ensure that they remain current.  These reviews account for physical and environmental changes that may warrant a map update.   FEMA will continue to administer the Letter of Map Revision process to account for projects that reduce flood risk.  


    ADDITIONAL QUESITONS


    16. Are there any measures that policyholder can take that would improve their risk rating? 


    Policyholders can speak with their local community official about completing mitigation activities, such as elevating their building or installing proper flood openings, to reduce their flood risk and possibly their flood insurance costs.  


    17. From your point of view, what should a state like Louisiana do to prepare for the adoption of this new system? 


    States like Louisiana should continue to manage their floodplains as they have in the past.  In addition, they should continue to explore flood risk reduction efforts that reduce overall flood risk and not limit flood risk reduction investments to efforts that impact the 1-percent-annual-chance flood boundary on a FIRM.  


    18. Louisiana has spent billions of dollars on marsh creation. Will the new system take into consideration the risk reduction benefits of ecosystem restoration projects (nature-based defenses)? 


    As FEMA shifts toward a risk informed approach to setting rates and implementing NFIP programs, the intent is to be able to better account for restoration projects, such as nature-based defenses, that reduce the risk associated with more frequent flooding.  


    19. How will newly completed projects that reduce flood risk be reflected in the FIRMs and in flood insurance rates? 


    Newly completed projects will be reflected as they are incorporated into the National Levee Database, Flood Hazard Maps, and other data and models used by Risk Rating 2.0. FEMA will continue to administer the Letter of Map Revision process to account for projects that reduce flood risk and ensure that they can be accounted for in future updates to the flood insurance rates. 



  • A Louisiana Perspective Written By Chip Kline, Chairman of CPRA

    Written By: Chip Kline, Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities and Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board


    Off to an already active hurricane season here in Louisiana, we are reminded of the unending need to focus on our flood risk. Though the past few months have brought a new type of disaster to our communities, we must not forget the ongoing efforts to avoid and minimize flood risk in Louisiana.


    In order to avoid and minimize flood damage, we must first understand flood risk. In April of 2019, FEMA proposed an overhaul of their flood risk and insurance mapping system, called "Risk Rating 2.0." Because of the critical role that flood policy plays throughout Louisiana, we have closely tracked the development of Risk Rating 2.0, just as we have tracked potential reforms of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program ("NFIP"), through the CPRA NFIP and Coastal Insurability Subcommittee. With the third greatest reliance on the NFIP nationwide, behind only Florida and Texas, Louisiana has a lot at stake in the reform of these systems, and we need to ensure the unique flood vulnerabilities faced by our state are adequately addressed through the NFIP and FEMA's new risk mapping system.


    Flood risk modernization is long overdue and should be welcomed. Flood risk mapping should evolve with technological advancements, yet FEMA has not updated its modeling system since the NFIP began in 1974. For far too long, states have been left to guess their risk with outdated Flood Insurance Rate Maps ("FIRMS"), often not aware of the severity of their risk until it is too late. Two-thirds of the nation is not mapped for flood risk. For the areas that are mapped, only half meet the minimum mapping standards set by FEMA. Indeed, less than a tenth of flood maps satisfy FEMA's gold standard for assessing and conveying flood risk. We can and must do better. Only by measuring and understanding flood risk can we effectively avoid and minimize it.


    Efforts to increase risk assessment precision and accuracy for homeowners are necessary as we prepare for a future with even greater flood risk than exists today. While FEMA currently assesses risk and premiums based on broad zones, it will soon provide individual property-level data. By accounting for risk reduction measures on individual properties, FEMA anticipates Risk Rating 2.0 will fix shortcomings of the current system that leave properties unprotected and overcharged.


    While we must improve our understanding of flood risk, our need for accurate risk models must be balanced with affordable flood insurance. We recognize there are unknowns of Risk Rating 2.0 that have the potential to make flood insurance unaffordable for our Louisiana policyholders. Before we can fully support FEMA's efforts, we first need to understand how FEMA will incorporate grandfathering, preferred risk policies, levee-impacted areas, and nature-based solutions into its new risk mapping system. FEMA 's inability to provide straightforward answers to these questions is concerning, which only makes our advocacy over the next year more important. As the Chair of the NFIP and Coastal Insurability Subcommittee, I thank you for joining our efforts to get more answers and clarity from FEMA.


    As we near implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 in October 2021, we must continue to advocate for statutory affordability measures in the NFIP, including a means-tested affordability program and further limit on the rate at which premiums can annually increase. We must also advocate for the inclusion of nature-based solutions in the Risk Rating 2.0 system, so property owners benefit from reduced premiums when the CPRA constructs wetland, barrier, and berm restoration projects. Since 2007, the CPRA has restored or built over 47,000 acres of land and reconstructed 60 miles of barriers or berms. This upcoming year, our coastal program is investing over $1 billion in protection and restoration of our coastal environment, the largest spending plan in the history of our state's coastal program.


    CPRA restoration projects reinforce our first line of defense against strong storms and hurricanes, and restoration projects alone have between a $400 million and $1 billion value in cumulative flood damage reduction over the next fifty years, depending on the severity of sea level rise. This defense is a major part of our protection in Louisiana. Because restoration reduces flood risk, it should reduce flood insurance premiums under Risk Rating 2.0.


    A robust coastal program and government-led initiatives are only a part of the total effort to reduce flood risk. Coordination amongst state and federal efforts, public and private partnerships, and local-led mitigation are all critical to reducing flood risk. To meet the demands of our flood-prone environment, we must all become active voices of accurate flood risk and affordable flood insurance. We thank you for your support and continue to urge your involvement in advocating for a Louisiana future with less risk and more affordable insurance.

Access Flood Insurance Preparedness Resources

Louisiana Residents Encouraged to Use New LDI Tools to Prepare for Hurricane Season

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 9, 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.
Educating prospective homebuyers on the true cost of owning a home

How to Talk to Clients About the True Costs of Homeownership in Louisiana

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 9, 2026
Learn how real estate agents can educate buyers about Louisiana homeownership costs, including taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance.

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Session Wrap-up

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 5, 2026
The 2026 Regular Legislative Session has officially adjourned, and Louisiana REALTORS® closes the session with a strong record of legislative wins, defensive victories and meaningful progress on issues that directly impact property owners, homebuyers, housing providers and real estate professionals across Louisiana. This session touched nearly every major pressure point in the real estate market: insurance affordability, transaction transparency, appraisal certainty, leasing law, property taxes, blight redevelopment, litigation costs, consumer protection and private property rights. Louisiana REALTORS® successfully advanced several major policy priorities this session, including residential wholesaling reform, vacant residential land disclosure, appraisal certainty, security deposit reform, insurance mitigation funding and redevelopment tools for blighted property. At the same time, the association helped stop or reshape proposals that would have harmed housing supply, increased practitioners' liability, or created uncertainty for property owners and housing providers. Major Wins for You and Real Estate Residential Wholesaling Reform The signature victory of the session was HB 468 by Rep. Troy Hebert , Louisiana REALTORS®’ residential wholesaling reform bill. For years, residential wholesaling operated in a gray area of Louisiana law. HB 468 creates a clear statutory framework for residential wholesaling, strengthens consumer protection, increases transparency, and gives the Louisiana Real Estate Commission meaningful enforcement authority. The bill’s conference report passed unanimously in both chambers, with votes of 94-0 in the House and 35-0 in the Senate. This is a major structural reform for Louisiana real estate law. This bill will be state law effective August 1, 2026. Please note that the law does not affect any wholesale contracts between now and the effective date. Vacant Residential Land Disclosure HB 1166, by Rep. Kim Carver, passed the Legislature and has been sent to the Governor for his signature. The bill addresses disclosure gaps in vacant residential land transactions where buyers may discover late-stage issues involving access, utilities, drainage, flood risk, prior use or other material facts. HB 1166 creates a clearer process for buyers, sellers and real estate practitioners, and should help reduce failed transactions, disputes and closing-table surprises. As new industry forms and disclosures are developed, Louisiana REALTORS® will monitor the process closely and work to ensure the final requirements are practical, clear and consistent with sound industry practice. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission will complete the forms and disclosure process, with final implementation expected to be legally required for agents beginning January 1, 2027. Appraisal Liability Protections Louisiana REALTORS® secured two important appraisal-related wins. HB 1027 also by Rep. Troy Hebert , signed as Act No. 187 , clarifies that appraisers should not be held liable for compliance with obligations that belong to other parties in the transaction. HB 300 by Rep. Neil Riser , signed as Act No. 149 , addresses appraisal thresholds for bank-owned property. Together, these measures support greater transaction certainty and fairness in the appraisal process. The pair of these measures will take effect as law on August 1, 2026. Housing & Market Stability Security Deposit Reform HB 292, by Rep. Delisha Boyd and signed by Governor Landry as Act No. 63 , creates a more workable process for addressing damage discovered at the end of a lease and provides greater flexibility through written agreements regarding security deposit timelines. The measure offers practical clarity for housing providers, tenants and property managers when property damage is identified after move-out, allowing additional time to assess damage, obtain repair estimates and document costs before final security deposit accounting is completed. By creating a clearer statutory framework, the law helps reduce disputes and ensures that both landlords and tenants have a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities. Property managers can mark August 1, 2026, on their calendars, as that is the effective date for this legislation. Protections for Victims & Landlords HB 297, by Rep. Mandie Landry and signed by Governor Landry as Act No. 64 , expands Louisiana's early lease-termination protections to include victims of stalking and cyberstalking. The law recognizes that personal safety may require a tenant to leave a residence before the end of a lease term. To exercise these protections, a tenant must provide documentation from a qualified third party or other authorized evidence demonstrating that they are a victim of stalking or cyberstalking and that continued occupancy would present a safety concern. The measure also clarifies and expands who may serve as a qualified third party for purposes of supporting a tenant's request. These changes will take effect into law on August 1, 2026. Insurance Affordability and Mitigation Insurance affordability remained one of the most significant issues facing Louisiana homeowners and the real estate market. HB 1187 by Rep. Paul Sawyer , signed by Governor Landry as Act No. 416 , transfers an additional $50 million in Katrina bond assessment funds to the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. Combined with other insurance-related funding, the program reaches approximately $80 million for the year. The Fortify Homes Program remains one of Louisiana’s most direct tools for reducing property risk, strengthening homes, improving market stability, and placing downward pressure on insurance costs over time. Several additional insurance measures did not reach final passage, including legislation on fortified roof endorsements, nonrenewal protections for homeowners who mitigate risk, and a pre-suit review process for residential property insurance disputes. These remain important long-term priorities. This became law and took effect upon the Governor’s signature. Blight, Redevelopment, and Property Taxes Louisiana REALTORS® supported policies this session aimed at returning neglected property to productive use and strengthening property-tax fairness. HB 214 by Rep. Chance Henry , now Act No. 272 with Governor Landry’s signature, will appear on the ballot as a constitutional amendment authorizing an optional property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict property. HB 217, also by Rep. Chance Henry , is the enabling legislation for HB 214 and has received the Governor’s signature, becoming Act No. 422. Together, these measures would give local governments another tool to encourage private investment, neighborhood revitalization, and redevelopment. SB 180 , now Act No. 39 , will also appear on the ballot. The measure allows the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a service-connected disability to transfer an expanded property tax exemption. This is both a property-tax fairness measure and a homeownership stability measure for Louisiana veterans’ families. If passed in the fall election, the measures would take effect on January 1, 2027, as well as SB 180. Defensive Victories Some of the most important wins in this session came from stopping harmful legislation before it became law. Rent Stabilization Stopped Twice HB 472 by Rep. Alonzo Knox , the rent price control bill, was stopped after being involuntarily deferred. Louisiana REALTORS® opposed the bill and provided testimony in committee because rent-control policies can discourage investment, reduce housing supply, create uncertainty for housing providers and ultimately worsen affordability challenges. Knox brought the bill to the House Committee on Municipal, Local and Parochial Affairs twice due to the opposing testimony of our organization and opposition from the Home Builders Association and the Louisiana Apartment Association. Hidden Fees Bill Reshaped Yet Still Thwarted HB 617 by Rep. Mandie Landry , the hidden fees bill, raised concerns because it could have imposed liability on real estate professionals for fees they do not control, including those set by lenders, title companies, insurers, government entities and other third parties. Louisiana REALTORS® successfully negotiated a House-side amendment exempting real estate transactions from the bill’s scope. The bill later died in the Senate Commerce Committee. It is worth noting that the author agreed to include us in an amendment by Rep. Troy Hebert from the House floor, exempting real estate transactions. Automatic Renewal Bill Monitored HB 750, by Rep. Vincent Cox, addressing automatic renewal provisions, was closely monitored by Louisiana REALTORS® to ensure the legislation did not unintentionally apply to residential or commercial leases, property management agreements, association operations, nonprofit activities or standard real estate practices. Those concerns were successfully addressed through a Louisiana REALTORS® amendment offered by Senator Pressly during Senate consideration. When the bill returned to the House, Rep. Cox accepted the amendment and supported concurrence, preserving the bill's consumer protection goals while ensuring Louisiana's real estate industry, housing providers, associations and nonprofits were not subjected to unintended regulatory burdens . Missed Opportunities Two broader legal reform measures passed the House but stalled in the Senate Judiciary A Committee. HB 437, by Rep. Michael Melerine, addressing expert witness fees, and HB 1089, by Rep. Dennis Bamburg, establishing CARE Accounts, both reflected broader efforts to reduce litigation costs, improve Louisiana’s legal climate, and address cost drivers affecting insurance affordability and business competitiveness. Their failure to reach final passage was a missed opportunity, but the issues remain central to Louisiana’s long-term affordability conversation. Louisiana REALTORS® will continue to monitor these proposals and hope to see similar reforms return next session with a different outcome. What Comes Next The end of the session does not end the work. Louisiana REALTORS® will now turn to implementation, member education, ballot engagement and preparation for the next legislative cycle by directly engaging you, the driving force behind all of our efforts. The issues that shaped this session — housing affordability, insurance availability, redevelopment, legal costs, and private property rights — are not going away. Neither are we. Louisiana REALTORS® remain committed to serving as a consistent, credible and effective voice for property owners, homebuyers, housing providers and real estate professionals across Louisiana. Thank You As the Legislature adjourns, Louisiana REALTORS® expresses sincere appreciation to the leadership, members, public officials and advocacy partners who helped make this a productive and successful session for the real estate industry and property owners across Louisiana. We are especially grateful to Louisiana REALTORS® President Ginger Maulden, President-Elect David Favret, Treasurer Misty Ingersoll, Legislative Committee Director Keary Coffin, Outside General Counsel Eric Landry, LARPAC Chairwoman Marsha McGraw-Barbera, the Louisiana Real Estate Commission Commissioners and Executive Team, and the members of the Louisiana REALTORS® Legislative Committee for their leadership, guidance, resources and engagement throughout the session. We also extend a special thank you to those who attended this session’s REALTOR® Day and helped strengthen our presence at the Capitol. Your participation amplified our ability to advocate with one united voice when it mattered most. We further extend our appreciation to the legislators and partners who worked alongside us this session, including Rep. Troy Hebert, Rep. Kim Carver, House Commerce Chairman Daryl Deshotel, Rep. Delisha Boyd, Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, Rep. John Wyble, Sen. Beth Mizell, Sen. Greg Miller, Speaker Phillip DeVillier, Senate President Cameron Henry and Governor Jeff Landry for their leadership, accessibility and commitment to addressing issues impacting housing, property rights, insurance affordability, redevelopment and Louisiana’s economic future. Strong policy outcomes are only possible through collaboration, professionalism and sustained engagement. Louisiana REALTORS® remains grateful for the relationships and partnerships that helped move meaningful legislation across the finish line this year. Please view the session wrap-up tracking report provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
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