2018 Legislative Session Recap
LOUISIANA REALTORS • May 29, 2018
LOUISIANA REALTORS® RECAP OF THE 2018 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Louisiana REALTORS® is happy to report that the real estate industry came out of the 2018 Regular Legislative Session unscathed once again. In large part, the bills that Louisiana REALTORS® supported are awaiting action on the part of the governor and bills that Louisiana REALTORS® opposed were either heavily amended to remove our opposition or stalled in the legislative process.
Below is a summary of key bills tracked by Louisiana REALTORS® and where they stand in the process at of the time of this post. For further information on these or any other pieces of legislation, please contact Kim Callaway, kim@larealtors.org, (225) 923-2210.
HB NO. 383/ VOLUNTARILY DEFERRED IN HOUSE COMMITTEE
This bill was Louisiana REALTORS® first-time home buyer rebate proposition.
· While the bill did not reach the finish line due to budget constraints, it did allow Louisiana REALTORS® to promote the benefits of homeownership and highlight the struggles first-time home buyers face in today’s environment.
· These discussions with legislators will better position Louisiana REALTORS® with future legislation filed to help first-time home buyers pursue the American dream of home ownership.
HB NO. 372/SENT TO THE GOVERNOR
House Bill No. 372 would require administrative rules sought to be promulgated by boards and commissions, including but not limited to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC), to undergo additional review to ensure that members who sit on occupational licensing will avoid liability under federal antitrust laws.
· At the request of the author, Louisiana REALTORS® was at the table at every meeting where associations representatives negotiated committee amendments for the bill.
· Louisiana REALTORS® worked tirelessly with representatives of a coalition of 50+ national and state associations to ensure that amendments were adopted to put the bill in a posture that Louisiana REALTORS® and most associations accepted.
HB NO. 617/SENT TO THE GOVERNOR
Representative Hilferty filed this bill on behalf of Louisiana REALTORS® to clarify some matters following the Valobra v. Nelson case pertaining to the residential property disclosure form.
· The bill clarifies that the residential property disclosure form is required to be executed for all subsequent transfers following the property being transferred through a succession.
· The bill further clarifies that the seller must disclose whether there was a meth lab on the property to be sold that is still on the list of contaminated properties maintained by the Department of Environmental Quality.
HB NO. 659/INVOLUNTARILY DEFERRED IN HOUSE COMMITTEE
This bill would have put additional requirements on property owners who have vehicles towed off their lots for parking violations.
· Louisiana REALTORS® raised several concerns and the bill’s author had amendments adopted to address those concerns.
· However, the bill still failed to pass due to opposition from the towing industry.
Louisiana REALTORS® is proud that we were able to convince the author and the committee of the need to preserve property rights and that the bill was changed to address our concerns.
HB NO. 748/SENT TO THE GOVERNOR
This bill would have potentially given the state authority over certifications and designations that REALTORS® are awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® and certifications issued by private organizations in other professions and occupations.
· The author stated that this was not her intent and had amendments adopted to remove this portion of the bill.
· However, the bill also sought to establish questionable policy regarding the standards by which the state could legitimately regulate any occupation or profession.
· Due to the concerns of Louisiana REALTORS® and almost 50 other organizations of professions and occupations, the bill was largely amended in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs to only require a review of all agencies that issue professional and occupational licenses and a timeline for that review.
SB NO. 462/VETOED
Louisiana allows municipalities and parishes to pass inclusionary zoning ordinances to promote the development of affordable housing.
· Inclusionary zoning requires housing developers to sell or rent a proportion of their units below market rate, regardless of the economics of a project or whether the developer receives just compensation.
· Senate Bill 462 would have instead allowed municipalities and parishes to offer VOLUNTARY economic incentive policies to promote the development of affordable housing.
Governor Edwards vetoed this bill stating that it may jeopardize federal funding available to local governments for affordable housing programs. However, in his veto message Governor Edwards stated that he is not opposed to signing similar legislation next year if local governments do not actively pursue inclusionary zoning strategies within the next year.
SB NO. 466/ACT NO. 416
As filed, this legislation proposed a law change on security deposits for residential leases and potentially placed many additional burdens on residential lessors. Therefore Louisiana REALTORS® was initially opposed to the bill.
· However, after amendments were put on the bill it now only provides that a tenant would have the right to recover the amount of the portion of any security deposit wrongfully withheld and $300 or twice any portion of the security deposit wrongfully withheld, whichever is greater.
· Prior law allowed the tenant to recover actual damages or $200, whichever was greater.
· These amendments significantly altered the bill and removed not only Louisiana REALTORS® opposition but also the opposition of the Apartment Association of Louisiana.
Article provided through SPOT Pet Insurance partnership Key Points Save on everyday pet essentials: Spot Perks includes access to over $2,500 in available discounts1 from top pet care brands. More Perks: Spot connects pet parents to savings on health products, food, gear, and more. Added value, same price: Spot Perks comes with every plan — no extra enrollment or added cost required. Pet Insurance That Gives You More Than Coverage At Spot, we know caring for your pet goes far beyond vet visits — it’s about giving them the best every day. That’s why every Spot Pet Insurance plan includes access to Spot Perks, a collection of curated deals, discounts, and offers from trusted pet brands. With over $2,500 in available savings, Spot Perks helps pet parents save on everything from high-quality food and treats to health tech and pet sitting services. It’s one more way Spot supports pets — not just during the unexpected, but in everyday life. What Are Spot Perks? Smart Savings for Modern Pet Parents Spot Perks connects you with discounts from leading pet brands to make caring for your pet more affordable. Every plan includes access to hand-picked offers covering a wide range of categories: Pet Food & Treats: Save on nutritious options from brands like The Farmer’s Dog, Sundays, Smalls, ButcherBox, and Shameless Pets. Health & Wellness: Get deals on prescriptions, dental care, supplements, and more through partners like Koala Health, Radius, andBalto. Pet Tech & Accessories: Access savings on smart collars, feeders, and cameras from companies like Fi, Furbo, Halo, and Litter-Robot. Services & Subscriptions: Find offers for pet sitting, training, and entertainment from partners such as Rover, DOGTV, and Pupford. These deals are curated for Spot policyholders — so you can enjoy easy access to savings, all in one place. Save on Everyday Pet Essentials With Spot Perks, you can find real savings on products and services that matter to pet parents. Here’s a sample of the offers available: 60% off your first box of fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog or The Pets Table 45% off prescriptions and pet meds from Koala Health $20 off pet DNA test kits from Ancestry® or Basepaws Up to $55 off a Furbo Pet Cam 35% off DOGTV annual subscriptions 20% off your first three Smalls cat food orders Free 45-day trial at Sam’s Club for savings on food, supplies, and pet medications $20 off your first pet sitting through Rover From nutrition and health to comfort and convenience, these offers make it easier to give your pet the best — while keeping yourbudget in check. Spot’s Added Value: Coverage + Everyday Savings Every Spot Pet Insurance plan includes automatic access to Spot Perks. There’s no extra enrollment process, no fees, and no fine print. You’ll still get the extensive coverage Spot is known for, including: Customizable coverage: Choose your deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement rate (up to 90%). Fast claims and payouts: Submit a claim in 30 seconds and get reimbursed quickly, often within 48 hours. With Spot, your coverage helps protect against the unexpected — and your perks help make everyday pet care more affordable. How Spot Perks Work Accessing Spot Perks is easy: Log in to your Spot account or visit the Perks page. Browse the curated list of offers and discounts. Use the provided links or promo codes to claim your savings directly from the partner brand. There’s no limit to how many deals you can use! FAQs: Spot Perks and Added Value What are Spot Perks? Spot Perks is a curated collection of deals and discounts from top pet brands that help pet parents save on everyday essentials, services, and products. How do I access Spot Perks? You can find the latest Spot Perks offers by logging in to your Spot account. Each offer includes a direct link or promo code to redeem with the partner brand. Do I have to pay extra for Spot Perks? No — access to Spot Perks is included with every Spot Pet Insurance plan at no additional cost. Are the Spot Perks deals exclusive to Spot customers? Spot Perks are curated offers from partner brands. While some deals may also be publicly available, Spot brings them together in one convenient place to make saving easier for pet parents. Can I use multiple discounts? Yes! You can redeem as many Spot Perks offers as you like — from food to grooming, tech, and more. How often are new perks added? New perks are added regularly, so check back often for the latest savings opportunities and seasonal deals. Key Takeaway With Spot, you get more than pet insurance — you get a community built around making pet care easier and more affordable. Spot Pet Insurance helps cover the eligible costs of accidents, illnesses, and emergencies. But with Spot Perks, you also get access to curated deals that make everyday essentials — from premium food to health products — more affordable. No extra cost, no hidden steps — just added value for pet parents who want the best for their pets. Because at Spot, we believe great care should come with great savings. Jesus Vasquez, Author Jesus Vasquez is a front‑end engineer at Spot Pet Insurance who powers the blog with his technical skill. Devoted pet lover he co‑parents a clever Jack Russell Terrier escape artist and an affectionate but jealous Irish Terrier mix—both rescued pals.
Learn which home improvements truly increase property value in 2026. A strategic guide for real estate agents on upgrades that support pricing, appraisals, and smoother transactions.
Enhance your home’s property value with smart improvements that pay off. Discover how curb appeal, kitchen and bathroom updates, energy efficiency, and proactive maintenance can boost value and support smoother home sales in Louisiana’s competitive real estate market.
