Assistance Animals (SB 286) & Rental Registries (SB 378) - Legislation Filed on Behalf of Louisiana REALTORS
Amy P. Fennel • March 10, 2020
Louisiana REALTORS® has identified two issues that impact the real estate industry for consideration during the 2020 regular session. The legislation was filed on behalf of LR to address two issues. LR’s lobbying team will seek to pass these two measures and will provide regular status updates and information related to each of these bills as they move through the legislative process.
REALTORS® are encouraged to follow these issues closely and may be asked to talk with their local legislators about the impact to the industry or actively engage and respond to a Call for Action.
Assistance Animals (SB 286 by Senator J. Rogers Pope)
The first bill has to do with assistance animals. Assistance animals can be incredibly helpful to people with disabilities. But in recent years there has been a significant uptick in people abusing this part of the Fair Housing Act by trying to pass their pet off as an assistance animal. SB286 by Senator J. Rogers Pope
would impose fines when people are convicted of submitting false documentation about the need for an assistance animal when filling out rental applications. The need for this type of proactive legislation has increased with the rise of online services that provide documentation for purchase to people to show proof for the need for assistance animals.
Rental Registries (SB 378 by Senator Heather Cloud)
The second bill has to do with local governments considering and implementing rental registries and inspections for properties being used for long term residential rental property. This does not apply to short term rentals, but rather properties that have tenants.SB378 by Senator Heather Cloud would prohibit local governments from making these requirements of the property owner. While Louisiana REALTORS® fully supports safe and decent housing for everyone, these requirements would add an additional layer of bureaucracy and red tape and result in higher rent for consumers and possibly even more vacant properties.
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From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced today that the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) continues its work to develop a regulation creating benchmark discounts for Fortified roofs in Louisiana. The LDI is working with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop the benchmark discounts using Louisiana-specific data, hurricane modeling and actuarial considerations. “With over 11,000 Fortified roofs in Louisiana and two years-worth of insurer experience with rating for those roofs in our state, now is an appropriate time for the LDI to establish benchmark discounts for homeowners insurance companies operating in our market,” said Commissioner Temple. “These benchmarks are being thoughtfully developed to help consumers receive the discounts they deserve for fortifying their homes while making sure insurers know the benchmarks reflect how much Fortified roofs actually mitigate their exposure to risk across Louisiana.” Like in Alabama’s Fortified benchmark discount structure, the LDI regulation would require Louisiana insurance companies to either meet the minimum benchmark discount established by the LDI or provide actuarial justification for why the company’s discount does not meet the benchmark. Louisiana is the fastest growing state for Fortified roofs in America. To date, over 11,000 Fortified roofs have been installed in Louisiana, including over 4,100 through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.
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