Legislative Update & Special Session

LOUISIANA REALTORS • May 27, 2020
The Louisiana Legislature continues to hear and move bills in the 2020 Regular Legislative Session and do the work of the state despite the COVID-19 pandemic restraints. This Session is set to end by 6:00 p.m. on June 1st. And, for the second time ever the Louisiana Legislature has called itself into a Special Session set to begin at 6:01 p.m., June 1st. The Special Session call setting the agenda for the session will allow the Legislature to consider legislation on forty-one different subjects. The call can be found here:  

Louisiana REALTORS® will continue to monitor bills and advocate on your behalf throughout the end of the Regular Session and throughout the Special Session.


Remote Online Notarization


House Bill No. 274, Representative Garofalo

Status:   Pending in Senate Judiciary A Committee


Senate Bill No. 472, Senator Luneau

Status:  Pending House Floor Action


What: These bills propose to authorize the performance of notarial functions remotely using technology.  Remote online notarization is when documents are notarized in an electronic form where the signer uses an electronic signature and appears before the notary using online audio-video technology.


However, these bills would not allow for an authentic act to be done by remote means.  This is significant to the real estate industry because most transactions with a mortgage are done by authentic act.  This is done so the lender can foreclose by executory process.  The legal and notary community is not currently comfortable completing these acts remotely so authentic acts are excluded from the proposed authorization.


If passed, remote online notarization would not be available until February 1, 2022, or until remote online notarization is authorized by federal law (whichever comes first).


Position:  Support


Why:  This could make real estate closings more efficient and NAR has supported similar efforts since November of 2018.


Legal Deadlines Affecting Eviction Moratoriums


House Concurrent Resolution No. 25, Representative Gregory Miller

Status:   Pending Senate Floor Action


House Bill No. 805, Representative Thomas Pressly

Status:  Pending Senate Floor Action


What:  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Edwards has issued a series of orders suspending legal prescription and legal deadlines.  These orders have the effect of extending legal deadlines and the time a person can file suit on certain actions.  The suspension of legal deadlines has effectively prevented legal proceedings such as evections to take place until the suspension is lifted.  The current order expires June 5th but may be extended.


The instruments seek to (1) affirm the Governor’s previous orders; and (2) provide that the suspension of legal deadlines will end June 30th thus allowing legal proceedings such as evictions to move forward on July 1st.  These dates are subject to change between now and June 1st.

Louisiana REALTORS® has been in communication with legislators about this issue throughout the process to ensure that the suspension of legal deadlines ends sooner rather than later.  We will continue to communicate with these legislators throughout the remainder of the process.


Position:   Monitor


COVID-19 Limitation on Liability


House Bill No. 826, Representative Thomas Pressly

Status:  Pending Senate Floor Action


Senate Bill No. 435, Senator Mark Abraham

Status:  Pending House Floor Action


What:  These bills seek to limit the liability of persons and businesses for injury or death resulting from or related to the actual or the alleged exposure to COVID-19 in the course of the persons’ or business’ operations unless the person or business acted in such a way that was negligent or intentional or not in substantial compliance with applicable governmental COVID-19 procedures.


These bills include the persons and businesses in real estate and real estate related professions and businesses.


The bills differ in the standards by which liability will be determined. 


Position:  Monitor

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 1 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 13, 2026
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Louisiana real estate regulations are designed to protect consumers

How Real Estate Regulations and Recent Policy Updates Protect Louisiana Homebuyers

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 11, 2026
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.

2025 Awards Nominations

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 9, 2026
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
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