Governmental Affairs & Advocacy
A fundamental aspect of the Louisiana Home Builders Association is our commitment to actively promoting the best interest of the residential construction industry in Louisiana.
WE WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND AGENCIES
LHBA staff, volunteers, and committee members closely monitor legislation, proposed bills, and legislative & regulatory agency hearings that affect the construction industry. Our experienced professionals also work to amend or defeat measures that would adversely impact the industry.
Our staff regularly monitors new and proposed rules affecting our industry, as well as regulatory changes that are of interest to LHBA members. In response to proposed changes in laws and/or regulations, LHBA promotes member participation in the form of providing commentary and testimony that would benefit the industry's effort to limit excessive regulations, unnecessary costs, and burdensome fees.
Recent Legislative Measures LHBA Leadership Has Influenced
Legislation Passed:
Subcontractor Licensing
SCR 4 repeals administrative licensing requirements for residential specialty classifications, including: pile driving, foundations, framing, roofing, and masonry/stucco.
Status: Effective May 17, 2022
Energy Code
HB 803 creates an Energy Code Commission to review and amend the energy code. Stakeholders and their experts comprise the Energy Code Commission, including the Louisiana Home Builders Association.
Status: HB 803 is now Act 635
Plumbers
HB 300 eliminates the restricted plumber license as options for licensure of plumbers. Current restricted license holders in good standing shall be issued a journeyman’s or masters plumbers’ license with a written request to the board.
Status: HB 300 is now Act 460
Insurance Claims
SB 163 creates a catastrophe claims disclosure under the Department of Insurance, which includes explanations on actual versus replacement costs, methodologies used and potential lender notifications.
Status: SB 163 is now Act 80
Insurance Adjuster
SB 198 provides for mandatory adjuster communications when three or more adjusters are assigned an insurance claim resulting from a state of emergency or declared disaster.
Status: SB 198 is now Act 263
Building Codes
HB 598 establishes inspection procedures for reconnecting utilities to residential structures.
Status: HB 598 is now Act 705
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
HB 293 requires existing one- or two-family dwellings to have a carbon monoxide detector containing a long-life, sealed battery. HB 293 also requires professionals who install generators in one- or two-family dwellings to include, at minimum, an operable carbon monoxide detector with a long-life, sealed battery.
Status: HB 293 is now Act 458
Unemployment Insurance
HB 622 provides integrity of the unemployment insurance program and to prevent the continuous payment of suspicious or claims.
Status: HB 622 is now Act 571
Repair Contracts
HB 703 permits rescission of repair contracts within 10 days of entering while the property was under a declared disaster or emergency during the six-month period
following a natural disaster. Lien rights remain intact for all parties. Contractors shall be entitled to the cost of work performed and materials ordered or delivered prior to cancellation, along with reasonable overhead.
Status: HB 703 is now Act 632
Legislation Prevented:
Punitive and Actual Damages
HB 1063 prohibits discriminatory housing practices pursuant to the La. Equal Housing Opportunity Act relative to applicants with criminal histories. HB 1063 creates new causes of action against landlords and property owners by providing an avenue for those alleging violations to sue landlords for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.
Status: HB 1063 did not pass
Permit Fines
HB 320 authorizes the city of New Orleans to impose a daily penalty up to $2,000 for the violation of municipal building code ordinances and regulations.
Status: HB 320 did not pass
Lease Agreements
HB 257 allows for early termination in lease agreements for some with physical or mental conditions that require relocation.
Status: HB 257 did not pass
Family and Medical Leave
HB 1003 requires benefits payable to a covered individual who is employed and who has paid into the LA Family and Medical Leave Account Fund or to a covered individual who is part time-employed.
Status: HB 1003 did not pass
Rental Registry
SB 249 provides for a registration fee to be set by local ordinance, a civil fine for failing to register, and minimum operating standards for a privately operated free-standing home, residence, or any other place where sleeping accommodations are provided for at least six unrelated adults.
Status: SB 249 did not pass
Minimum Wage
HB 229 provides for a constitutional amendment that sets minimum wage for Louisiana employees at $11.65 an hour.
Status: HB 229 did not pass
HB 311 establishes a minimum wage at $10 an hour beginning in January of 2023, increasing to $12 an hour in 2024.
Status: HB 311 did not pass
HB 880 establishes a state minimum wage at $10 an hour beginning in 2023, increasing to $12 an hour in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, and $15 an hour in 2026. It also ties the state minimum wage to the federal minimum wage and imposes fines for failure to pay that rate.
Status: HB 880 did not pass
SB 269 provides for a constitutional amendment that sets a minimum hourly wage of $10.25 in 2023, increasing by the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index each year thereafter.
Status: SB 269 did not pass
Information Provided by LHBA Lobbyist, Michelle Shirley
WE ADVOCATE ON YOUR BEHALF
LHBA is dedicated to supporting and advancing the business needs of Louisiana home builders, remodelers, developers, and related industry professionals. As part of our commitment, we regularly advocate on behalf of our members at the Louisiana State Capitol. Having dedicated professionals continuously watching out for your best interests is a significant benefit of membership!
WE ENCOURAGE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
As a member of LHBA, you are encouraged to participate in "Advancing the Cause" alongside our leadership who work daily to protect the building industry and its interests. If you are not a member, you should JOIN NOW to help us protect our industry.
Advocacy of Recent Legislative Measures
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[su_content_slide class="content-slider-text"]Defeated the change in the definition of a home in the New Home Warranty Act, resulting in a $4,000 average annually in litigation and insurance savings.[/su_content_slide]
[su_content_slide class="content-slider-text"]Blocked an eviction bill that would have allowed a new trial if a tenant had not been represented by counsel in court. This saved an average of $1,000 per eviction.[/su_content_slide]
[su_content_slide class="content-slider-text"]Increased copper theft penalties to also include cost of replacement or repairing property. This resulted in a range of $5,000 to $15,000 per instance of copper theft with equipment damage.[/su_content_slide]
[su_content_slide class="content-slider-text"]Prevented new miss-classification penalties for employers not classifying an individual as an employee. This advocacy measure potentially saved $10,000 per employee and $25,000 per audit.[/su_content_slide]
[su_content_slide class="content-slider-text"]Stopped a bill from passing that would not allow closing cost incentives when using your own attorney, resulting in an average annual savings of $5,000.[/su_content_slide]
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