(The Center Square) – Louisiana lawmakers concluded a consequential legislative session this week, sending dozens of bills to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk and advancing a range of proposals that aim to reshape the state’s economic development strategy, health policies, workforce training system and insurance regulations.
While some hot-button bills stalled or were vetoed, supporters across the political spectrum are declaring the 2025 session a milestone for structural reform.
INSURANCE OVERHAUL
In one of the most fiercely debated areas, the Legislature passed a slate of insurance-related bills, aimed largely at curbing lawsuits and reducing auto insurance premiums — a perennial political priority in Louisiana. Gov. Landry signed several measures into law, including:
House Bill 450, which requires plaintiffs to prove their injuries were caused by a specific accident.
HB434, which reduces damage awards for uninsured motorists.
HB436, which bars undocumented immigrants from collecting general damages in auto injury lawsuits.
HB549, which gives trucking companies a 5% insurance discount for installing dasHBoard cameras.
HB148, which grants the insurance commissioner authority to reject premium hikes.
However, Landry vetoed Senate Bill 111, which would have strengthened good faith standards for claims processing.
“Governor Jeff Landry repeatedly pledged to sign every insurance reform bill the Legislature sent to his desk. But yesterday, he broke that promise,” said Randy Guillot, a trucking executive who had pushed for the bill.
NUTRITION & SNAP REFORMS
In a health-focused move that drew national attention, lawmakers passed SB14, aimed at reducing ultraprocessed foods in schools and within public assistance programs. Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham said the bill represents “a significant cleanup of our food supply, especially focused on kids.”
The bill includes three major provisions:
A ban on serving ultra-processed foods in school meals containing any of 13 specified chemical additives;
A requirement for food manufacturers to label products containing such additives with notices that they are banned in other countries;
A directive for the Department of Children and Family Services to seek federal permission to prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits to buy soft drinks.
Abraham credited advocacy groups like the Making America Healthy Again Moms for pushing the measure over the finish line.
Infrastructure, Jobs, and Education Get Major Boost
The Legislature also approved a broad infrastructure and economic development package. Highlights include:
A $700 million infusion into the Transportation Infrastructure Fund.
A restructuring of the Department of Transportation and Development to streamline project delivery.
The creation of a new High Impact Jobs Program to replace the Quality Jobs Program.
A $150 million investment in the Louisiana Economic Development Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund, the largest in state history for site readiness.
A new tier of TOPS scholarships to encourage high-performing students to stay in Louisiana for college.
$43 million for deferred maintenance at higher education campuses, alongside an expanded procurement process for capital projects.
Two constitutional amendments — both previously part of the failed Amendment 2 package earlier this year — were reintroduced and passed. One will use about $2 billion from liquidated education trust funds to pay down teacher retirement debt and fund a permanent $2,250 annual teacher pay raise. The other would enable local governments to voluntarily phase out the business inventory tax.
These amendments will go before voters next year.
WORKFORCE TRAINING, CHILDCARE INCENTIVES
Legislators also backed efforts to expand access to workforce training and child care.
Rep. Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell, authored massive overhaul of the states workforce training programs and welfare programs. Dubbed “One Door”, HB624 attempts to offer individuals receiving benefits a better opportunity to develop the skills needed to obtain a well-paying job.
HB533 consolidates and streamlines tax credits for apprenticeships and internships and 233 which expands tax credits for employers who help cover childcare costs.
Senate Senate Concurrent Resolutions 38 and 29 create task forces to study career counseling implementation and evaluate workforce training needs across the state.
“These policies better position Louisiana for a more prosperous future,” said the nonprofit Leaders for a Better Louisiana in a post-session summary.
SEVERANCE TAX, LEGACY LAWSUITS
The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association celebrated two major victories. HB600, by Rep. Brett Geymann, slashes the state’s oil severance tax on new drilling from 12.5% — the highest in the nation — to 6.5%.
“Each of the last five years that I’ve been at LOGA, we have attempted to lower the severance rate for oil but fell short,” said LOGA President Mike Moncla.
Additionally, HB694, a long-sought “legacy lawsuit” reform bill by Rep. Jacob Landry, was amended into SB244 and passed. Though the changes won’t take effect until 2027, Moncla called it a “long-game play” for the industry’s future
Attorneys from Chevron sang a different tune, however, on SB244. Chevron is concerned that, with the clock started, the bill will encourage lawsuits. A prior bill would have given lawsuits only until 2026 to be adjudicated.
FAILED BILLS
Not all high-profile bills made it through. HB685, which would have barred state agencies from operating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, passed the House but never received a Senate vote.
Lawmakers also rejected SB235, which would have given a tax break low-income homeowners for property insurance.
