Adams and Reese attorneys Kellen Mathews, Erica Sensenbrenner, and Chris Kane had their guest perspective article “Insurance and Education Grab Early Headlines in Louisiana Legislative Session: Bills to Watch” published in New Orleans CityBusiness.
The article appeared online today on the business news website and will run in the April 5 print edition of the CityBusiness Law Firms Legal Focus special section.
Click here to read the CityBusiness article
The 2024 Louisiana State Legislature Regular Session convened on March 11 with Gov. Jeff Landry informing lawmakers that his top priorities for his first regular session include insurance, education, public safety, the economy, and constitutional reform. With the first month of the regular session almost behind the legislature already, several measures around insurance and education are garnering the attention of regional businesses and residents.
The legislative package advanced by the Commissioner is designed to relax regulations and attract more companies to Louisiana, increase competition, which in turn should improve the availability and affordability of insurance in Louisiana. A common theme across these measures is a desire to bring Louisiana more in line with neighboring states (all with more stable insurance markets) making it more attractive to industry.
Three big proposals among these reform measures include: (1) SB323 relative to fair claims handling practices; (2) SB370, relative to the more than three year rule; and (3) SB295 relative to rate filing.
School choice has also been at the forefront of this 2024 Regular Session.
The education legislation garnering the most attention this first month is the LA GATOR (Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise) Scholarship Program, filed in both the Senate and House as SB313 and HB745. In addition, as the charter school movement in Louisiana approaches its 30th year, the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) has presented a package of bills that further promote school choice, support for facility funding, good governance and transparency, and charter autonomy. These bills to watch include SB350 and SB362; SB47 and HB78; SB316; SB321; and HB708.
The 2024 Louisiana State Legislature Regular Session has a final adjournment of no later than 6 p.m. on Monday, June 3. The next two months will be full of action and reaction as the House and Senate visit these important bills around insurance, education, and others impacting Louisiana and jurisdictions across our state, including New Orleans.
You can visit the Louisiana Legislature website for all bill updates: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/SessionInfo/SessionInfo_24RS.aspx
Kellen Mathews is a Partner in the Adams and Reese New Orleans and Baton Rouge offices. He practices in administrative and regulatory matters, litigation, insurance, and government contracting and government relations.
Erica Sensenbrenner is an Associate in the Adams and Reese New Orleans office. She is one of the leading attorneys on the Education team. She advises charter schools and school boards across Louisiana, and practices in litigation, maritime, and labor and employment.
Chris Kane is a Partner in the Adams and Reese New Orleans office. He serves as the Global Trade, Transportation and Logistics Team Leader, and as leading member of the law firm’s Economic Development Practice. Chris is 2024 Board Chair of GNO, Inc.