The 2025 Regular Session convened Monday, April 14, kicking off with an opening address by Governor Jeff Landry to the joint Legislature. The Governor issued calls to action on his top priorities for the second Regular Session of his term, including insurance reform and reorganization of the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), two issues that dominated week one’s House committee hearings. Legislators get back to business for week two today.
Read on for a recap of week one and a look ahead at week two.
Governor Landry Outlines Priorities
Governor Jeff Landry spoke on his top priorities during his opening address to the Legislature at the start of the 2025 Regular Session last week. Review a few highlights below:
On Louisiana Economic Development:
“Last year when we took office, Louisiana was ranked 31st in Economic Outlook compared to the other 49 states. In just 13 months, because of our reform of taxation and our aggressive economic development program, Louisiana has leapt up 13 places in economic outlook. This is the largest improvement of any state in the country.”
On Louisiana’s insurance crisis:
“Year after year, after year, we come here to argue about excessive insurance rates. Year after year, people from both sides show up to gaslight us. Year after year, we are promised by insurance companies that if we pass this or if we pass that, they will lower rates. It never happens. Year after year, we are promised by lawyers that if we conform the laws to favor the plaintiffs they represent, it won’t affect rates. That never happens either. The only thing worse than a little boy crying wolf is two little boys crying wolf!”
And on Louisiana DOTD:
“Last year, we successfully began reorganizing departments, like the Department of Economic Development. Many departments continue to achieve efficiencies, and our Cabinet officials deserve recognition for their ongoing efforts. We believe further reorganization plans this session will save taxpayer money and enhance efficiency.
Specifically, I propose reorganizing and modernizing our Department of Transportation & Development to improve public trust and address our state’s infrastructure issues.”
Watch Governor Landry’s full address here.
Legal Climate Reform
One issue exacerbating Louisiana’s highest-in-the-nation insurance costs is our litigious environment. Our state’s current legal system is structured to foster excessive litigation costs that are passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums. 1A supports legislation that will help to cultivate a more business-friendly, nationally competitive legal climate through common-sense changes that bring Louisiana more in line with other states. Four 1A-supported measures were reported favorably by House Civil Law and Procedure on 4/15 and now head to the full House for consideration:
- HB 431 by Rep. Chenevert would move Louisiana from a pure comparative fault system to a modified comparative fault system, preventing claimants from recovering damages if they are found to be 51% or more at fault for their own injuries – this change would put Louisiana in line with comparative fault policies in 34 other states.
- HB 450 by Rep. Melerine would repeal the Housley Presumption, a legal principle that unfairly tips the scales against defendants by automatically assuming an injury was caused by an accident, even without evidence of causation.
- HB 434 by Rep. Dewitt would expand Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” policy by raising the bar for recovery for drivers involved in an accident that were driving without the insurance required by state law – the bill would raise the bar for bodily injury and property damage to $100,000, up from $15,000 and $25,000 respectively, encouraging safer driving and compliance with the state’s compulsory insurance law.
- HB 443 by Rep. Henry would require attorneys to notify defendants of their intent to file a civil lawsuit within 10 days of the attorney being retained, providing the defense an opportunity to mitigate claims before a lawsuit is filed.
Read more on week one’s debates on insurance here.
DOTD Reform and Optimization
Governor Landry and legislators have made clear that a top priority of the 2025 Regular Session is reforming and optimizing the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), in effort to improve DOTD operations and make headway on the state’s nearly $20 billion infrastructure backlog. House Transportation hit the ground running, with Chairman Ryan Bourriaque presenting a package of bills to modernize the agency on day two of session. These 1A-supported measures were reported favorably in committee and now head to the full House:
- HB 528 would create the Office of Transformation within DOTD and strategically reorganize offices within the department to drive accountability and efficiency and provide for clear authority and delegation of duties.
- HB 556 would streamline DOTD operations and employee functions to allow the department to operate with flexibility and efficiency, realigning certain offices to expedite and provide greater accountability for timely project delivery. Most importantly, it would ensure that Transportation Trust Fund dollars are only used for project delivery costs.
- HB 621 would create a new state entity, the office of Louisiana Highway Construction, which would be tasked with reimagining transportation project delivery and operations and would be housed in the governor’s office. The bill was reported by substitute and became HB 640.
Read more on Chairman Bourriaque’s plans to modernize DOTD here.
LOOKING AHEAD
Legislators dive into week two today, and the bills detailed above could begin being considered on the House floor as early as this week. Lawmakers will continue digging into legislation across a full slate of committee hearings as well, including robust agendas in House Ways and Means and Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs – the Legislature’s tax-writing committees. 1A-supported legislation being led by Louisiana Economic Development to boost our state’s competitiveness, including measures to create a site investment fund and to continue restructuring efforts within the department, are expected to be scheduled for committee later this week.
1A is tracking key legislation across three priority areas:
- Economic competitiveness
- Talent development
- Infrastructure investment
Be on the lookout for 1A legislative updates on these issues, and more, at the beginning of each week during Session.