Capitol Access

A bill that would require insurance carriers to notify the Department of Insurance when they stop, pause or resume writing policies in a particular region of the state passed Monday. If Gov. Jeff Landry signs off on SB 137, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

There’s a new Landry serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

A bill that would exempt prescription drugs and insulin from state and local taxes will go before the full House Monday.

A Louisiana House committee is set to hear a bill that would let people file civil lawsuits over suspected illegal abortions.

HB 640, which would establish the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction and HB 556, which would restructure the Department of Transportation and Development are scheduled to go before the full House vote Tuesday afternoon.

“This is what you should be able to do, is to protest peacefully," demonstrator Sue Phillips said.

Bills involving nutrition, fluoride in public water systems and the insurance industry advanced in committees this week.

A bill that would have protected the practice of IVF in Louisiana failed to make it out of a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.

Insurance reform continues to be a top priority at the State Capitol. During the last regular session, lawmakers passed bills insurance carriers said would make the state more business-friendly and lead to lower rates. But House Insurance Committee member Rep. Matthew Willard (D-New Orleans), says what they’ve done in the past hasn’t worked.

Lawmakers gave final approval to a judicial budget with one-time stipends for judges and brought this year’s session to a close just minutes before the 6 p.m. deadline.