BATON ROUGE, La. — A range of new legislation will redefine the way Louisianians vote, handle taxes, and more, with several new bills slated to take effect in 2025. These changes arrive after state lawmakers deliberated extensively during the regular legislative session and three special sessions focused on redistricting, criminal justice, and tax reform.
One notable law, Act 317 (SB218), is set to impose new constraints on absentee voting in Louisiana. Under this law, only immediate relatives will be permitted to hand in mail-in ballots for another voter, and absentee ballot applications cannot be distributed unless specifically requested by a voter. Additionally, seniors and individuals with disabilities will need to renew their eligibility for absentee voting every four years.
In the realm of criminal justice, Act 746 (HB874) will require electronic ankle monitoring services to become more regulated. Companies providing these services will need to register with law enforcement agencies and submit monthly monitoring reports.
Financially, Act 5 (HB2) will introduce sweeping changes to income taxation. This law, born out of a special tax reform session requested by the governor, cuts the corporate income tax rate from 7.5% to 5.5% and sets a flat rate of 3% for individual income taxes.
Employment laws will also see adjustments. Act 655 (HB566) is pivoting away from stringent educational requirements for state job applicants. This act stipulates that unless the position is senior-level or requires specialized skills, applicants need not have a bachelor’s degree or more than three years of related experience.
For military personnel and veterans, new financial perks are on the horizon. Act 173 (SB337) broadens a 25% auto insurance discount previously available to include military reservists and certain retired members of the armed forces.
The hemp industry in Louisiana will experience tighter regulations with the initiation of Act 752 (HB952). The revised law establishes limits on the serving sizes of THC products such as gummies and seltzers, bans the sale of flower hemp products, and prohibits any sale of hemp-THC items to individuals under the age of 21. Additionally, these products will no longer be available at gas stations.
Another workforce-related legislation, Act 273 (SB165), targets non-compete agreements for doctors, imposing a maximum duration of five years based on the physician’s specialization. Should a doctor leave their position within this timeframe, they could face restrictions on practicing within the geographical limits of their previous employer’s parish and adjacent areas for up to two years.
The seafood industry will be mandated to increase transparency with the passing of Act 148 (SB166). Going forward, any restaurant, market, or grocer dealing with imported crawfish or shrimp must clearly indicate the origin of the seafood to avoid misleading claims about being locally sourced.
Unemployment benefits are being overhauled as well. Act 412 (HB119) adjusts the duration of these benefits. The maximum eligibility will be reduced to 20 weeks when state unemployment levels exceed 8.5%, and decrease further to 12 weeks when the rate falls below 5%.
Further reflecting an emphasis on accountability and transparency, Act 500 (SB436) will mandate proof of citizenship for all voter registrations, with specific documentation requirements to be determined by the Secretary of State’s Office.
As these laws prepare to take effect, they reflect broader shifts in public policy and governance aimed at modernizing operations and increasing fairness across various sectors in Louisiana. These adjustments promise significant impacts on the daily lives of the state’s residents, affecting everything from employment to personal finance.
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