Several other reform measures unfortunately failed due to staunch opposition. House Bill 423, by Representative Michael Melerine, aimed to revise Louisiana’s collateral source rule to allow a jury to see both the “sticker price” of the medical bill and the amount paid by the plaintiff’s healthcare insurer. The bill was vetoed by Governor Landry. House Bill 24, also introduced by Representative Melerine, aimed to repeal the presumption that links an accident directly to a plaintiff’s subsequent injuries without requiring proof of causation. This presumption disadvantages defendants in personal injury cases. Representative Melerine’s bill sought to shift the burden of proof back to the plaintiff, aligning with standards observed in other states. Senate Bill 334, by Senator Kirk Talbot, would have extended the prescriptive period for personal injury accidents from one to two years, alongside a notice provision requiring claimants to alert insurers before filing suit. Despite efforts, the bill died in the Senate Judiciary A Committee. In contrast, House Bill 315, by Representative Mike Johnson, extended the time period for filing personal injury lawsuits to two years without similar notice provisions. Despite opposition from the business community, Governor Landry signed the bill into law on June 3. Looking ahead, Governor Landry is considering convening another special session in late July and early August to address constitutional revisions despite resistance from the Senate this past session. He argues that unlocking restricted funds within the constitution would grant the legislature greater latitude in allocating state budget resources. The fiscal 2025 regular session is set to begin on Monday, April 14, 2025, and will adjourn on Thursday, June 12, 2025. This session holds the potential for substantial reforms to Louisiana’s tax exemptions, credits, exclusions and other incentives. It is imperative that we maintain a vigilant and proactive stance to ensure the protection of our interests. While the session primarily focuses on fiscal issues, legislators can propose up to five bills addressing broader concerns. I intend to engage with the board, the legislative task force, dealers across the state and colleagues from other states to understand the issues that concern you. Through these dialogues, we will formulate a definitive set of legislative priorities for the upcoming session. Thank you once again for your active engagement throughout this session. Together, we are always stronger, and your involvement is the key to our collective success. 7
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