Legislative Update

Legislative Update

For additional information, contact: Samantha Goodwin

November 2, 2010 Ballot (Amendments Only)

Severance Tax

House Bill 765- Would increase the amount of severance tax retained by the state on natural resources other than sulfur, lignite, and timber and would increase the maximum amount remitted to the parish governing authority where severance occurs from $850,000 to $1.85 million for FY 2011-2012 and to $2.85 million thereafter.

Ad Valorem taxes

House Bill 903- Would further limit the power of taxing authorities whose governing boards are not elected to increase millage rates without voters approval. Special fire protection or fire districts; ports, port harbor, terminal districts; and millage levied by certain levee districts would be excluded from the limitation.

Salary Increases

Senate Bill 67- Provides that any salary increase enacted by law, including for statewide elected officials, member so the Public Service Commission, and legislators will not be implements until a subsequent term of office.

Public Retirement

House Bill 229- Would require a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to authorize any state employee benefit provision having an actuarial cost.

Veterans/ Ad Valorem Taxes

House Bill 246- Would authorize parishes to hold elections to determine whether they want to allow the first $150,000 value of homes occupied by disabled veterans with a service connected disability rating at 100% to remain tax free.

Expropriated Property

House bill 276- Would remove the requirement that a public agency must offer to sell back to the owner property expropriated as a threat to public health.

Jury Trials

House Bill 940- Would require a defendant who wants to waive a trial by jury to make an irrevocable decision at least 45 days prior to the trial date except in capital cases.

Homestead Exemption

Senate Bill 21- Would grant a 2 year extension to the Homestead exemption from the five years to seven for homeowners who are unable to reoccupy their homes following a disaster. A local assessor may grant a displaced homeowner up to 3 more additional years on a case- by- case basis.

Worker’s Comp

Senate Bill- Would require a five- judge panel of a court of appeal to rehear arguments in cases dealing with a reversal or modification of a worker’s compensation claim when one judge one judge on the original 3-judge panel dissents.