04/11/2008
While many of the bills passed the first couples of weeks of session make only minor changes to existing state law, the House Insurance Committee heard a bill aimed at passing a health insurance mandate. Regarding other legislation, the trial lawyers and labor unions are pushing their agendas vigorously this session. Small business owners must pay attention and be willing to take action to stop these special interest groups from bullying their way through the legislative process.
Health insurance mandate moving
House Bill 318 by Rep. Chuck Kleckley (Lake Charles) would mandate health insurance coverage of prosthetics. The bill was heard in the House Insurance Committee and passed by a vote of 6-3. NFIB/Louisiana State Director Renee Baker testified in opposition to the bill, pointing out that the increased cost would cause small business owners to re-evaluate whether they can afford to offer health insurance for their employees.
Small business does not need the layering affect of adding an additional mandate to the 43 state mandated benefits already. It's worth noting, too, that big business would not have to offer the proposed prosthetic benefit because they are self-insured and protected by federal law.
HB 318 bill will be heard on the House floor next week. We sent an alert asking you to contact your legislators. The opposition is pressing hard on lawmakers to support this bill. Your legislator needs to hear from you about how HB 318 would impact your small business.
HB 318 is only the first of nine other mandate bills filed covering benefits from fertility treatment to contraceptives. We will keep you posted as the other bills move through the process.
Government competing with private companies?
NFIB/Louisiana is watching HB 334, the Inmate Rehabilitation and Workforce Development Act, sponsored by Rep. Elbert Guillory (Opelousas). There are concerns the bill may allow the government to compete directly with private businesses by putting inmates to work for outside companies. HB 334 hasn't been heard in committee.
Other bills of interest
Senate Bill 287 by Sen. Willie Mount (Lake Charles) is the Health Care Consumers Right to Know bill. It would give consumers access to provider-specific health care costs, quality and outcome. The bill has passed out of committee and is moving to the Senate floor.
SB 152 by Sen. Don Cravins Jr. (Lafayette) would allow group life insurance policies to be extended to cover more family members. The bill, which has already cleared the Senate and is moving to the House, would give access to those who want to exercise an option to cover more family members with fewer restrictions under group life insurance.
HB 129 by Rep. Nickie Monica (LaPlace) would increase the civil jurisdictional amount in dispute for certain suits in a justice of the peace courts. HB 129, which has passed out of the House and is moving to the Senate, would allow for more decisions to be made by a justice of the peace rather than having to go to district court.
House Concurrent Resolution 9 by Rep. Karen Peterson (New Orleans) urges the Department of Economic Development to review and report on the effectiveness of certain tax exemptions and tax credits annually. HCR 9 passed and was sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal, but many in the business community are puzzled as to how an exemption's effectiveness will be determined and why the taxes paid by business, especially small business, are not included to balance the picture.
HB 606 by Rep. Joe Lopinto (Metairie) would provide for discounts on automobile insurance for vehicles that have a GPS system. The bill has passed out of committee and will be heard on the House floor.
Congressional races
On April 5, Louisiana held special primary runoffs in both the first and sixth congressional districts. General elections for both specials will be held on May 3.
The first district seat was left vacant upon the election of now-Gov. Jindal. In the Republican runoff, Steve Scalise (58 percent) defeated Tim Burns (42 percent). Scalise will face Democratic nominee Gilda Reed in the general election.
The sixth district seat was previously held by Rep. Richard Baker, who left office in February. In the Democratic runoff, Dan Cazayoux (57 percent) beat Michael Jackson (43 percent). In the Republican runoff, Louis "Woody" Jenkins (62 percent) defeated Laurinda Calongne (38 percent) in the Republican runoff. Jenkins and Cazayoux will face each other in the general election.
NFIB is currently working to formally endorse candidates in both races.
Federal watch
U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin (Ill.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Norm Coleman (Minn.) have introduced Senate Bill 2795, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act. The SHOP Act would make health insurance more affordable, predictable and accessible for the self-employed and small businesses with up to 100 employees. The legislation offers tax incentives to encourage states to fix poorly functioning small group insurance markets and creates state purchasing pools supported by a voluntary, nationwide pool.
Small Business Day at the Capitol will be May 14
NFIB/Louisiana expects small business owners from around the state to attend this year's event. Small Business Day gives members the chance to speak out on the issues affecting them and their businesses. Register now by contacting Member Support Manager Jennifer Rome at 225-298-1260.
2008 National Small Business Summit: Louisiana small business owners need to attend!
Any independent business owners who want to grow their businesses and influence lawmakers should join us for this year's small business conference in Washington, D.C. We're inviting the top two presidential candidates as well as other important political leaders and decision makers. We need to have Louisiana well-represented at this year's event. Register online.
Useful links 
Louisiana State LegislatureLouisiana Department of Economic Development -- Small Business ResourcesLouisiana Small Business Development Centers Louisiana Small Business Employee TrainingSmall Business Administration -- Louisiana
