Here's Where Things Stand in the Louisiana Legislature

• SB 77 by Senator Kostelka would have created a new government mandate adding an additional disclosure form to customers using after-market auto parts in the repair of vehicles. NFIB led a coalition to kill this proposal in Senate Commerce with a vote of 2 yeas to 6 nays. 
• SB 81 by Senator Peterson would have created a new government mandated paid sick leave benefit program forcing employers to provide this new benefit to employees. NFIB led opposition to this legislation and killed it in Senate Labor with a vote of 1 yea to 3 nays.
• SB 84 by Senator Peterson would have created the Louisiana Family and Medical Leave Act creating a new government mandate and new payroll tax for employers and employees to pay for the benefit. NFIB led opposition on legislation which was ultimately deferred by the author in Senate Labor.
• HB 679 by Representative St. Germain would have created a new government program relative to elevator inspections and would have required closure of a business in the event of an injury or death on an elevator or escalator. NFIB led opposition to this legislation which was killed in Senate Commerce with a vote of 7 yeas and 9 nays. 
• HB 677 by Representative Hunter would have established a state minimum wage. This bill did not receive a hearing due to pressure from NFIB and others.
• SB 219 by Senator Murray would have created an equal pay law in Louisiana for all private employers. Small Business (those employing 50 or fewer full time employees) was amended out of the requirements of the bill during Senate Floor debate, then passed the Senate with a vote 21 yeas and 16 nays. This legislation was killed in House Labor Committee. 
• SB 174 by Senator Broome provides for accommodations to be made for leasees involved in a domestic abuse situation. NFIB opposed this legislation on the Senate Floor due to language in the bill that extended the period that someone could bring a lawsuit against a lessor and provided for punitive damages. These provisions were amended out during Senate Floor debate, then the bill passed the Senate with a vote of 21 yeas and 16 nays. This legislation was amended to appease all sides and passed the full House.
• SB 173 by Senator Heitmeier mandates group insurance policies cover the treatment of morbid obesity. NFIB opposed this legislation on the Senate Floor and small business (those employing 50 or fewer full time employees) were exempted out of the mandate. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 28 yeas and 9 nays. This legislation was killed in House Insurance.

Financial Issues

NFIB played a key role in winning an exemption for small businesses from a reduction in the state inventory tax credit.

Other relevant small business tax changes:

• HCR 8: All business owners of all sizes will now pay 1 cents of the 4 cents state sales tax. While it is a tax increase, we fought to be sure it didn’t go up to 2 cents alongside the rest of the business coalition.
• HB 218: All business owners of all sizes will no longer be able to carryback net operating loss, however will be able to carry forward for 20 years.
• HB 624 and HB 629: Tax credits and exemptions that some of you may take advantage of were reduced by 28% and set to have a 3 year sunset on the reduction. NFIB does not take a position on these but some of you may utilize them.;