With only two days remaining in the 2025 legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers have stopped progress on the only two insurance bills aimed at helping homeowners facing soaring insurance costs.
Senate Bill 235 and House Bill 356 attracted significant public attention as many residents await action to reduce their expensive insurance premiums. Louisiana’s average homeowner insurance rates rank eighth highest in the country, according to industry source Insure.com.
Both bills had support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle but fell short of gaining enough votes from conservatives.
Senate Bill 235, sponsored by Senator Royce Duplessis, a Democrat from New Orleans, proposed an annual tax credit of up to $2,000 for homeowner insurance payments. The credit would have been available to anyone with homeowner’s insurance earning up to twice the federal poverty level. The bill also included a sunset clause to end the credit after 10 years.
After passing the Senate by a narrow margin, SB 235 failed in the House, losing by just two votes—49 against and 52 in favor—as House Republicans blocked it.
House Bill 356, introduced by Republican Representative Jacob Braud from Belle Chasse, aimed to let homeowners without mortgages buy “stated value” insurance policies. These policies allow owners to insure their homes for a lower, chosen amount instead of the full market value.
Although this bill is still technically active, it has been stripped down from the original version that passed the House with strong bipartisan support just last week. Republican Representative Tim Kerner of Lafitte praised the bill as the only one this year that truly helps homeowners afford insurance.
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