Week five of the 2025 legislative session gets underway as we near the halfway point of the 60-day session. A senate judiciary committee hears several auto insurance bills tomorrow, including those which would require plaintiffs to prove that their injuries were the result of the crash, limit payouts to uninsured injured drivers, limit payouts to those more than 50-percent at-fault and cap pain and suffering damages at five-million dollars. The latter one is believed to have significant opposition among those on the committee.

The House Health and Welfare Committee will soon hear Senate Bill 134, which would cap damages that nursing homes would be responsible for in cases of abuse and neglect. AARP is speaking out against it. Andrew Muhl with AARP Louisiana:

Cut (06) “…they’re responsible for.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says it clarifies existing malpractice law.

Cut (05) “…covered by malpractice.”

All eyes will be on the Senate Insurance Committee Wednesday as it hears House Bill 148. That gives the insurance commissioner the authority to arbitrarily reject rate increases he or she deems to be excessive, regardless of market conditions. Governor Landry supports it, but Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple opposes it. If the bill doesn’t reach Landry’s desk by the end of the session, lawmakers may be forced to try again – Landry says he will call a special session on the issue in that instance.

It’s no secret that Landry and Temple have had an acrimonious relationship, despite both belonging to the same political party. With insurance commissioner being an elected position, all Landry can do is do his best to work with Temple – for now. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will hear a bill Wednesday that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position, filled by someone working at the pleasure of the governor instead of the voters.