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2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 484
BY SENATOR DUPLESSIS
PROPERTY INSURANCE. Provides for changes to the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.
(gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 22:1483.1(A) and (C) and R.S. 44:1(B)(11), to enact R.S.
3 22:1483.1(B)(5) and (E)(3), and to repeal R.S. 22:1483.1(F), relative to the
4 Louisiana Fortify Homes Program; to provide the commissioner of insurance may
5 apply for grants or other funding, if available; to provide the commissioner of
6 insurance may enter into certain agreements with public agencies and private
7 entities; to require the grantee to submit to random reinspections; to provide certain
8 information and records are confidential; to provide for an effective date; to repeal
9 the termination date; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
10 matters.
11 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
12 Section 1. R.S. 22:1483.1(A) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
13 22:1483.1(B)(5) and (E)(3) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
14 §1483.1. Louisiana Fortify Homes Program
15 A.(1) The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is hereby created within the
16 department. The commissioner, as program administrator, may make financial grants
17 to retrofit roofs of insurable property, as defined in R.S. 22:1483(C)(9), with a
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 484
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1 homestead exemption to resist loss due to hurricane, tornado, or other catastrophic
2 windstorm events and to meet or exceed the "fortified roof" standard of the Insurance
3 Institute for Business and Home Safety. The commissioner shall promulgate rules
4 and regulations governing to govern the eligibility requirements for grants and the
5 administration of the program.
6 (2) The commissioner may apply for grants or funds from the federal
7 government or other funding sources to supplement the funds appropriated by
8 the legislature. The commissioner may use grant funds to pay for inspections for
9 grant applicants subject to the terms of the grant.
10 (3) The commissioner may enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement
11 with public agencies and private entities for projects pursuant to this Section.
12 A cooperative endeavor partner may administer grants or funds in the manner
13 required by the cooperative endeavor agreement.
14 B. In order to receive a grant pursuant to this Section, the grantee shall do all
15 of the following:
16 * * *
17 (5) Submit to random reinspection of the retrofitted insurable property.
18 C.(1) The name of a recipient of a grant received pursuant to this Section, the
19 amount of the grant, and the municipal address of the retrofitted insurable property
20 shall be a public record.
21 (2) All information and records received pursuant to this Section other
22 than those listed in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall be deemed
23 confidential and exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Law,
24 R.S. 44:1 et seq. Nothing in this Subsection shall prevent the use of such
25 information or records for the compilation of statistical data wherein the
26 identity of the applicant, grantee, evaluator, or contractor is not disclosed.
27 * * *
28 E. This Section does not create any of the following:
29 * * *
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1 (3) A guarantee, warranty, or surety on the part of the state for the
2 performance of any obligation undertaken by an applicant, evaluator, or
3 contractor.
4 Section 2. R.S. 44:4.1(B)(11) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
5 §4.1. Exceptions
6 * * *
7 B. The legislature further recognizes that there exist exceptions, exemptions,
8 and limitations to the laws pertaining to public records throughout the revised
9 statutes and codes of this state. Therefore, the following exceptions, exemptions, and
10 limitations are hereby continued in effect by incorporation into this Chapter by
11 citation:
12 * * *
13 (11) R.S. 22:2, 14, 31, 42.1, 88, 244, 263, 265, 461, 550.7, 571, 572, 572.1,
14 572.2, 574, 601.3, 618, 639, 691.4, 691.5, 691.6, 691.7, 691.8, 691.9, 691.9.1,
15 691.10, 691.38, 691.56, 732, 752, 753, 771, 834, 972(D), 976, 1008, 1019.2, 1203,
16 1460, 1464, 1466, 1483.1, 1488, 1546, 1559, 1566(D), 1644, 1656, 1657.1, 1660.7,
17 1723, 1796, 1801, 1808.3, 1927, 1929, 1983, 1984, 2036, 2045, 2056, 2085, 2091,
18 2293, 2303, 2508
19 * * *
20 Section 3. R.S. 22:1483.1(F) is hereby repealed in its entirety.
21 Section 4. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
22 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
23 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
24 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
25 effective on the day following such approval.
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Beth O'Quin.
DIGEST
SB 484 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Duplessis
Present law authorizes the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) to provide financial
grants to retrofit roofs for insurable properties that have a homestead exemption to provide
a fortified roof that meets or exceeds the fortified roof standard of the Insurance Institute for
Business and Home Safety.
Present law requires the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to govern the eligibility
requirements for grants and the administration of the program.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the commissioner is required to promulgate rules
and regulations when it is necessary for the proper administration of the La. Fortified Homes
Roof Program.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to apply for grants or funds from the federal
government or other funding sources, if available.
Present law requires a grantee receiving a grant do all of the following:
(1)Obtain all permits required by law or ordinance for construction.
(2)Arrange and pay for inspections required by law or ordinance and the terms of the
grant, which includes inspection pursuant to present law.
(3) Complies with applicable building codes.
(4) Maintain records as required by present law and the terms of the grant.
Proposed law retains present law but adds a requirement that the grantee submit to random
reinspections of his retrofitted insurable property.
Proposed law requires insurable property meet certain building requirements.
Present law provides the provisions of the La. Fortify Homes Roof Program terminate at
midnight on June 30, 2025.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 22:1483.1(A) and (C) and RS 44:1(B)(11); adds R.S.22:1483.1(B)(5) and
(E)(3); repeals R.S. 22:1483.1(F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Insurance to the original
bill
1. Makes technical change.
2. Provides the commissioner may apply for grants or other funds.
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3. Provides the commissioner may enter into certain agreements with public
agencies and private entities for certain projects.
4. Provides for a discount program for the La. wind mitigation inspection
certificate.
5. Provides certain information and records are confidential.
6. Deletes proposed law relative to submission of rates and rating plans.
7. Deletes proposed law relative to insurers providing certain discounts or rate
reductions.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.