NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - State lawmakers return to the capitol building on Monday to kick off the regular legislative session and there is plenty on the agenda including insurance affordability and Louisiana’s laws on recall efforts.
Rep. Mike Huval, R-Breaux Bridge, chairs the House Insurance Committee.
“There’s one thing that we cannot pass a law against in our state: to keep hurricanes from coming to our state,” said Huval.
Lawmakers will be asked to allocate $20 million to fund Louisiana’s new Fortified Homes Program. The thinking by some is if roofs are stronger, they will stand up better to intense storms and insurance rates will fall as a result.
“While the homeowners will need to meet some eligibility requirements and pay for permits, inspections and similar fees, the grants will cover the additional cost to retrofit homes to the fortified roof standards in most cases. I believe this program will help a lot of folks resist damage in the near future while potentially reducing residential property insurance costs in the entire state in the longer term,” said Huval.
Governor John Bel Edwards, who is term-limited and in his final months in office, has proposed a budget for the new fiscal year. His spending plan calls for a $3,000 pay raise for public school teachers and $1,500 more for school support workers.
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