The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) acknowledges the passage of several legal reform bills during the 2025 Legislative Session as a positive step but emphasizes that more work is needed to address the state’s insurance crisis and lawsuit abuse culture.

House Bills 450, 434, 436, and 431, along with Senate Bill 231, represent meaningful progress toward correcting a legal environment that has contributed to escalating insurance premiums.  These bills address key issues, including the elimination of the Housley presumption, updates to the “No Pay, No Play” law, limits on non-economic damages for illegal aliens, reforms to the collateral source rule, and a shift to a modified comparative fault standard.

The shift to modified comparative fault in HB 431 is a particularly significant change, bringing Louisiana more in line with national standards and reinforcing personal accountability.

“We commend the lawmakers who championed and supported these bills,” said LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar. “However, Louisiana still lags behind other states in meaningful legal reform.  This is not the time to declare victory; we have a long way to go.”

LMTA urges continued momentum in future legislative sessions to address outstanding issues, including transparency in medical billing, the elimination of phantom damages, and pervasive fraud that distorts claims and inflates costs.

The LMTA expresses concern about the potential negative impact of HB 148, which could undermine the positive reforms enacted this session.  The association is monitoring market reactions to assess the bill's potential counterproductive effects.

“We hope HB 148 doesn't undo the progress made,” Amar stated.  “We remain in a precarious position, and any indication that Louisiana is not serious about reform could have detrimental consequences.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s veto of SB 111, which would have clarified Louisiana’s “bad faith” insurance laws, is a significant setback for reform.  The veto perpetuates a system vulnerable to opportunistic lawsuits and hinders efforts to stabilize the insurance market.

“Decades of damage cannot be undone in a single legislative session," Amar emphasized.  “Louisiana citizens deserve a fair legal system that doesn’t incentivize manipulation and drive insurers out of the state.”

The LMTA remains committed to collaborating with lawmakers, regulators, and industry partners to pursue comprehensive reforms needed to stabilize Louisiana’s insurance market and legal climate.