[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6063081,"mediaKeyId","3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253","parentId",3272661,"title","Committee pauses Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property proposal after extensive testimony; sponsor seeks more stakeholder work","audioSeconds",1976,"startMs",8904000,"endMs",10880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253&start=8904&end=10880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253/thumbnail_8904000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063081/Louisiana/Committee-pauses-Uniform-Partition-of-Heirs-Property-proposal-after-extensive-testimony-sponsor-seeks-more-stakeholder-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063081-a351ae687fd97c9383096252bace9a35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105697&Signature=eq-N7FR-qmSvFUyAxLrgZlTlh8UkoCquRz1IEKXjt3efJBynFZup4RFADL2cEkry~jfv1duLZ1f8oWGqJLPSxDCiXK1irxy5h41oH8-uEEM~kwnqyR8~o1-ZRv3RwPzg9hw6bsOC8fD6SKNwHsaO2xA3lO60yQw~rkklvnCHKc7e-deZcKw07TwjRFoBwKzCJMEBESIl9x314cZghVvS-mWEm-XzmYkhrHjIhIG9mG~vE~Idfq7DjGaVtVWA-9gPlLCfSD3JSqw8p4ICS2~gQ4TUWramrIu6zCVMrsbE1elAo41P3qPYqwhLQH4zvve6RfQw3qJmudfmGgtFeMKCOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Carter introduced HB 175, a bill modeled on the Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act (UPHPA) intended to help families retain generational property when co-owners with fractional interests force partitions that can result in sales to third-party speculators.

Professor Ron Scalise, reporter for the Successions and Donations Committee at the Louisiana State Law Institute, framed the bill as an attempt to align Louisiana with a 25-state trend adopting UPHPA provisions that require fair-market appraisals, provide a right of first refusal for co-owners, and otherwise reduce incentives for opportunistic partitions. He said Louisiana already has tools (R.S. 9:11.13 and Civil Code Article 811) but that those provisions do not go far enough, and that the draft borrows key safeguards from the uniform act.

Multiple descendants and heirs testified about family properties lost or nearly lost to partition sales, describing how the pandemic complicated timely notice and fundraising. Toya Avery of New Orleans described raising roughly $400,000 to try to save 27 acres she said her family lost in a 2020 sale. Adrienne Wheeler of Louisiana Appleseed said the group had mapped approximately 175,000 likely heirs-property parcels statewide and that the proposed law could provide mediation and a legal framework to keep property in family use.

Opponents from the Louisiana Land Title Association and private practitioners urged caution. They said the proposal could prolong litigation, add costs (appraisals, broker commissions), and change long-standing public policy that gives each co-owner the right to demand partition. LLTA representatives said prior reforms — including partition by private sale with appraisal — already address some concerns and warned the new approach could disadvantage some co-owners.

Representative Carter moved a substitute motion to voluntarily defer the bill to allow further stakeholder work. After a roll-call, the committee recorded an outcome on the substitute motion (roll-call result recorded as 8 yes, 4 no); the sponsor characterized the deferral as an opportunity to continue negotiations among stakeholders and legislative leadership pledged to assist in refining workable language.

Why it matters: Supporters described the bill as a tool to preserve family wealth and prevent predatory purchasers from extinguishing long-held family land; opponents flagged procedural, cost and legal-policy trade-offs that the sponsor agreed to address through additional stakeholder outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Civil Law - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Carter presented a draft based on the Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act to protect heirs from forced sales; committee members heard multiple family testimonies and stakeholders on both sides, and the sponsor offered to voluntarily defer the bill to refine consensus language.","taxTitle","Civil Law and Procedure, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Louisiana","taxId",20970,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063085,"Panel requires non-attorney notaries to carry bonds, raises coverage to $25,000",681,7694000,8375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253&start=7694&end=8375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253/thumbnail_7694000.jpg","/articles/6063085/Louisiana/Panel-requires-non-attorney-notaries-to-carry-bonds-raises-coverage-to-25000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063085-807ac7dfc2d1e575fc30cb59b92eb1d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105697&Signature=F91VFCW6lp4zN9UN7rWO7fmsOT1eXmKOsS2f-vRHI~30h66sAUPraF1lSnGLZAUc~mO8rtPpyUFp7O4bYJ-VPm0r4CYe0Zajxmxs7zn2a3Z634HXMji8EAWMCr4jYvhdIwLvhZ6-m9mt43SwyaV1fBre-Ddt~GDkR49uEJNjRuyqKpyjTQp~Gkf26FOxyj4iuPlE4nxgzMqUZg8n0o9diWa4I~dHp6x3xjlB3XyxkiFq6pYPrYruJ-znOGIPo1i-dRzcUF5W~oxZ8IPKcHm-2~iaL-PE92FkWTpl8DJH6nMHqldPVGeFydk3qrFEuAARt5Qgn268AXJ0vfrKLuM01g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Taylor presented HB 259 to require non-attorney notaries to hold a surety bond and increase the minimum coverage from $10,000 to $25,000. The bill also would streamline filing so commercial sureties file with the Secretary of State rather than record with each parish clerk.

Alan Jennings, legislative liaison for the Louisiana Notary Association, explained the change restores a mandatory bond requirement that had been optional since a 2004 change that allowed insurance as an alternative. Jennings argued bonds directly protect the public if a notary commits fraud or a criminal act: “The bond is the only pocket you have to be [reimbursed],” he said.

Lieutenant Mindy Keith and Sergeant Ryan Beard of the Louisiana State Police testified about cases in which fraudulent notarizations were used in vehicle identity (VIN) swaps and title fraud. Lieutenant Keith described schemes that push cloned vehicles back into commerce and lead to multiple innocent buyers losing cars; she said altered or rubber-stamped documents with notarizations contributed to those cases. Sergeant Beard said such frauds can create two victims: the theft victim and a subsequent good-faith purchaser.

The committee adopted a package of technical amendments and reported HB 259 as amended on a unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: Committee testimony linked the bond requirement to consumer protection, saying a commercially issued bond provides an immediate fund to compensate victims of notarization fraud; the measure also intends to keep notarization practices consistent across parishes while increasing financial protection.","The committee approved changes requiring most non-attorney notaries to carry a surety bond (not insurance alone), raising the minimum from $10,000 to $25,000 and streamlining filing; state police witnesses described fraud cases tied to fraudulent notarizations in vehicle VIN-swapping schemes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063092,"Committee approves civil-liability measure targeting out-of-state suppliers of abortion pills amid contested testimony",4527,3126000,7653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253&start=3126&end=7653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253/thumbnail_3126000.jpg","/articles/6063092/Louisiana/Committee-approves-civil-liability-measure-targeting-out-of-state-suppliers-of-abortion-pills-amid-contested-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063092-f1ab1b842b0c8b579804e4b4e61c1d1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105698&Signature=GCBcuaKw0eRs~s3fWITeBLjActzeCBwbYpiYOczPbNCcfiKfNUdDxigMkhVz5BB6fg-XyOU3u1CUqT6ikHzQBigqPl9-GTvc1Ma2vGDnSsEbHgQXav~ljD2lqO6S9RP2Fu4kS2hbuvxbgZrn7sY7~7gSHm-R9EtJi0S4CFFjG7dQzeYIZVnAn3GTczJK4YTv~IWzXZ8VjPhvu-wHjo9irc9dHCrjePI5tsc~joZohxc2w6lMXZf0WSVQZyhVqH5doJP5zRBSs7brggM3ksvA~ZDtooL6pUO1SpEutgOhCDq6N~pH6rbWoJDQ-dhbXZYUlbyf8~drzMkkCbmdPVE3Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ventrella presented HB 575, described in committee as the Justice for Victims of Abortion Drug Dealers Act. She said the measure aims to allow civil recovery against out-of-state providers who mail abortion-inducing medication into Louisiana in violation of state law.

The Attorney General spoke in support, characterizing the conduct described by the bill as illegal under Louisiana law and said civil remedies would be an additional tool alongside criminal prosecution. “In our opinion, the crime did occur here in Louisiana,” the attorney general said, describing ongoing criminal investigations involving out-of-state practitioners.

Witnesses supporting the bill included representatives of Louisiana Right to Life and survivors who said pills obtained remotely were sometimes used coercively or without adequate medical screening. Erica Bales Inzena, policy director with Louisiana Right to Life, described online services that ship pills from out-of-state providers and said those services often do not verify gestational age, identity, or provide follow-up medical care.

Opponents included physicians, medical-advocacy groups and patient advocates who warned that the bill’s drafting is broad and could sweep in legal medical care, hamper access to legitimate medical uses of the drugs (for example, for miscarriage management or treatment of postpartum hemorrhage), and create civil exposure that could chill clinical practice. Attorney Ellie Schilling said the bill as drafted “does not require fault, causation or damages,” and warned it could conflict with existing products-liability and malpractice structures.

The committee adopted multiple amendment sets, including changes that (per the amendment summary) broadened the civil cause of action language in subsection A1, added an exclusion from liability for mental-health professionals and advocates who provide counseling without referral to abortion resources, and made other technical changes. Representative Ventrella said the bill is not intended to punish legitimate medical care and that jury instructions and prosecution remain necessary elements for determining liability.

Representative Edmondson moved to report HB 575 as amended. Representative Carter objected and a roll-call vote was held. The committee recorded the measure as reported as amended (tally recorded in the hearing: 8 yes, 2 no).","After hours of testimony from the attorney general, victims' advocates and medical societies, the committee reported HB 575 as amended; the bill creates a civil cause of action against persons who \"perform, cause or substantially facilitate\" an unlawful abortion and sets statutory damages and exceptions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063095,"Committee backs bill requiring manufacturers to disable remote vehicle access for domestic violence victims",1207,1219000,2426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253&start=1219&end=2426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253/thumbnail_1219000.jpg","/articles/6063095/Louisiana/Committee-backs-bill-requiring-manufacturers-to-disable-remote-vehicle-access-for-domestic-violence-victims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063095-f897da73accddddf1240ed67ce5c832d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105698&Signature=afkryh62eK716hwIDSIMB-Ujv7jzAAnTZe1mWkjXYShK~3XfHbLUr4-2OXClA3hsBHGs5LP9~RRQoVgDN3ISrQaI8k6Jy-IHDmEnBkuuXXxgHB6el-acL7uP-0SoE3K0sWoEbRN3~4CuAD7OSM9PZWFEV4Oug8a9QsowRL7tUazbHRIqpP3sTpMDQkJ45NF4UrdLXS3paQGRkWVWqSG4r2cdM~4s1VQ~cJk3ZLMGY5e1k8ofsCnjwjKMUQx4Tp3zvwtfo-1alNg4FA3GyNw3iHx7d4anLJptK1yNzeBN6qkMqKxESC5wgq6appMp9dCw~QYgMDQ7AmC6QGt8A2mfTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speaker pro tem Mike Johnson and Representative Edmondson presented HB 74, the \"Justice for Survivors of Technology-Enabled Abuse\" bill, to address growing use of connected-vehicle remote access by domestic abusers.

Representative Mike Johnson, the bill’s author in the House, described cases in which abusers used manufacturer apps to lock or unlock vehicles, start or stop engines, honk horns, change temperature settings and track victims in real time. “This bill creates a clear path for the survivor victims to reclaim their safety and control over their vehicles and over their lives,” Johnson said.

Detective Kelly Downey of the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office testified on law-enforcement experience with apps that provide real-time location and remote control features. “I have investigated cases where the abuser would start the car in a closed garage in the middle of the night, set off the alarm, lock and unlock the door,” Downey said, and described a case where one abuser used the app more than 300 times over 40 days.

Survivor Christine Dowdle described the ongoing fear and loss of autonomy when a third party can track and remotely control a vehicle: “This bill is about restoring control to those who have lost it. It's about saying you have a right to live without being followed, watched, hunted by someone who claimed to love you.”

The committee adopted Amendment Set 2,521 before approving the bill. Key changes included a carve-out if a manufacturer “technologically cannot disable” remote access and a provision that manufacturers and their officers or agents are not liable for civil claims deriving from a technological inability to disable the feature. The amendments also renamed the penalty fund the Survivor Empowerment Fund.

Representative Edmondson moved to report HB 74 as amended; the committee recorded no objection and the bill was reported favorably.

Why it matters: Testimony from law enforcement, a survivor, and advocacy organizations framed the bill as a safety measure that provides victims a secure process to request suspension of vehicle remote access when they hold a protective order and a property interest in the vehicle. The amendments aim to balance victim protections with manufacturer technical limits and liability concerns.","After survivor testimony and law-enforcement support, the committee approved HB 74 with amendments requiring carmakers to provide a secure process to suspend remote access when victims supply a certified protective order and proof of property interest.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063099,"Committee advances bill to allow condo assessments to overcome homestead exemption",961,69000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253&start=69&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3272661-06c01a304f26d2eea5a6e45508398253/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6063099/Louisiana/Committee-advances-bill-to-allow-condo-assessments-to-overcome-homestead-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063099-ff356e80cca01f44ccc39f3084a08369/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105698&Signature=Jmu0uTj-KuINIEWo2SoT7w-hIbtPu~vs3n2UdvgcpfmF~8N3GCBnT9fkrdXIEyNwP3AX-8YphPFoBd6QNJVaV5jaSQ~~QrGFi6L0JZQ59m~CTjcfFYaIJ~eIv8NL2NP5peeOYY9nmhwkGxsdqa5Jf5R8M-hzi3dgXfPT7jl5YAWpAD9VVPDGaoKoPf2-sJBdMyye9iis~BpI6M6rgYTy45WGZiHuHc3zO0kkatpjPcC~TT1Gs-oqaiRQHUFS2Ya9GxZKpoB~6UgQKdZsEyTWTo853qOFCnrtEgWvmIzlPLfR9ouCw0cJEGSCcGotp32Ef4aALClyJ2AWa4l7L3gzug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Davis asked the committee to consider HB 343, a bill prompted by constituent testimony that seeks to treat unpaid condominium association assessments as part of the homestead exemption exceptions currently codified in Title 20.

The committee heard detailed testimony from condominium owner and board treasurer Steve Bradshaw, who described a situation at Village Tremont where one unit owner owed about $40,000 in unpaid HOA fees. He said the current homestead-exemption scheme can prevent associations from offsetting those unpaid assessments and leaves other unit owners to subsidize repairs and maintenance. “We believe that Title 20, as it's now written, just unfairly enriches the unit owner who is subject to our judgment and, who has continues not to pay, their shares,” Bradshaw testified.

Representative Carter asked who determines HOA assessment amounts; Bradshaw said budgets vary by condominium declaration and the board of governors in his association makes final budget decisions after member meetings. Representative Carlson confirmed the practical effect, noting that a unit owner with little equity can avoid collection, leaving other owners to cover costs. Representative Brown clarified the bill applies to condominium associations, not neighborhood homeowner associations.

Representative Davis closed by asking the committee to pass the bill “favorably,” and Representative Carlson moved to report HB 343 favorably. With no objection, the committee reported the bill out of committee.

Why it matters: Supporters told the committee the change would let associations recover unpaid assessments in more cases and reduce subsidization by other unit owners; opponents did not offer testimony at the hearing recorded in the transcript.

The bill will proceed to the next legislative stage for consideration by the full House.","The House Civil Law and Procedure Committee voted to report HB 343 favorably after testimony that current homestead exemption rules can shield delinquent condominium owners and shift costs to other unit owners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee pauses Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property proposal after extensive testimony; sponsor seeks more stakeholder work

Panel requires non-attorney notaries to carry bonds, raises coverage to $25,000

Committee approves civil-liability measure targeting out-of-state suppliers of abortion pills amid contested testimony

Committee backs bill requiring manufacturers to disable remote vehicle access for domestic violence victims

Committee advances bill to allow condo assessments to overcome homestead exemption