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Committee reports bill to criminalize and tighten penalties for landlords who withhold master‑meter utility payments
Summary
House Bill 6, advanced with amendments, targets out‑of‑state operators who collect tenant utility money and fail to remit it to providers, after testimony from municipal and utility witnesses and a local example of alleged theft.
Representative Jackson presented House Bill 6, describing cases in Caddo Parish where out‑of‑state operators collected rent that included utility payments but failed to remit those amounts to utility providers on master meters. He said the practice left tenants without essential services and that the bill targets “bad actors” while protecting leasing agents and other employees who are not culpable.
Jackson described an example he said happened in Shreveport: “Mister Amar, with Amar Holdings came into Shreveport, he stole $250,000 in utility payments. When he went to city court, he only got fined $2,500 and that is highway robbery and our citizens deserve...better.” The author said he had negotiated amendments with the Louisiana Apartment Association and other stakeholders to narrow liability and avoid prosecuting clerical employees.
Amendment set 25‑66, including technical clarifications and a compromise definition aimed at holding intentional fraudsters accountable while protecting ordinary employees, was adopted without objection. Support cards came from SWEPCO and the City of Shreveport; Senator Barrow moved and the committee reported HB 6 with amendments.
