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Committee hears homeowner concerns; Representative Farnham defers lien‑reform bill for further stakeholder work
Summary
Representative Farnham presented House Bill 140, a proposal to change how liens attach after small residential home improvements. The author said the Law Institute draft did not solve homeowner problems and the bill was voluntarily deferred while the author works with vendors, contractors and homeowners to find a narrower solution.
Representative Farnham introduced House Bill 140 on May 6, describing it as an effort to protect homeowners who, after paying a small contractor, later discover a mechanic’s lien was filed by an unpaid subcontractor. Farnham said last year’s study resolution sent the issue to the Louisiana State Law Institute, which returned a draft that the author believed did not solve the homeowner problem.
Farnham told the committee small home‑improvement projects often lack bond or surety protections and homeowners sometimes find liens filed months after work is completed. “The remedy that we’re looking for is a small piece of the puzzle,” Farnham said, adding he preferred to keep the bill in committee while he and stakeholders — lumber suppliers, contractors, small vendors and homeowners — seek a targeted solution.
David Cromwell, reporter for the Law Institute’s security devices committee, described the institute’s process and said the version the institute returned may not address the author’s concerns. Following discussion, Farnham asked to voluntarily defer the measure while continuing negotiations with stakeholders; the committee granted the voluntary deferral.
No committee vote on the merits was taken; the bill remains in committee while the author and stakeholders continue to seek revised language.
