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Small Bloc Stalls Legal Reform Progress
Five legislators blocked a critical step in Louisiana’s effort to build on recent, foundational legal reforms, threatening the state’s momentum toward a fair and predictable civil justice system. HB 526, sponsored by Rep. Kellee Hennessy Dickerson (R-Denham Springs), failed on a narrow 4–5 vote in committee, leaving a practical measure to curb runaway, subjective damage awards on the table.
The bill would have set a reasonable limit of $500,000 on general (non-economic) damages—the hard-to-quantify losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium. LABI and a strong coalition of business leaders framed it as a common-sense way to stabilize litigation costs and protect families, small businesses and job creators. Rep. Dickerson reinforced the issue, noting that inconsistent verdicts across the state drive settlements higher and increase litigation costs, ultimately burdening everyday policyholders.
During testimony, LABI’s Shelby Dunbar emphasized the bill’s balanced approach: “HB 526 doesn’t eliminate accountability, it restores balance. People will still be fully compensated for real, tangible losses—medical bills, lost wages, property damage. But putting reasonable guardrails on subjective general damages helps curb the kind of unpredictable, outsized verdicts that are driving commercial insurance costs to unsustainable levels.”
>>> “At the end of the day, this is about fairness.” – WATCH Shelby’s Testimony <<<
The setback was compounded when HB 173 by Rep. Dennis Bamburg (R-Bossier City), was also defeated in committee on a 4–5 vote. That measure sought to reinforce personal responsibility by prohibiting recovery for drivers whose auto insurance coverage—which is required by state law—has lapsed more than 30 days, building on last year’s ‘No Pay, No Play’ expansion. Like HB 526, its failure highlights how a select few lawmakers can slow practical, pro-growth reforms.
LABI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing meaningful legal reform, urging members to engage with lawmakers to ensure Louisiana continues building a competitive, predictable legal climate for families, employers and their businesses. We would like to thank the four lawmakers who voted to send both of these sensible pieces of legislation to the House Floor.
With LABI: Reps. Carlson, Chenevert, Edmonston and Melerine
Against LABI: Chairman Muscarello, Reps. Wilford Carter, Glorioso and Larvadain