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Reform
Louisiana's employee misclassification panel urged not to impose hefty fines on businesses
Business groups have urged a state task force studying the problem of employee misclassifications not to saddle businesses with onerous new regulations.
Reform
Louisiana trucking industry is in for the long haul on tort reforms
Louisiana’s trucking industry doesn’t expect any instant benefits such as lower vehicle insurance rates and fewer litigation burdens as a result of the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 taking effect Jan. 1.
Reform
New polling on attorney advertising hits home in Louisiana; Most people say it is 'annoying'
A new national survey showing 65 percent of Americans see attorney advertising as annoying and an attempt to take advantage of consumers seems to be resonating with legal observers in Louisiana.
Reform
Eastern District of Louisiana revamps juror selection system
The federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana is revamping its jury selection system to better ensure that jurors in civil and criminal cases reflect an accurate cross-section of the population it serves.
Reform
Task force finds compromise on law enforcement immunity
A state panel taking a closer look at law enforcement practices recently endorsed removing some litigation protections a controversial law afforded law enforcement.
Reform
Tort reform advocates await Louisiana Supreme Court's study of attorney ad reforms
Legislation aimed at making attorney advertising in Louisiana more transparent and less susceptible to misleading claims took effect this month, but tort reform advocates are now waiting for the state Supreme Court to embrace the new rules.
Reform
New Louisiana tort-reform law may take a year to affect car insurance rates, supporters say
A landmark Louisiana tort-reform bill aimed at reducing auto insurance costs took effect as the new year unfolded, but supporters say consumers may have to wait another year to see lower insurance bills.
Reform
Dispute between Edwards, lawmakers over his coronavirus orders returned to district court
The Louisiana Supreme Court has sent a dispute between Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican lawmakers over the governor’s authority to issue coronavirus orders back to the district court.
Reform
Only the legislature has power to deal with public defender caseload burdens, court rules
The state legislature, and not the Louisiana Supreme Court, must decide whether the state should spend more money and resources on reducing the caseloads of public defenders, the high court decided this month.
Reform
Louisiana corrections system faces probe over prisoner release delays
The U.S. Justice Department has launched a probe into practices within the Louisiana Department of Corrections that critics say have kept inmates behind bars long past their release dates.
Reform
Louisiana finishes in top 5 in 'Judicial Hellholes' report
Despite the recent passage of some civil litigation reforms and COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and health care facilities, Louisiana has earned a spot on the “Judicial Hellholes” list for the eighth year in a row.
Reform
Bowie County to begin overseeing its jails in government cost-cutting measure
A relationship between LaSalle Corrections and Bowie County dating back to 2010 is coming to a close, a situation that is not too uncommon in Texas and other parts of the country.
Reform
Edwards caps bill aimed at jumpstarting state's oil, gas industry
A House bill that Louisiana oil and gas companies saw as a way to revive their ailing industry was vetoed Wednesday by Gov. John Bel Edwards, who pointed to what he said were shortcomings in its severance tax exemptions.
Reform
Louisiana's oil industry sees some upsides to election results
Though it faces lawsuits from parishes seeking billions of dollars in compensation for coastal erosion and continuing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, Louisiana’s energy industry has taken some solace from the Nov. 3 election results.
Reform
Edwards vetoes bill that would check his power to respond to health emergencies
Gov. John Bel Edwards and the state legislature remain at loggerheads over the executive branch’s broad authority to issue regulations and orders to deal with health emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.
Reform
Louisiana's Amendment 2 would expand methods to assess oil and gas well
Louisiana voters on Nov. 3 will decide the fate of a constitutional amendment that supporters say will provide a fairer and more accurate way for the state to assess the value of oil and gas wells.
Reform
Federal dollars begin flowing to Louisiana unemployment fund
As state lawmakers work on reforming Louisiana’s unemployment fund, the state agency overseeing the fund has borrowed $4 million in federal funds as of Wednesday to keep the system solvent.
Reform
Justice Hughes files defamation suit against tort reform group's director; Critic says suit attempts to 'chill' speech
State Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes has filed a lawsuit against the executive director of Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, alleging that she defamed him in a 2019 letter to the editor she authored in The Advocate newspaper.
Reform
Louisiana governor's coronavirus orders facing increased push-back
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions have come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy urging more flexibility for churches and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy favoring a greater role for the state legislature.
Reform
Louisiana business-use car insurance premiums ranked among highest in nation
Louisiana ranked among the five most expensive states for the purchase of business-use vehicle insurance in a recent study, adding to a rising chorus of criticism about the cost of auto insurance premiums in the state.