New Louisiana laws take effect August 1

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – New laws will go into effect in Louisiana on August 1. Governor Jeff Landry signed 516 bills into law and vetoed 18. Below is a list of some of those legislative actions and how they could affect you.

Kratom is now criminalized in Louisiana. The new law will apply to the possession, production and distribution of controlled substances.

Laws protecting children from predators are a regular legislative occurrence, and the Louisiana legislature has defined and made illegal the crime of "grooming." Starting on August 1, 2025, the state defines "grooming" as the pursuit of an intimate relationship with a child under the age of 17 through seduction, emotional manipulation, threats, promises, coercion, enticement, isolation, or extortion with specific intent to commit a sexual offense against a minor, whether aggravated or not.

Gift card scams can be prosecuted under a new law authored by Senator Bob Hensgens, who represents parts of Acadiana, in SB38. The new law creates the crime of "theft of gift cards or gift card redemption information." Charges begin for misappropriations of under $100 and go up to those exceeding $25,000.

Slow drivers, R.S. 32:71(B)(2) is for you! Any vehicle on a multilane highway at a speed lower than the maximum posted speed limit shall drive in the right lane except when overtaking a vehicle or making a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Failure to comply will result in fines of $150 - $250.

Veterinarians and veterinary clinics are now included in the definition of "healthcare professional" or "healthcare facility," providing them the same protections that doctors, nurses, or others in hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and the like. Now, doctors and animal hospital staff members are concerned about members of the public who "disrupt operations" at the facility through acts of violence or other threatening acts.

Filmmakers who apply for state-certified productions or "qualified entertainment companies" approved by the Louisiana Economic Development are eligible for the state's film tax incentive program.

You've seen the memes and online commentary about learning the Pythagorean theorem in schools instead of basic financial literacy, and now high schoolers in Louisiana will know what generations before them did not. While the particulars of the curriculum will seemingly be left to BESE and local districts, the language in R.S. 17:270(B)(2)(n) requires that topics include but are not limited to scholarships, grants, and other financial opportunities to pay for postsecondary education.

Notaries may now receive death certificates in certain circumstances if they can prove they are assisting an heir of the deceased with small details of succession preparation.

Taxicab drivers have long cried foul over the requirement that they obtain a chauffeur's license, while ride-share drivers who provide similar transportation services do not. HB170 eliminates that requirement, allowing taxicab drivers to operate using the standard Class E license in Louisiana, which is for drivers of passenger vehicles.

State park wardens can now ticket litterbugs. This legislation was supported by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, who is a champion of eliminating litter in Louisiana.

The next time you attend a high school athletic event; you may notice new signage. This's because ACT 89 authorizes campaign signs on school athletic facilities and gymnasiums, provided the political candidate or campaign pays for the sign. Signs are prohibited from being in the right-of-way of publicly owned property or placed on public utility poles and stanchions. The law is subject to the school board policy.

Multifamily property owners who do not pay for utilities that are included in monthly rent payments can be held accountable by local municipalities. Senator Sam Jenkins and Senator Thomas Pressly drafted the bill. Both senators represent Caddo Parish, an area that made news for multiple properties in Shreveport that were delinquent in utilities, causing hardships for residents, including relocation and intermittent water disconnections.

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