Legislative regular session through Apr. 22, 2017

Bill filing came to an end this week, with these additions to the list of the good and bad (note: bills that did not have an obvious positive or negative affect on tax burdens are not included, but as these become known may be added to the list):

THE GOOD: HB 652 by Rep. Chris Broadwater would simplify sales taxation with lower rates; SB 243 by Sen. Barrow Peacock would rein the alternative fuel conversion tax credit.

THE BAD: HB 628 by Rep. Sam Jones would institute a gross receipts tax; HB 630 by Rep. Ted James would get rid of deductibility of federal tax burden on state income taxes; HB 632 by Rep. Steve Carter would increase gasoline taxes (similar bill: HB 659); HB 637 by Rep. Lance Harris would permit greater subsidization of insurance for high-risk properties; HB 638 by Jones would continue the extra cent on sales tax another five years; HB 647 by Rep. Kenny Havard would institute an oil processing tax; HB 650 by Broadwater would increase taxes on those individuals who pay the most; HB 654 by Rep. Gene Reynolds would increase insurance rates; HB 655 by Reynolds would broaden sales tax reduction without corresponding rate reduction; HB 656 by Rep. Rob Shadoin would increase property taxes to fund the Taylor Opportunity Program for Scholars; HB 667 by Rep. Cedric Glover creates an unneeded taxing authority over Shreveport; HB 672 by Rep. Joe Stagni would impose a fee discriminatorily on rideshare companies; SB 249 by Sen. Norby Chabert would fragment allocations going to coastal restoration and protection.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 484 was withdrawn; SB 25 passed Senate committee; SB 110 was deferred involuntarily.

SCORECARD:
Total number of bills, House: 673; total number of bills, Senate: 253.

Total number of good bills, House: 45; total number of good bills, Senate: 18.

Total number of bad bills, House: 74; total number of bad bills, Senate: 21.

Total House good bills heard in House committee: 5; total Senate good bills heard in Senate committee: 1.

Total House bad bills heard in House committee: 8; total Senate bad bills heard in Senate committee: 3.

Total House good bills passed by House committee: 0; total Senate good bills passed by Senate committee: 0.

Total House bad bills passed by House committee: 0; total Senate bad bills passed by Senate committee: 1.

Total House good bills approved by House: 0; total Senate good bills approved by Senate: 0.

Total House bad bills approved by House: 0; total Senate bad bills approved by Senate: 0.

Total House good bills heard in Senate committee: 0; total Senate good bills heard in House committee: 0.

Total House bad bills heard in Senate committee: 0; total Senate bad bills heard in House committee: 0.

Total House good bills approved by Senate committee: 0; total Senate good bills approved by House committee: 0.

Total House bad bills approved by Senate committee: 0; total Senate bad bills approved by House committee: 0.

Total House good bills approved by Senate: 0; total Senate good bills approved by House: 0.

Total House bad bills approved by Senate: 0; total Senate bad bills approved by House: 0.

Total House good bills going to governor: 0; total Senate good bills going to governor: 0.

Total House bad bills going to governor: 0; total Senate bad bills going to governor: 0.

Total House good bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0; total Senate good bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0.

Total House bad bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0; total Senate bad bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0.