(The Center Square) – The Louisiana House of Representatives rejected a bill that would have established a tax credit for individuals who pay homeowners’ insurance premiums, as long as their household income is no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.
The bill was defeated by a 53-48 vote.
Authored by Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, Senate Bill 235 was narrowly shut down prior to being defended by two New Orleans Democratic representatives, Mandie Landry and Matthew Willard. The bill was presented by Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, on behalf of Duplessis.
“This is a small item and I find it preposterous that there is so much pushback against something so small,” Landry said. “We did very few bills this year that addressed people staying in their homes and not much has happened.”
Authors of the bill attempted to soften the fiscal note by limiting the amount of credits that could be offered from $10 million to $1 million, but many Republicans remained concerned.
Riser was interrogated by his fellow Republicans on establishing more tax credits after the Legislature considered many of them in a special session in November.
“The credit isn’t open to abuse any more than any other credit,” Riser said.
The measure passed on a 21-17 vote in the Senate on May 13.
Insurance commissioner Tim Temple said that the Department of Insurance had no position on the bill.
