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HB 336

CIVIL/VENUE: Provides relative to venue for certain actions involving uninsured and underinsured motorist policies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dennis Bamburg and 28 co-sponsors

Louisiana HB 336 changes venue rules for uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance disputes, potentially restricting where injured drivers can file claims against their own insurers.

Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 336

Legislative bill overview

HB 336 modifies Louisiana's civil procedure rules governing where lawsuits involving uninsured and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance coverage can be filed. The bill changes venue requirements for these specific insurance disputes, potentially affecting where plaintiffs must bring claims against their own insurance carriers following motor vehicle accidents.

Why is this important

Venue rules determine which courts have jurisdiction over cases, directly impacting litigation costs, convenience, and accessibility for accident victims seeking compensation. Changes to UIM venue can shift whether injured motorists can sue in their home county or must travel to file claims, affecting both plaintiffs' practical ability to pursue claims and insurance companies' litigation expenses.

Potential points of contention

  • Plaintiff burden vs. defendant convenience: Restricting venue options may force injured motorists to litigate far from home, increasing their legal costs and creating access-to-justice concerns, while insurers may prefer consolidated venues
  • Insurer predictability: The insurance industry may seek standardized venue rules to reduce unpredictability and forum-shopping, but plaintiffs' advocates argue this disadvantages injured parties with limited resources
  • Interaction with existing law: Unclear how this venue change coordinates with Louisiana's existing UIM statutes and whether it creates conflicts with other civil procedure provisions or policy holders' contract rights

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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