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SR 158

SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF J. WILLIAM W. HARSCH, ESQ.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Euer

directs a study by the Louisiana State Law Institute to review the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act and propose legislative revisions to improve clarity and fairness.

02/04/2025 Senate read and passed
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Bill Summary · SR 158

SR 158 — Summary

Title: LIABILITY: Urges and requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study and recommend legislation relative to the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act

Status: Enrolled; signed by President of the Senate and sent to Secretary of State (06/05/2025)
Introduced: February 24, 2025
Classification: Senate Resolution (study/urging)

Main purpose and intent

SR 158 is a non‑binding legislative resolution that directs (urges and requests) the Louisiana State Law Institute to undertake a study of the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act (LGCA) and to prepare recommended legislative changes. The resolution’s intent is to have an expert, neutral body review the existing statute governing suits and claims against state and local public entities and propose reforms to improve clarity, fairness, and efficiency.

Key provisions (what the resolution does)

  • Formally requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act.
  • Requests that the Institute identify problems, ambiguities, or outdated provisions in the LGCA.
  • Requests that the Institute develop and submit recommended statutory revisions or draft legislation to address identified issues.
  • Because this is a resolution (not a statute), it does not itself change substantive law; it authorizes and requests a study and recommendations.

(Note: The enrolled copy and bill summary provided do not include specific study scope details, required deliverable dates, or a mandated reporting deadline. If the resolution includes a deadline or a scope in its full text, those specifics would govern the Institute’s work.)

Who would be affected

  • State agencies and departments and local governmental entities (parishes, municipalities, school boards) — potential changes could affect liability exposure, notice and filing requirements, and defense/settlement procedures.
  • Claimants (individuals or entities asserting claims against government bodies) — recommendations could change procedural rights, caps, or timelines.
  • Municipal and state insurers and risk‑management entities.
  • Trial attorneys, public defenders, and courts that adjudicate governmental claims.
  • Louisiana Legislature — will receive recommendations and may draft implementing legislation.

Process and timeline / next steps

  • The Institute conducts a statutory study and prepares recommendations (timeline unspecified in the available materials).
  • The Institute typically reports to the Legislature and may provide draft bill language.
  • The Legislature may consider the Institute’s recommendations in a subsequent session and could introduce implementing bills to revise the LGCA.
  • Status: Enrolled (as of 06/05/2025); the resolution has been adopted and transmitted as required.

Potential impact

  • If the Institute’s recommendations are adopted by the Legislature, impacts could include clarified procedures for filing and handling claims, adjustments to liability standards or monetary limits, revised notice or statute‑of‑limitations provisions, and improved administrative processes — all of which affect governmental fiscal exposure and claimant remedies.
  • Because SR 158 itself does not change law, immediate legal effects are limited to initiating the study process.

Notes and limitations

  • The publicly provided document extract did not include the full text of SR 158 (such as an explicit scope of study or reporting deadline). For exact study requirements, deadlines, or designated points of contact, consult the enrolled resolution text on the Louisiana Legislature’s website or the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.

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

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