House Bill No. by Representative McMakin amends and reenacts several provisions of Louisiana's Revised Statutes regarding fees and costs assessed by the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) department. Key changes include an increase in various fees, such as the advance notification fee from $250 to $350, and the application filing fee minimum from $500 to $650, with the maximum increasing from $15,000 to $20,000. Additionally, the bill introduces a new fee structure for miscellaneous administrative documents, capped at $350, and allows the secretary of the department to reduce or waive fees for small businesses facing financial hardship.

The bill also establishes new reporting requirements, mandating that any lease, sublease, or sale of property must be approved by the commissioner of administration, with annual reporting of such transactions to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. Furthermore, it clarifies the qualifications for certified public accountants involved in verification reports and adjusts the fee structure for these reports, increasing the hourly rate from $225 to $325. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
HB618 Original: 36:104(C), 36:1(B)(1)
HB618 Engrossed: 36:104(C), 36:1(B)(1)
HB618 Enrolled: 36:104(A)(17), 36:1(B)(1)