TAX EXEMPTIONS/HOMESTEAD: Provides relative to the homestead exemption (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

HLS 26RS-1140 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 543
BY REPRESENTATIVE NEWELL
TAX EXEMPTIONS/HOMESTEAD: Provides relative to the homestead exemption
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 47:1703(A)(1) and 1710(C), relative to ad valorem taxes; to
3 provide for ad valorem property tax exemptions; to provide with respect to the
4 homestead exemption; to provide with respect to credits against ad valorem taxes for
5 certain residential lessees; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 47:1703(A)(1) and and 1710(C) are hereby amended and reenacted
9 to read as follows:
10 §1703. Exemptions
11 A. Generally. (1) Effective January 1, 1978, and thereafter, there shall be
12 exempt from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes all property which is
13 declared to be exempt from taxation by Sections 20 and 21 of Article VII of the
14 Constitution and pursuant to the authority contained in Section 17 of Article VI of
15 the Constitution, and no other. However, the exemption for a bona fide homestead,
16 as defined in Subparagraph (1) of Paragraph A of Section 20 of Article VII of the
17 Constitution, for the years 1978 through 1981 only, and in the parish of Orleans
18 through 1982 only, shall be five thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Effective
19 on the first day in January in each parish, in the year in which the appraisal and
20 valuation provisions of Paragraph (F) of Section 18 of Article VII of the Constitution
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1140 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 543
1 of Louisiana are implemented and thereafter, the exemption, for a bona fide
2 homestead, exemption as defined in Section 20 of Article VII of the Constitution,
3 shall be seven thousand, five hundred dollars of the assessed valuation or any greater
4 amount authorized by a parish in accordance with the provisions of Subparagraph (1)
5 of Paragraph A of Section 20 of Article VII of the Constitution.
6 * * *
7 §1710. Homestead exemption; residential lessees; tax credits
8 * * *
9 C. A residential lessee shall be entitled to a credit against any ad valorem tax
10 imposed relative to the residence property, in an amount equal to the amount of tax
11 applicable on property with an assessed valuation of seven thousand five hundred
12 dollars up to the amount of the homestead exemption or the actual amount of tax,
13 whichever is less, provided the residential lessee is not otherwise entitled to the
14 homestead exemption.
15 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027, but only if the
16 proposed amendment of Article VII of the Constitution of Louisiana contained in the Act
17 which originated as House Bill No. ____ of this 2026 Regular Session of the Legislature is
18 adopted at a statewide election and becomes effective.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 543 Original 2026 Regular Session Newell
Abstract: Provides relative to the homestead exemption amount referred to in present law
pertaining to property tax exemptions and credits.
Present constitution and present law establish a property tax exemption known as the
homestead exemption through which the first $7,500 of assessed value of a bona fide
homestead ($75,000 of its fair market value) is exempted from taxation.
Proposed law changes present law to include within references to the homestead exemption
amount, any greater amount authorized by a parish in accordance with applicable
constitutional provisions.
Present law establishes a property tax credit for residential lessees who do not otherwise
qualify for the homestead exemption and refers to the homestead exemption as a specific
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HLS 26RS-1140 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 543
numerical amount. Proposed law changes present law to refer instead to the homestead
exemption amount applicable in the parish.
Effective January 1, 2027, if the proposed amendment of Article VII of the Constitution of
La. contained in the Act which originated as House Bill No. ___ of this 2026 R.S. is adopted
at a statewide election and becomes effective.
(Amends R.S. 47:1703(A)(1) and 1710(C))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.