HB148: Price Fixing, Power Grabs, and Political Smoke

(Originally published in Citizens for a New Louisiana by Jamie Pope. CLICK HERE to go to the original post.)

What began as a straightforward proposal to help consumers understand their rising insurance costs has morphed into one of the most consequential—and controversial—bills of the 2025 legislative session.

House Bill 148, authored by Rep. Jeff Wiley (R-Maurepas), aimed to require insurance companies to show policyholders how their renewal premiums compared to the previous year. It was a common-sense transparency measure that passed committee with little fanfare.

But that changed on April 30.

Amended into a Power-Grab

During floor debate on April 30, 2025, Rep. Brian Glorioso (R-Slidell) introduced Amendment #2071. With the support of Governor Jeff Landry, this amendment substantially changed the bill by incorporating provisions of Democrats Robby Carter and Chad Brown‘s highly unpopular HB576. It handed the Insurance Commissioner sweeping authority to unilaterally set rates, effectively enabling state-sanctioned price fixing. It also smashed the long-standing legal distinction between competitive and non-competitive insurance markets.

Essentially, the state could now set prices, regardless of market dynamics.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who would be handed these new powers, has publicly opposed both the Carter bill and the Glorioso amendment, warning they would drive insurers out of the state.

Legislative Response

Some conservative lawmakers criticized the significant expansion of regulatory power. Rep. Raymond Crews (R-Bossier City) questioned whether the amendment violated House rules by introducing unrelated policy. After consulting the parliamentarian, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier (R-Eunice) ruled the amendment germane, citing its relation to insurance premiums.

Despite concerns about regulatory overreach, the amended bill passed the House with a 68-34 vote and moved to the Senate.

Senate Proceedings

By the time HB148 reached the Senate floor on May 21, lawmakers attempted to soften its rough edges. Senator Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge), Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, introduced an amendment to refine the bill’s language. But the core change—transferring regulatory power to the Commissioner—remained intact.

After debate, the Senate adopted Talbot’s amendment and passed the bill by a vote of 26-9. The legislation now returns to the House for concurrence on the Senate changes.

What’s Really at Stake

HB148 no longer resembles the bill that first passed committee. What began as a transparency measure has become a sweeping regulatory overhaul. Proponents say it gives the state more tools to fight back against skyrocketing premiums. Critics warn it replaces market competition with centralized control, potentially driving insurers out of the state and worsening the very crisis lawmakers hope to solve.

One thing’s certain: whatever HB148 started as, it’s not the same bill anymore.

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