LA HR341

Louisiana Department of Insurance is requested to conduct a comprehensive study on incentives and standard benchmarks for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, with a report due to the House Committee on Insurance by December 31, 2025.

The study should address establishing benchmark insurance discounts for Fortified designations (Roof, Silver, Gold), similar to Alabama's discounts of 25-55% off wind premiums, and revising Louisiana's outdated Wind Mitigation Survey to align with Fortified standards.

Louisiana has the least affordable homeowner's insurance among eight southeastern coastal states, with median households spending 2.1% of income on homeowners and flood insurance in 2023 compared to 1.6% in other hurricane-exposed states.

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program received $45 million in funding during fiscal years 2024-2025 to provide grants of up to $10,000 per home for Fortified Roof upgrades, with certificates issued growing from 313 by January 2023 to rapid expansion after funding was appropriated.

The study should also make recommendations for updating coastal building codes, implementing financial and educational incentives, increasing program awareness through multiple outreach channels, and evaluating Fortified structure effectiveness through data calls if a major storm occurs.