LA HB618

Increases maximum fees for Louisiana Economic Development (LED) administrative services: advance notification from $250 to $350, application filing minimum from $500 to $650 and maximum from $15,000 to $20,000, contract renewal from $250 to $650, and verification report hourly rates from $250 to $350.

Raises the maximum loan guaranty fee from 4% to 5.5% of the guaranteed loan amount.

Creates a new fee of up to $350 for miscellaneous unique administrative documents, including special requests and reissued certification or rebate letters.

Authorizes the LED secretary to reduce or waive fees for small businesses experiencing financial hardship when fees are disproportionate to benefits and the waiver serves the state's best interest.

Establishes automatic biennial inflationary adjustments to fee minimums and maximums beginning January 1, 2029, based on the Consumer Price Index, with adjusted amounts to be published on the department's website. Effective January 1, 2027.