HCR 117

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 117
BY REPRESENTATIVE DANA HENRY
  A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to establish a Homeowner Protection
        and Efficiency (HOPE) Committee or advisory group to study methods to improve
        the efficiency, transparency, and fairness of the residential property insurance claims
        process between homeowners and Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance
        Corporation (Citizens) following catastrophic losses and to report its findings.
        WHEREAS, property insurance premiums in Louisiana have increased significantly
in recent years, placing a substantial financial burden on homeowners across the state; and
        WHEREAS, the availability of affordable residential property insurance coverage
in the private market has declined, resulting in increased reliance on Citizens, the state's
insurer of last resort; and
        WHEREAS, the structure, financial condition, and operational practices of Citizens
directly impact insurance costs, market stability, and the availability of coverage for
Louisiana residents; and
        WHEREAS, Louisiana has suffered extensive catastrophic storm losses in recent
years, including Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida, resulting in billions of dollars in
insured losses and an extraordinary volume of residential property insurance claims; and
        WHEREAS, homeowners affected by catastrophic storms frequently experience
delays in claim resolution, disputes regarding the scope and valuation of losses, inconsistent
claims handling practices, and prolonged litigation; and
        WHEREAS, timely and fair adjustment of insurance claims is critical to the
economic recovery of Louisiana families and communities following catastrophic events;
and
        WHEREAS, prolonged disputes over insurance claims may increase litigation costs
for homeowners and insurers, delay rebuilding efforts, and contribute to rising insurance
premiums; and
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HCR NO. 117  ENROLLED
        WHEREAS, reforms that encourage prompt investigation, transparency in claims
handling, fair valuation of losses, early dispute resolution, and efficient judicial
administration may benefit both homeowners and Citizens; and
        WHEREAS, several state and federal courts have implemented case management
procedures following catastrophic events in an effort to improve efficiency and reduce
unnecessary litigation delays; and
        WHEREAS, any proposed reforms should balance the need for efficient claims
resolution with the constitutional rights of litigants, including meaningful judicial review and
access to the courts; and
        WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes the importance of obtaining input from
homeowners, insurers, regulators, legal practitioners, public adjusters, consumer advocates,
and other stakeholders regarding potential reforms to the residential property insurance
claims process involving Citizens.
        THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to establish a Homeowner Protection and
Efficiency (HOPE) Committee or advisory group to study methods to improve the
efficiency, transparency, and fairness of the residential property insurance claims process
involving Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation following catastrophic losses.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee or advisory group study methods
to reduce unnecessary delay and litigation costs associated with disputed residential property
insurance claims.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee or advisory group review case
management procedures utilized in state and federal courts following catastrophic events.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee or advisory group study evaluate
methods to encourage prompt investigation, fair valuation of losses, early dispute resolution,
and timely payment of valid claims.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee or advisory group study and
evaluate topics that include but is not limited to all of the following:
        (1) Any statutory, administrative, judicial, or procedural reforms that may improve
the residential property insurance claims process while preserving the rights of policyholders
and litigants.
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HCR NO. 117  ENROLLED
       (2) Case management procedures utilized in Louisiana state courts and federal courts
following catastrophic events.
       (3) Claims handling practices involving residential property insurance claims
following catastrophic losses.
       (4) Early dispute resolution procedures and alternatives to prolonged litigation.
       (5) Methods to encourage prompt investigation and timely payment of valid claims.
       (6) Methods to improve transparency and consistency in the adjustment and
valuation of losses.
       (7) Methods to reduce unnecessary litigation costs and delays associated with
disputed claims.
       (8)   The impact of claims-related litigation and adjustment practices on the
sustainability of Citizens and homeowner insurance premiums.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Law Institute is requested
to invite participation from relevant stakeholder groups, including but not limited to
representatives of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the Department of
Insurance, homeowners, consumer advocates, property and casualty insurers, insurance
producers, public adjusters, members of the plaintiff and defense bars, and persons with
expertise in construction, property damage assessment, underwriting, or judicial
administration.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee or advisory group may solicit
public input and conduct meetings, hearings, or stakeholder discussions as necessary to
fulfill the purposes of this Resolution.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee or advisory group submit a
written report to the House and Senate committees on insurance, the speaker of the House
of Representatives, and the president of the Senate no later than February 1, 2027.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include findings, recommendations,
and any proposed legislation or procedural reforms deemed appropriate by the committee
or advisory group.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any written recommendations or proposals shall
also be submitted to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S.
24:771 and 772.
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HCR NO. 117  ENROLLED
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
director of the Louisiana State Law Institute and the commissioner of insurance.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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