5-24-2024: HB 518

May 24, 2024 

Senator Beth Mizell 
Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs 
900 North Third Street 
Baton Rouge, LA 70802 

Subject: HB 518 

Dear Senator Mizell: 

Louisiana Landmarks Society requests your support and leadership with HB 518, by Representative Knox. This common-sense bill would empower local municipalities to adopt reasonable regulations for short-term rental booking agents operating within their jurisdictions. 

While short-term rentals can provide flexible accommodation options and income sources, the rapid growth of this industry has raised significant concerns for many communities across Louisiana. In New Orleans, it has taken years of hard work and careful consideration to create an equitable balance between housing needs, residential quality of life, neighborhood preservation, safety, and commerce. HB 518 serves to protect these advances by allowing local governments to oversee this commercial activity happening in their communities. 

Requiring booking agents to have rental owners display valid permit numbers and removing non-compliant listings provides a reasonable path for cities to enforce their own local short-term rental laws. The $1,500 per violation penalty is a measured way to ensure booking agents comply with legitimate local regulations in each community where they operate and profit. And designating the collected fines to fund affordable housing and homeless services is a fair and appropriate way to have this industry help mitigate its negative impacts. 

Louisiana Landmarks Society urges you to support this reasonable proposal that respects both the rights of legitimate short-term rental operators and the authority of local governments to govern within their jurisdictions. 

HB 518 now awaits hearing and a vote in the Senate Commerce, Consumer Affairs and International Affairs committee. Louisiana Landmarks Society asks for your assistance in moving this bill through passage before the 2024 session ends. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

 Sincerely, 

Sandra Stokes 
Chair of Advocacy