La. Senate Approves Bill Extending Hurricane Claims Deadline

The Louisiana Senate approved a bill that would extend the deadline for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to file claims with their insurance companies.

Sen. Julie Quinn’s bill would give policyholders through Sept. 1, 2007, to file claims from Katrina and through Oct. 1, 2007, for claims related to Rita.

The measure (Senate Bill 740) moves to the House.

In other legislative action, roofing nails would be defined as litter, and people who don’t discard them in a trash can would be subject to a littering fine, under a bill approved 70-16 by the Louisiana House.

Rep. Juan LaFonta, D-New Orleans, said nails have been strewn all over New Orleans’ streets since Hurricane Katrina, causing flat tires, traffic accidents and injuries.

He initially filed a bill that would force roofers to use magnets to pick up stray nails. When that bill stalled, LaFonta filed another measure (House Bill 1210) to classify the nails as litter. LaFonta said that could result in as much as a $500 fine if the nails are discarded in public places, on private property, in public waters and along public roadways.

The bill goes next to the Senate for debate.