The Louisiana Legislature convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss House Bill 318, introduced by Representative Gadbury, which addresses manufactured and modular housing standards in flood-prone areas. The bill aims to align local regulations with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards, ensuring that mobile homes are built to appropriate elevations to mitigate flood risks.

During the meeting, Steve Duke, representing the Manufactured Housing Association, provided an overview of the bill's intent. He explained that the legislation seeks to create a level playing field for mobile home installations by establishing clear guidelines for the lowest horizontal member of a mobile home, which must be above the base flood elevation (BFE). Duke highlighted the existing confusion among parishes regarding freeboard requirements—additional height above the BFE that varies by flood zone. He noted that some mobile homes are currently being set at heights significantly above the necessary standards, leading to inconsistencies and increased costs for homeowners.

A key point of contention arose regarding the language in paragraph b of the bill, which states that local governments cannot adopt regulations more restrictive than FEMA's minimum standards. Duke expressed concern that this could conflict with existing local ordinances that incorporate freeboard requirements, potentially leading to further complications for builders and homeowners. He proposed deferring the bill to allow for clarification of this language to ensure it does not create conflicting regulations.

Representative Landry engaged in the discussion, seeking to understand the implications of the proposed standards and the challenges faced by local governments and builders. Duke reiterated the need for a consistent elevation standard to prevent conflicting instructions from different inspectors, which can result in costly adjustments for homeowners.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of refining the bill's language to address these concerns effectively. The next steps involve further discussions to ensure that the legislation meets the needs of both the housing industry and local governments while maintaining compliance with FEMA standards.