Legislation by Baton Rouge State Representative Scott McKnight that would further limit liability for parade krewes in the event of an incident involving their floats is headed for a Senate committee after unanimously clearing the House.
The bill would limit liability for injuries or damages related to the operation of floats at parades to incidents only where the act is proven deliberate or wanton, or gross negligence is proven. In 2019 two parade-goers died in float-related incidents, but there were no fatalities involving floats this year.
Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy told WWL this legislation isn’t the first of its kind.
“There was something called a coconut law from Zulu years ago was being sued by people claiming they were hurt and for one year they weren’t allowed to even have coconuts and the Legislature said this is silly,” said Hardy, recounting the law passed in 1988.
Hardy said insurance is a major expense for krewes and the ability to further shield insurers from parade-related lawsuits could help keep costs manageable.
“These are big heavy objects floating down… no pun intended, down the street, you don’t tell people it is ok to play in traffic why would you run in front of a float, you know?” said Hardy.