October 2023

TREASURY NOTES
Money in the Newspaper: Louisiana’s Unclaimed Property
In a world where we make
financial transactions at every
turn, it’s not uncommon
for money to slip through
the cracks. Forgotten bank
accounts, uncashed checks,
and overlooked insurance
benefits often find their way
into the Louisiana Department
of Treasury Unclaimed
Property Program, awaiting
their rightful owners to reclaim
them.
In an effort to reunite Louisianans
with their long-lost
funds, the State Treasurer’s
Office is preparing to publish
over 80,000 names of
individuals entitled to unclaimed
property money, in
local newspapers across the
state. Watch your local newspapers
for the lists in early
October.
These names are individuals
whose money was received
by our office during the past
year. Combined with money
from prior years, there is
now over one billion dollars
remaining to be claimed.
Unclaimed Property is
Cash
The Louisiana Treasurer’s
Office plays a crucial role in
safeguarding and redistributing
unclaimed property.
Unclaimed property is money
and not physical property.
This money encompasses
a wide range of assets,
from unpaid life insurance
benefits to dormant bank
accounts, uncashed payroll
checks, stock dividends, and
utility deposit refunds.
When the rightful owners
of these assets cannot
be located, the companies
holding them are obligated
to send them to Louisiana
Attorney General’s Opinions
Dual Officeholding
Opinion: 23-0077: The provisions of the
Dual Officeholding and Dual Employment
Law do not prohibit the Deputy Director of
the Lake Providence Port Commission from
also being employed as the part time Chief
of Governmental Affairs of the Northeast
Louisiana Railroad Development District.
Released: 8/30/2023
Treasury’s Unclaimed Property
Program for safekeeping.
The most common reason
the money becomes lost
is because the holder of the
money cannot locate the
rightful owner due to an old
address.
Whether it’s a forgotten
paycheck from several years
ago or a long-lost life insurance
policy from a decade
past, this is your money, and
you never lose your right to
claim it. The Louisiana Treasury
is dedicated to holding
it in trust until it finds its way
back to you.
Easier than Ever to Reclaim
your Property
It’s easier than ever to claim
your money thanks to advances
in technology. In
fact, you can claim your
money online from LaCash-
Claim.org or by calling Monday
through Friday from 10
A.M. until 3 P.M. to 888-925-
4127.
And, as of September, you
Waterway Regulation
Opinion: 23-0092: Parishes do not have the
authority to establish “no wake zones” within
their jurisdictions. They may, however, set
speed limits on waterways within their jurisdiction,
and parish presidents have the authority,
during a properly-declared disaster, to
establish temporary “no wake zones” in order
to protect public health and safety. Recalls La.
Atty. Gen. Op. 82-702. Released: 8/29/2023
Prohibited Donations
Opinion: 23-0065: Parish governments may
not use public funds to conduct drainage
operations on, or to acquire a right-of-way
over, private property for the sole benefit of
the owner of immovable private property, as
this would amount to a gratuitous donation
of public funds in violation of La Const. art. VII,
§ 14(A). Released: 8/25/2023
John Schroder
State Treasurer
can now claim your funds
straight from the LA Wallet
app from your smartphone.
No matter which way you
choose, it’s free and easy to
make a claim. And it’s your
money.
In a world where money
can often seem elusive, the
Louisiana State Treasury is
on a mission to ensure your
money winds up where it
belongs, with you! Don’t
let your unclaimed wealth
remain a lost treasurer any
longer, it’s time to claim
what’s rightfully yours.
Jeff Landry
Attorney General
LMR | OCTOBER 2023 Page 7