Legislative briefs for June 21, 2008
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Session expected to take full time slot
Every year there are rumors that Louisiana’s lawmakers may wrap up their work a day or two early. But that rarely happens, and this year is no different.
The state House of Representatives put out a statement Friday seeking to stamp out rumors about an early end to the regular legislative session.
The session must end by Monday, and the House’s spokeswoman says lawmakers will need all the remaining time to finish their work. Lawmakers plan to work through the weekend.
Police, firefighter pay bill clears House
Days after the proposal was sidelined by its sponsor, the House revived the bill that would increase state pay to local police officers and firefighters and unanimously approved it Friday.
That was the final passage needed to send it to the governor’s desk.
Legislators decided Friday that law enforcement officers and firefighters should receive a $75 supplemental pay raise beginning July 1, 2009.
The proposal would increase from $425 to $500 per month the pay that the state provides to local police officers, local firefighters and sheriff’s deputies — on top of the pay they get from their local government agencies. The raises would cost the state another $17 million a year.
The House voted 103-0 to approve Senate Bill 26.
House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, had to hastily call a committee meeting to push the bill through the Legislature.
He said the bill’s author, state Sen. John Alario, D-Westwego, mistakenly thought he did not have the votes to get the bill out of the House Committee on Appropriations earlier.
Lawmakers approve firearms measure
Legislation that would allow people to legally take firearms in their vehicles to the workplace and onto other private property won final legislative approval Friday and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Proponents called it an extension of Second Amendment rights.
Opponents are argued it make for dangerous workplace situations.
The House voted 66-35 for Senate Bill 51 sponsored by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth.
Before approving the measure, the House agreed to protect the private property owner, private employer or business from lawsuits alleging gross negligence as a result of problems involving the transportation, storage, possession or use of the firearm.
“I think it’s fair to extend protection to these companies from civil liabilities,” said Rep. Bodi White, R-Central.
Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, tried to strip out the protection from “gross negligence,” arguing that there are plenty of instances in state law that grant immunity from civil lawsuits, “but not blanket immunity.”
The House rejected that move.
The House added a provision that would allow business to require employees or others that enter their property to either park their locked vehicles on a special lot or agree to put the guns in a lock box.
The Senate concurred in both House amendments late Friday.
Term limits proposal wins House support
The House endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment Friday that would impose term limits on state boards and commissions, including the Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The House voted 93-6 for the term-limits proposal that also affects higher education boards, the state Civil Service, Forestry and State Police commissions.
The proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Bill 232, would have to be approved by voters if it gains final legislative passage.
The House also signed off on Senate Bill 233, which would extend term limits to members of state boards and commissions.
Under both measures, elected or appointed officials could not serve more than two-and-a-half terms.
The Senate agreed to the House changes in SB233, which now goes to the governor.
Health-care costs Web site advances
The full Legislature has agreed to plans by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration to set up a Web site where Louisiana consumers can compare the costs and performance of hospitals and health-care facilities.
Senate Bill 287 by state Sen. Willie Mount, D-Lake Charles, would create a state-run Web site to post quality data on health-care providers. People would be able to search data on complications, mortality rates, bed-sore rates and post-operation infections to know which hospital or clinic they want to visit, for example, supporters said.
SB287 received final approval Friday with a unanimous vote of the Senate. It heads next to Jindal. The Web site is estimated to cost $500,000 a year.
Every year there are rumors that Louisiana’s lawmakers may wrap up their work a day or two early. But that rarely happens, and this year is no different.
The state House of Representatives put out a statement Friday seeking to stamp out rumors about an early end to the regular legislative session.
The session must end by Monday, and the House’s spokeswoman says lawmakers will need all the remaining time to finish their work. Lawmakers plan to work through the weekend.
Police, firefighter pay bill clears House
Days after the proposal was sidelined by its sponsor, the House revived the bill that would increase state pay to local police officers and firefighters and unanimously approved it Friday.
That was the final passage needed to send it to the governor’s desk.
Legislators decided Friday that law enforcement officers and firefighters should receive a $75 supplemental pay raise beginning July 1, 2009.
The proposal would increase from $425 to $500 per month the pay that the state provides to local police officers, local firefighters and sheriff’s deputies — on top of the pay they get from their local government agencies. The raises would cost the state another $17 million a year.
The House voted 103-0 to approve Senate Bill 26.
House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, had to hastily call a committee meeting to push the bill through the Legislature.
He said the bill’s author, state Sen. John Alario, D-Westwego, mistakenly thought he did not have the votes to get the bill out of the House Committee on Appropriations earlier.
Lawmakers approve firearms measure
Legislation that would allow people to legally take firearms in their vehicles to the workplace and onto other private property won final legislative approval Friday and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Proponents called it an extension of Second Amendment rights.
Opponents are argued it make for dangerous workplace situations.
The House voted 66-35 for Senate Bill 51 sponsored by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth.
Before approving the measure, the House agreed to protect the private property owner, private employer or business from lawsuits alleging gross negligence as a result of problems involving the transportation, storage, possession or use of the firearm.
“I think it’s fair to extend protection to these companies from civil liabilities,” said Rep. Bodi White, R-Central.
Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, tried to strip out the protection from “gross negligence,” arguing that there are plenty of instances in state law that grant immunity from civil lawsuits, “but not blanket immunity.”
The House rejected that move.
The House added a provision that would allow business to require employees or others that enter their property to either park their locked vehicles on a special lot or agree to put the guns in a lock box.
The Senate concurred in both House amendments late Friday.
Term limits proposal wins House support
The House endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment Friday that would impose term limits on state boards and commissions, including the Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The House voted 93-6 for the term-limits proposal that also affects higher education boards, the state Civil Service, Forestry and State Police commissions.
The proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Bill 232, would have to be approved by voters if it gains final legislative passage.
The House also signed off on Senate Bill 233, which would extend term limits to members of state boards and commissions.
Under both measures, elected or appointed officials could not serve more than two-and-a-half terms.
The Senate agreed to the House changes in SB233, which now goes to the governor.
Health-care costs Web site advances
The full Legislature has agreed to plans by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration to set up a Web site where Louisiana consumers can compare the costs and performance of hospitals and health-care facilities.
Senate Bill 287 by state Sen. Willie Mount, D-Lake Charles, would create a state-run Web site to post quality data on health-care providers. People would be able to search data on complications, mortality rates, bed-sore rates and post-operation infections to know which hospital or clinic they want to visit, for example, supporters said.
SB287 received final approval Friday with a unanimous vote of the Senate. It heads next to Jindal. The Web site is estimated to cost $500,000 a year.
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