By Matt Houston
Watch the video on The Daily Advertiser and The Advocate websites.
Author: manshipxgr
Mom who lost son testifies before House committee to support felony penalties for hazing
By Joby Richard and Drew White
The “Max Gruver Act,” named for the 18-year-old LSU fraternity pledge who died last September, cleared a first hurdle Wednesday toward making hazing a felony after legislators heard emotional testimony from the victim’s parents.
Read the story in The Natchitoches Times.
State may require unanimous verdicts in all felony cases
By Paul Braun
A Senate committee advanced a bill proposing a constitutional amendment that would require juries to reach unanimous verdicts in all felony cases.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.
La. senator proposes way to allow 19- and 20-year-olds to drink alcohol
By Ryan Noonan and Kaylee Poche
For decades, sneaking into bars with fake IDs has been a right of passage for college students in Louisiana. But if Sen. Eric LaFleur (D-Ville Platte) has his way, they may no longer need to rely on deceptive methods to get alcohol.
HB 429, proposed by LaFleur, would make it legal for 19- and 20-year-olds to buy and consume alcohol if they obtain a certificate.
Read the story in KPLC/kplctv.com.
Bill would allow families of hazing victims to sue for damages
By Devon Sanders
A Senate committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow punitive damages for negligence in lawsuits over hazing deaths, potentially holding universities liable for big damage awards.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.
Louisiana committee loosens regulations for riverboat casinos
By Paul Braun
A Senate committee approved bills that would loosen regulation of the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, allowing them to expand 1,200 feet onto the shore and add more gaming tables and slot machines.
Read the story in KALB/kalb.com.
La. Senate delays financial transparency website: ‘It costs too much’
By Drew White
It may be the ultimate irony. A financial transparency website, designed to bring accountability to government spending has been delayed.
Because it costs too much.
Read the story in Bossier Now.
AgCenter plans to start cloning cannabis for medical use soon
By Drew White and Ashley Wolf
The state Agriculture Commissioner said on Monday that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.
Donelon sees high risk for Louisiana in Trump health insurance proposal
By Drew White
State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon cautioned that a proposal by President Donald Trump to allow the purchase of health insurance policies across state lines could be “catastrophic” for some Louisiana residents unless the state has the authority to regulate the carriers.
Republican U.S. senators filed a bill Monday (March 19) that would require the federal Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations allowing insurers to sell plans across state lines.
Read the story in The Times-Picayune/nola.com.
Committee sets about freeing up millions in dedicated funds for Louisiana budget flexibility
By Joby Richard
A joint legislative subcommittee is trying to free up $800 million of the several billion dollars in state spending that is set by law and cannot be adjusted in the annual budget process.
Read the story in The Biz.
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 