By Matt Houston
A Senate judiciary committee, in essence, killed, 3-2, House Concurrent Resolution 15 that would have formally recognized the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana as an Indian tribe.
Read the story in The News Star
Author: manshipxgr
Bill to expand domestic violence laws heads to Gov. Edwards
By Katie Gagliano
Louisiana legislators took steps to broaden and strengthen the state’s domestic violence and protection laws Sunday okaying two Senate amended measures, House Bills 223 and 509. The bills will now move to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk for his expected signature.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times
Plan seeks more transparent prescription drug prices
Doctors would have access to more transparent pricing information when prescribing drugs to patients under a bill passed by the Legislature.
The Senate voted unanimously Friday to give final legislative approval to House Bill 436 by Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge. It now heads to Gov. John Bel Edwards, who will decide whether to sign it into law.
Read the story in houmatoday.com/The Courier
Major tax reform appears dead on arrival
By Katie Gagliano
One of the last major tax reform packages of the session, one that overhauls the state’s tax code, likely is dead in the House after a core piece of Baton Rouge Republican Barry Ivey’s legislation was shot down Tuesday evening.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser
Domestic abuse protection may cover dating partners
By Matt Houston
The Senate passed a pair of measures that provide dating partners, including those same sex relationships, the same protection in domestic abuse cases as spouses are afforded.
Read the story in The Town Talk
Traffic stop behavior bill up for final debate
By Tryfon Boukouvidis
The House Committee on Transportation and Highways Tuesday favorably sent to the full House for final debate a bill that would add to driver education training the appropriate behavior when the driver is stopped by a law enforcement officer.
Read the story in USA Today
Legislature reins in movie tax credit
By Caitie Burkes
The Louisiana Senate approved a bill, 33-3, last week that would end the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit program after eight years unless the Legislature votes to renew it and reined in the generous tax break for movie companies using the state as shoot locations.
Read the story in The Ouachita Citizen
Close, but no Israel in legislature
By Katie Gagliano
Rep. Valarie Hodges’ efforts to prevent the Louisiana Deferred Compensation Plan from investing in companies boycotting Israel were squelched in the House following more than an hour of heated debate when an amendment by Slidell Republican Kevin Pearson stripped mention of Israel and boycotting from the bill, all but gutting it.
Read the story in The Monroe News Star
Suicide prevention training may be mandatory for schools
By Caitie Burkes
The Louisiana Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would require all charter and nonpublic schoolteachers, counselors, principals and other administrators to undergo two hours of in-service training in suicide prevention.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times
Bill makes pregnancy prevention part of freshman orientation
By Katie Gagliano
A bill requiring public colleges and universities to offer pregnancy prevention information at freshman orientation easily passed through the Senate chamber.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 