A bill up for debate in the legislative session that begins today would require a person to be 21 to enter a bar instead of 18. Michelle Southern reports…:
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Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today for the 2023 legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more.
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A bill set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
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Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar - Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Mizell says her proposal to be heard by lawmakers in the legislative session could help prevent tragedies by making it difficult for young people to obtain alcohol.
The “Card’em” bill – SB 194 – requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to submit certain forms of identification verifying proof of age of 21 or older. Mizell says it is time for Louisiana to prohibit anyone under 21 from entering a bar.
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender. Mizell expects pushback from lobbyists who represent bars and nightclubs…
Businesses could face penalties ranging from $50 to $15,000 and increase the cleansing period to 10 years from the first offense.
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The 2023 regular session, which is a fiscal one, begins today and among the issues, lawmakers will address is whether to raise the state’s spending cap or not. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says to do so, it will require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
Alford says the state can only spend so much money each year and is quickly approaching the spending cap for the current fiscal year and the next.
And when it comes to money Alford says lawmakers will also debate who should get pay raises and how much of one.
Alford says voting on the variety of pay increases this session will be colored because it’s an election year for the majority of the legislators.
Alford says the House Criminal Justice committee will hear several emotional issues, for example, abortion, the death penalty, and tough-on-crime legislation. And among the lawmakers running for re-election Alford says they’ve filed what he likes to call “bumper sticker issue” bills.
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And because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues this session.
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A poll of Louisiana voters commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows attitudes changing about putting offenders in prison. Baton Rouge pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics, says large percentages of respondents favor alternatives to jail, if the offense wasn’t a violent one…:
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The poll found 77-percent surveyed feel persons charged with misdemeanors or minor offenses – and no danger to others – should remain out of jail, pending trial. Couvillon says a majority of respondents also feel those with mental health or substance issues deserve to get treatment instead of time in a cell. He says this doesn’t signify they are “soft on crime.” Couvillon says they still feel rising crime is their biggest concern…:
Couvillon says 75-percent of those surveyed say major improvement is needed in the criminal justice system, and it may be for judges to re-examine sentencing guidelines and procedures…:
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Read the whole survey report at “WinWithJMC.com”
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Pineville Representative Mike Johnson has a bill for the legislative session that makes it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is doing their job. Johnson’s HB 85 would create the crime of approaching a law enforcement officer who’s legally engaged in his or her duties. Johnson says he’s heard from LEOs about citizens walking upon them unexpectedly, while they’re working a crime scene or traffic accident…:
Johnson says police officers never know if that person approaching merely needs help, has a question, or means them harm, and that causes tension and potential misunderstandings. His bill would require you maintain a distance of 25 feet from any working LEO, or face charges and penalties…:
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Under Johnson’s proposed legislation, the officer would have to verbally ward off the approaching citizen, to help them avoid violating the new law…:
There have been numerous shootings of police officers across the nation. Johnson says this will help set officers a little more at ease while they do their jobs. The legislature convenes today.
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