7:30 LRN Newscast

A measure that would prevent a driver from recovering damages when they are at 51-percent or more at fault in an accident has received approval from the House Civil Law Committee. It passed on an 11-4 vote, but Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown voted against it, because if a plaintiff who is mostly at fault for an accident can’t recover damages than a defendant who is mostly at fault should have to pay 100-percent of the damages.

Cut 14 (13) “…pay 51-percent.”

More discussion on this bill will take place on the House floor.

Also heading to the House floor is a bill that gives the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates. Governor Landry supports the legislation…

Cut 30 (10) “…are lowered”

But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state’s legal system is why rates are so high.

 

Legislation that would fine a driver 150-dollars for camping in the left lane, just driving the speed limit and not using the lane as a passing lane is headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says currently a motorist can get a ticket if they are driving 10 miles per hour below the speed limit in the left lane…

Cut 5 (11) “…on the highway”

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved Luneau’s bill.

Northwestern State is seeking approval from the University of Louisiana System and the Board of Regents to have a law school on their campus in Natchitoches…

Cut 11 (14) “…of that approved”

Executive Vice President and President Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says if the approval process goes as they plan, the law school will accept its first class for the fall of 2026.