The House Civil Law Committee advanced a bill that would cap lawyer contingency fees to ten-percent of the first 15-thousand dollars in damages in a lawsuit. Lafayette Republican Troy Hebert says his motivation stems from when his daughter was involved in a minor crash that resulted in no injuries and almost no property damage, but a year later was hit with a lawsuit seeking 15-thousand dollars in damages. Hebert says it was nothing but a get-rich-quick scheme by the other driver’s attorney, and his bill would put a stop to that.
Greenwell Springs Republican Lauren Ventrella expressed some reservations but ultimately voted in favor.
Cut 15 (07) “…free-market economy.”
Any amounts above 15-thousand would not be regulated. The vote was ten-to-two, along party lines.
Governor Landry issued an executive order, establishing the French Quarter Terrorism Attack Memorial Commission. The commission would recommend and facilitate the creation of a permanent memorial to honor the victims of the terrorist attack early New Year’s Day, in which 14 innocent people celebrating the arrival of the new year were killed. In a statement, Landry said the senseless act shattered lives and has shaken the state, and the memorial would ensure that the victims will never be forgotten. The commission will deliver its recommendations to the governor within one year.
Former Louisiana House Speaker Bubba Henry has passed away at the age of 89. He led the House in the 1970s and was instrumental in the writing of Louisiana’s current constitution in 1973. Henry also served as a top adviser to former governor Dave Treen for four years. Following that job, he spent decades as a lobbyist at the Legislature for decades.