Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that would allow Louisiana to comply with the security measures of the federal REAL ID act. The bill is similar to one that former Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed over privacy concerns in 2014. But Governor John Bel Edwards supports this legislation that would allow Louisiana residents to decide if they want REAL-ID compliant licenses. Supporters say refusal to comply with the REAL ID law could result in residents needing a passport to fly domestically next year.

Also heading to the Senate floor, is a bill that would allow any Louisiana voter to vote by mail. State law only allows an absentee vote if that person has a reason they can’t vote in person. The Secretary of State’s office did not speak in opposition to the legislation, but said the new law would increase the cost of a ballot by over a dollar. Despite cost concerns, the Senate Government Affairs committee approved the legislation.

The House education committee is expected to debate tomorrow legislation that would prohibit school boards from requiring school uniforms. The bill’s author, Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater, says he’s heard a lot of postive and negative feedback about the proposal…
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Broadwater says the bill was the result of an exercise he did with fourth graders, who approved this legislation during a field trip to the state capitol.

The House Natural Resources panel is scheduled to hear a bill tomorrow that would add “blaize pink” as an alternative for the hunter oranger requirements. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says this would give female hunters more options, without taking away from safety…
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White says the legislation has the support of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.