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.

The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if police determine a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, that driver cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you should not be able to collect if the accident is mostly your fault.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the same measure.”

House Bill 431 was approved on an 11-4 vote and advances to the House floor.

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at drivers who travel at the speed limit in the left lane and are not attempting to pass. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s measure would result in a 150-dollar fine for a first-time offender.

Cut 4 (12) “…to other traffic.”

This measure heads to the Senate floor for further discussion.

A Las Vegas man’s federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish was commuted, but he is now indicted on a state charge. And as Andrew Greenstein reports, the D-A is seeking the death penalty.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Office of Juvenile Justice confirms a 17-year-old offender at the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe escaped yesterday afternoon but was quickly apprehended. The O-J-J says their security protocols were activated immediately, and the juvenile was caught without incident.

The House Insurance Committee has had a lengthy debate on a proposed change to state law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates. Governor Landry testified in support of the bill, saying insurance companies are charging exorbitant premiums despite taking in 1.4-billion dollars more than they pay in claims. Because of this, Landry says the insurance commissioner should have the ability to clamp down on those premiums

Cut 5 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, also a Republican, testified against the bill, urging the committee to reject it because it would undo all the progress that he’s made with insurance carriers over the last year.

Cut 7 (06) “…direction of California.”

A vote on whether to advance the bill to the House floor is expected soon.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.

Cut 9 (07)  “…released into the air.”

The measure also has the support of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The full House will hear the bill next.

LSU baseball pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Coach Jay Johnson made the announcement following the team’s ten to three win over McNeese last night. Johnson says they wanted to get the junior right-hander on the mound this season, but at least he should be ready for 2026…

Cut 12 (10) “…next year”

A Republican state senator is proposing an alternative to the fortified roof grant program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

At the state capitol…Governor Jeff Landry testified in front of the House Insurance Committee as he continues to urge legislators to pass insurance reform legislation that would put new regulations on trial lawyers and insurance companies.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill to raise the pay poll commissioners by 50 dollars. It would cost the state around three million dollars, so the House Appropriations Committee will likely take a look at the legislation.

Campaign finance reports on the 2026 U-S Senate race shows that Senator Bill Cassidy has seven-point-five million dollars on hand, while State Treasurer John Kennedy has two-point-two million dollars. Casidy raised one-point-three million dollars in the first quarter, while Fleming raised 263-thousand dollars and loaned his own campaign two-million dollars. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and is concerned about Fleming’s chances of unseating Cassidy…

Cut 4 (10) “…in this race”

Fleming would face Cassidy in the Republican Party Primary.

There are numerous bills in this legislative session seeking to address the state’s high auto and property insurance rates. The chairman of the state Senate Insurance Committee Kirk Talbot has a bill that would give a homeowner a ten-thousand dollar tax credit if they install a fortified roof on their home….

cut 12 (07) “….and live here”

A fortified roof can withstand damaging winds from a hurricane, therefore reducing the number of claims an insurance company has to pay following a storm.

It’s Tulane Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. University President Michael Fitts says the school has a five-billion-dollar impact on the state’s economy…

cut 14 (09) “…at the hip”

Fitts says Tulane is working to create scholarship programs to help more Louisiana students attend college in-state.

Several education bills will be heard in the legislative session, ranging from school funding to TOPS Scholarship changes. Sean Richardson has more…

cut 2  (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Bossier Parish is mourning the death of former state lawmaker Billy Montgomery who passed away at the age of 87. Montgomery served in the state House from 1988 to 2008. He helped secure 60-million dollars to build Bossier Parish Community College. He also led the Haughton boys’ basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 1968 to 1969.