The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that says if a police officer determines a driver is 51-percent or more at fault, than the driver can not recover any insurance money for injuries. Defense Attorney Sidney Degan says the proposed legislation could reduce the amount of dollars awarded in a multi-vehicle wreck, which would help reduce rates and frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 15 (15) “…neligence and fault.”

Lawmakers say reducing accidents can help bring down insurance rates. That’s why Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has authored a bill that would ticket drivers who travel at the speed limit or below in the left lane. Luneau says he’s received a lot of positive feedback…

Cut 6 (09) “….feel the love”

The measure is heading to the Senate floor after receiving approval from Senate Transportation.

A law school could be coming to north Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says over 39-thousand Louisiana students have applied for state funding through the L-A Gator Scholarship program, the state’s new voucher program. Governor Jeff Landry has proposed 93-million dollars should be allocated for the program next school year, but that would only serve 12-thousand students.

An auto insurance reform bill advances to the full House, with the support of the governor and despite the opposition of the insurance commissioner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 26 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that can result in a 150-dollar fine for driving in the left lane and not attempting to pass other vehicles. The House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation to ban outdoor balloon releases, once the balloon falls back to the ground, it becomes litter and a threat to wildlife.

The district attorney in Catahoula Parish is seeking the death penalty against a Las Vegas man who killed a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish. Former President Joe Biden commuted the federal death sentence of Thomas Sanders who was found guilty of killing Lexis Roberts. Catahoula D-A Brad Burget believes Sanders should be executed for what he’s done and a state grand jury this week indicted him on a first-degree murder charge…

Cut 9 ()8) “…try this matter”

Northwestern State is working to establish a law school and executive vice president and provost Greg Handel says if they get the necessary approvals from the U-L System and the Board of Regents, they could hopefully begin teaching law in the fall of 2026…

Cut 12 (10) “…surmountable for us”

The idea started picking up steam when the school hired NSU graduate and former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese as its new president last year.

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”