Legislative Report April 5th

A bill that would force students who lose TOPS to repay the value of the scholarship passed a house committee on an eight to five vote. The legislation by Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo would charge students who drop out, or lose eligibility while in school. Garofalo says his bill isn’t mean spirited, it’s responsible.

Cut 15 (09) “that gift”

But New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie says the bill targets working class students who often times lose eligibility after a few years when bills start piling up.

Cut 14 (11)   “to school”

The bill heads to House Appropriations.

A bill that expands illnesses that medical marijuana can be prescribed for clears a House Committee. State Representative Ted James bill adds Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, muscle spasms, and intractable pain to diagnoses that physicians will be able to prescribe medical marijuana for when it becomes available in Louisiana. Rep James…

Cut 9 (08) “save lives.”

Dr. Will Hall, with the Louisiana Baptist Coalition, warned the committee that not enough research has been done to determine the out-come of increasing the access to medical marijuana.

Cut 10 (:11) “etcetra.”

And a bill legalizing the use of medical marijuana for children with autism passed on a 71 to 21 vote.