A bill that would require a person to be 21 to enter a bar instead of 18 is up for debate in the legislative session that begins today. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30)  “Michelle Southern reporting.”

A new app released today by President of the Senate Page Cortez and Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder makes following the Louisiana Legislature easy. The La Lege app helps users navigate the Louisiana State Capitol, learn about legislature members, and watch committee meetings and floor debates. The La Lege app is free and available on Apple or Google Play.

The 2023 legislative session begins today and Louisiana lawmakers will address many bills, including whether to raise the state’s expense limit. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the state can only spend so much money each year and is quickly approaching the spending cap for the current fiscal.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the future.”

Alford says when it comes to money, lawmakers will also debate who should get pay raises and how much.

Recent research of Louisiana voters commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows attitudes changing toward criminal just reform. Baton Rouge pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics, says many respondents feel those with mental health issues deserve treatment instead of jail time but crime is still a concern.

Cut 11 (09)  “…in nature.”

The poll found 77 percent surveyed feel persons charged with misdemeanors or minor offenses – and no danger to others – should remain out of jail, pending trial.

Louisiana lawmakers will hear numerous bills as the 2023 legislative session gets underway today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Expect an increase at the gas pumps – with the average price at $3.27 a gallon, according to the AAA’s Gas Prices. Last week it was $3.17, up ten cents in less than a few days. One of the reasons you will pay more at the pump is because of supply and demand.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed legislation to increase the age limit to enter bars in Louisiana from 18 to 21. The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender. Mizell expects some resistance from lobbyists who represent bars and nightclubs.

Cut 6 (04)  “…under 21.”

Businesses could face penalties ranging from $50 to $15,000.

A recent survey commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows viewpoints of Louisianans are shifting when it comes to putting criminal offenders in prison. Baton Rouge pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics, says 75 percent of those surveyed say major improvement is needed in the criminal justice system,

Cut 12 (11)  “…of the offense.”

Read the survey report at “WinWithJMC.com”

The 2023 legislative session begins today. Jeremy Alford with La-Politics-dot-com says over the next two months lawmakers will discuss pay raises for teachers and legislators, discuss proposals to improve the state’s property insurance market and since it’s an election year, there will be what he likes to call “bumper sticker issues”….
cut 9 (08) “….transgender issues”
It’s a fiscal session, so lawmakers are only allowed to file up to five non-fiscal bills. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has a bill that prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from entering a bar or nightclub. Current state law allows 18, 19 and 20 year-olds to enter…
cut 5 (12) “…of situations”
Mizell’s bill is in response to the death of 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks who was hit by a car following a night of drinking at a Tigerland bar.

A bill set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

One person is dead from an officer involved shooting that took place as officers responded to a shooting at the La Bamba Bar Lounge on Johnston Street in Lafayette. Lafayette Police say one person is in stable condition from the initial shooting and State Police say as cops responded, an officer working security detailed fired his weapon, killing an unidentified subject.

Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today for the 2023 legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting at a Lafayette night club on Johnston Street last night. L-S-P says it was a Lafayette Police Officer working security detail that fired his weapon, killing one person. Lafayette Police say shots rang out at La Bamba before the officer involved shooting.

As we reported in the first segment, today is the start of the 2023 legislative session. Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar – Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21…
Cut 4 (09) “…a negative.”
The legislation is called the “Card’Em Bill and it’s Senate Bill 194.

Another bill set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is working a crime scene or traffic accident or any other job related task. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says his bill would require a person to maintain a distance of at least 25 feet away from a law enforcement officer, or face charges and penalties…
cut 14 (08) “…determine that”
This is one of over 800 bills to be heard in the two month long session

A mostly fiscal legislative session begins today at the Louisiana capitol. How to spend the state’s money will be a focus of the two month long session.
cut 8 (07) “…..this year”
That’s La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford, who says Gretna lawmaker Joe Marino is proposing to increase legislators’ annual salary from $16,800 to 60-thousand dollars in 2024.

A poll of Louisiana voters commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows attitudes changing about putting offenders in prison. JMC analytics pollster John Couvillon says a large percentage of respondents favor alternatives to jail, if the offense wasn’t a violent one…:
Cut 10 (11) “…non-violent offenses.”
The poll found 77-percent surveyed feel persons charged with misdemeanors or minor offenses – and no danger to others – should remain out of jail, pending trial.

A bill up for debate in the legislative session that begins today would require a person to be 21 or older to enter a bar instead of at least 18.
Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern reporting.”

Lawmakers return to the Capitol today to begin the 2023 Session. Among issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers….:
Cut 7 (12) “in the future”
Because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues. Alford says the House Criminal Justice committee will hear several emotional issues, like abortion, the death penalty, and tough-on-crime legislation.

There’s also a bill by State Representative Edmond Jordan that would make police departments pay up if they are involved in a chase that ends in death or injury to an innocent bystander. That’s got the goal of discouraging dangerous chases.

Another bill set to be heard this session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is bringing a bill to raise the age requirement to enter a bar from 18 to 21…:
Cut 4 (09) “a negative”
The bill would also require bartenders to be 21.

Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge Monday for the 2023 legislative session:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say an Alexandria woman was killed in an Avoyelles Parish crash Friday night and impairment is suspected to be a factor. They say the investigation revealed 23-year-old Christopher McCoy of Bunkie drove his truck off the road into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. McCoy sustained moderate injuries but his passenger, 22-year-old Lauren Vaughn died on the scene. McCoy is suspected to have been under the influence.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson has a bill for the legislative session that makes it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is doing their job. He says he’s heard from LEOs about citizens walking upon them unexpectedly, while they’re working a crime scene or traffic accident…:
Cut 13 (09) “safety issue”
He says this will help set officers a little more at ease while they do their jobs.

Another measure to be heard would raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her “Card’em” bill requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to show their ID verifying they are 21. She expects pushback from bar owners even though underage drinking is not legal…:
Cut 6 (04) “under 21”
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender.

The 2023 regular legislative session begins on Monday and one of the issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers…:
CUT 7 (12) “in the future”
And because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues this session.

Another bill would require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could make them sterile. It’s a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis…:
CUT 6 (09) “bill does”
The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

Another matter set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And there will be no Game 3 between the LSU and South Carolina baseball teams. The already rescheduled game was cancelled today due to ongoing rain in Columbia and will not be made up. This set began on Thursday and SEC rules state once it begins you have 3 days to play 3 games. The two teams evened the series with the Gamecocks taking Game 1 and The Tigers winning Friday 8-7.