The Louisiana House has voted to hold a Constitutional Convention to make significant changes to the state’s constitution. The start date of the proposed convention has been pushed back from May 20th to August 1st. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu explains why…
Cut 12 (07) “…be rushed.”
The measure heads to the Senate and the Senate is not entirely on board with having a convention this year.

A Senate-approved bill to require public school students to either turn off or stow away their cell phones during instructional time receives approval from the House Education Committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell wants to eliminate what is sometimes a major distraction from the classroom…
Cut 4 (07) “…go learn”
The measure heads to the House floor. It’s already passed the Senate so it’s close to reaching the governor’s desk. If signed into law, it will go into effect for the next school year.

A bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban when the victim is under the age of 17 fails in committee after emotional debate. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Baton Rouge porn star Stormy Daniels took to the witness stand yesterday in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Prosecutors allege Trump paid Daniels 130-thousand dollars to keep quiet about a sexual encounter. Trump denies having sex with her. But Daniels said they did have sex after meeting at a celebrity golf tournament in 2006. Daniels kept quiet about the incident until Trump’s 2016 presidential bid and that’s when she says she negotiated a payment with Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a property insurance reform package into law, but there is skepticism over whether they’ll help bring down rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the bills will rebalance the regulatory and legal environment of the insurance market, which will spur more competition, driving rates down…
cut 28 (10) “…other states’ \
But opponents of the bills say the legislation will only allow insurance companies to improve their profit margin.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that calls for a constitutional convention. It would begin on August 1st instead of May 20th as originally proposed, so there’s more time to discuss how the constitution will be reorganized. But Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is skeptical that this is just a refresh of the constitution…
cut 14 (12) “….not true”
The measure heads to the Senate.

A bill to provide exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed to receive approval from a House committee. Greenwell Springs Republican, Representative Lauren Ventrella questioned Delisha Boyd on the enforcement of the bill, asking how you would know if someone was telling the truth that they were raped. Boyd responded by asking how would you know if a nine-year-old was raped?
Cut 11 (12) “…you know?”
The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

A bill that would require public school students to have their phones off or stowed away during instructional time is nearing final legislative passage. The House Education Committee approved this bill that’s received Senate approval. Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine did express concern about students not having a phone during an emergency…
cut 6 (11) “….active shooter situation”
But supporters of the legislation says adults will be the ones contacting police.

On a 75-27 vote, the Louisiana House approves legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so lawmakers and delegates chosen by the governor can make several changes to the state constitution. The bill was amended to change the start date from May 20th to August 1st and New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says there will be convention committee hearings in June and July…
cut 13 (10) “….have protected”
The measure heads to the Senate.

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s near total abortion ban failed to get out of a House committee. It’s a personal issue for bill author and New Orleans Democratic Representative Delisha Boyd. Boyd says her mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.
Cut 8 (07) “…these children.”
But opponents of Boyd’s bill say pregnancies should be carried to term no matter what led to the conception of that child.

A bill closing in on final legislative passage says public schools would no longer allow children to have access to their phone during instructional time. It would have to be either turned off or stowed away. House Education approved the measure on a ten to one vote. The lone no vote came from Gray Representative Beryl Amedee…
cut 5 (13) “….we have an avenue”
Supporters say phones have become a big distraction in the classroom.

A three-judge federal panel that rejected the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year have ordered the Legislature to come up with a new map by June 3rd or the courts will draw the map. But Secretary of State Nancy Landry says it needs a new map by May 15th in order to run a proper federal election in November. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the federal court system has put the state in a tough position…
cut 16 (06) “….more and more bizarre”

The full House has approved legislation enabling the state to hold a Constitutional Convention. An amendment was added to the measure that pushes the start date of the convention back from May 20th to August 1st. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says this was done to alleviate concerns that the state was rushing into a convention
Cut 12 (07) “…be rushed.”
The measure still needs the Senate to approve and they are not as excited about the need for a constitutional convention as the House.

Federal judges have ordered Louisiana lawmakers to try again and draw up a Congressional map that can be used for the 2024 federal elections. The three-judge panel gave lawmakers until June 3rd to approve a new map or they’ll draw one for them. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this would be the Legislature’s third try…
Cut 15 (05) “…Supreme Court.”
Secretary of State Nancy Landry has said they need to have a map in place by May 15th to adequately prepare for the November Congressional races.

Public school students may not be allowed to have their phone with them during instructional time. Sean Richardson reports on a bill nearing final legislative passage…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban was amended for exceptions only to apply when the victim is under the age of 17. The bill, however, failed to advance from House Criminal Justice after emotional debate. Bill author New Orleans Democrat, Representative Delisha Boyd’s mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.

Cut 8 (08) “…these children.” 

Haughton Republican, Representative Dodie Horton says while she agrees the rape of a child is horrific, she believes the life of the unborn child should be protected.

AM Cut 9 (07)  “…innocent child.”

The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

The legislature will have a third crack at drawing the state’s congressional map. The three-panel judge issued the decision Tuesday. The court also dismissed the Secretary of State’s May 15^th deadline. Lawmakers are still in session but it’s unclear if a bill can be filed to draft a new map in this session. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she will still proceed with taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed four property insurance reform bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A federal 3 judge panel is giving the Louisiana Legislature until June 3^rd to draw yet another congressional map or have the court provide interim boundaries for the November 5^th election. The last map, drawn in January, was ruled unconstitutional because of impermissible racial gerrymander. This time the judges did not say this map would require a 2^nd majority minority district.  It’s not clear whether Lawmakers have a legislative instrument that would allow for a new map during this session, as it appears the deadline to introduce new bills for this session has passed.

The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure. McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…

Cut 6  (10) “…lower crime.” 

One of the bills Governor Landry signed into law this morning phases out the three-year rule for Insurance Companies. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a policyholder that’s been a customer for three or more years. But Pollock Representative Gabe Firment gives the insurers the ability to drop some of their older policyholders…

Cut 11 (11) ” ..in Louisiana.”

Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated is being honored by the U.S. House with the naming of his hometown post office. His widow and 5th district U.S.  Representative Julia Letlow spoke on the House floor.

Cut 3 (07) “..his story.” 

Letlow worked in the Jindal administration as his congressional district director and then as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.

A federal 3 judge panel is giving the Louisiana Legislature until June 3^rd to draw yet another congressional map or have the court provide interim boundaries for the November 5^th election. The last map, drawn in January, was ruled unconstitutional because of impermissible racial gerrymander. This time the judges did not say this map would require a 2^nd majority minority district.  It’s not clear whether Lawmakers have a legislative instrument that would allow for a new map during this session, as it appears the deadline to introduce new bills for this session has passed.

McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…

Beginning July 4^th, adults will no longer need a permit to conceal carry in Louisiana. The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure.

Cut 9 (09) “…laws anyhow.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has signed four property insurance reform bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The U S House is honoring the late Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated They are naming of his hometown post office after him. His widow and 5th district U.S.

Cut 5 (09)  “…post offices.” 

The legislation is expected to pass and the post office in Rayville on Benedette Street will be named the “Luke Letlow Post Office Building.”