28 April 2008

Committee action, Apr. 28: SB 199

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 199 would raise the maximum amount that could be held by the Budget Stabilization Fund to seven rather than four percent of revenues. Sen. Nick Gautreaux said this bill was a prudent measure to enable the state to bank more money. It would not impact spending on current services since it kicks in only during flush times, and it was entirely voluntary in most instances whether to put money into it.

Sen. Lydia Jackson wondered why he didn’t change the trigger figures to access the fund, that the budget would be “destabilized” unless the threshold to access funds was made easier. She wanted the bill to lay over for more information. He said that didn’t change the facts of the bill and could live with that but if they wanted to kill the bill, through deferral, they could.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Michot said if there was some greater benefit such as getting a better bond rating, he could go along with it, but nobody knew how the increase would affect that. Sen. Mike Walsworth suggested comparisons with other states to see what their level was, and to defer it until then.

Gautreaux and the committee went along with that without objection.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Let’s just face facts, and end it now … I didn’t move to defer.
Gautreaux, implying a temporary deferral would in reality be permanent and to stop the pretense, but when Michot suggested Gautreaux had move for that, he corrected him.

26 April 2008

Legislative regular session through Apr. 26, 2008

THE GOOD: HB 1172 by Karen St. Germain would allow splitting of election commissioner shifts; HB 1195 by Rep. John Shroder would force nongovernmental organizations receiving a state appropriation to put up matching funds and comply with reporting requirements (Similar to SB 561: HB 1168; similar bill to SB 526: HB 1166; similar bills to HB 1195: HB 1207, HB 1212; similar bill to HB 598: HB 1209; similar bill to SB 397: SB 772)

THE BAD: SB 796 by Sen. Joe McPherson would make it easier for the state to pile up more debt (similar bill to HB 106: HB 1198, SB 792; similar bill to SB 223: HB 1213; similar bills to HB 397: HB 1302, 1306)

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 506 passed committee; HB 622 passed House; SB 27 with minor amendments was reported to the Senate; SB 87 passed committee; SB 133 passed House committee; SB 167 passed House committee; SB 422 was reported by substitute to the Senate; SB 561 was reported by substitute to the Senate becoming SB 733; SB 598 passed committee and Senate;

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 81 was involuntarily deferred in committee; HB 82 with major amendments passed committee; HB 551 was withdrawn; HB 852 with minor amendments passed House; SB 134 passed committee; SB 223 with minor amendments passed committee; SB 653 with minor amendments passed Senate;

MONDAY: SB 1 and SB 527 are scheduled to be heard by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee; SB 199 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee

SCORECARD:
Total House introductions: 1353; total Senate introductions: 805.

Total House good bills: 41; total Senate good bills: 25.

Total House bad bills: 39; total Senate bad bills: 15.

Total House good bills heard in committee: 14; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 8.

Total House bad bills heard in committee: 14; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 7.

Total House good bills passing committee: 7; total Senate good bills passing committee: 7.

Total House bad bills passing committee: 3; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 5.

Total House good bills passing the House: 3; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 3.

Total House bad bills passing the House: 1; total Senate bad bills passing the Senate: 1.

Total Senate good bills passing House committee: 2; total Senate good bills passing House committee: 2.

23 April 2008

Committee action, Apr. 23: SB 167, SB 134, SB 135, HB 924

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 167 by Sen. Edwin Murray would allow for committees between sessions to meet by video conferencing. House and Governmental Affairs chairman Rep. Rick Gallot said he believed the time was right in terms of technology for this to become possible. He said these would be for informational purposes. However, each chamber would have to adopt rules to permit a per diem to be paid. He said this would not be required, but could be used in uncomplicated cases.

A spokesman for a firm dealing with software that could arrange for this answered some questions about the technical aspects of the process. But Rep. George Cromer, on the question of quorums, said this could be used to shut the public out because all substantive discussion could occur away from the public.

Despite this, the bill was adopted without objection.

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 134 would allow classified civil servants to advocate politically on behalf of organizations of which they are officers. Author Sen. Joe McPherson said this would allow groups to say what a group’s position or endorsement, and that adequate protections still would be there to prevent political retaliation.

Sen. Jack Donahue asked whether this would defeat the purpose of civil service protections. McPherson said this would allow freer expression. Donahue asserted there was an implicit trade, stability for activism, which McPherson denied because he said those were individual rights whereas his bill was speech only in the context of a group. Donahue disagreed, saying this was an “end run.”

Donahue questioned supporting witnesses, from unions, who agreed a group was a collection of individuals and therefore voicing their opinions. Another said this essentially could be done by people with the organizations, just not by Louisiana civil servants. Opposing witnesses agreed with Donahue, saying the tradeoff is well understood at time of employment and it is for their own protection.

McPherson closed by saying this was a very slight change and these organizations were involved in the process, and the organizations deserved political speech which was more open than sending checks or holding up signs. Since this would entail constitutional change, he said at least let the people decide. He repeated there would be no threats to protection, nor did many witnesses feel intimidation.

The vote on SB 134, the constitutional amendment, deadlocked at 2-2 with Donahue opposing and McPherson and Murray favoring, others being absent. Then the enabling legislation, SB 135 passed 3-1 as Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Kostelka voted to pass. But then he said he had been mistaken and meant to do the opposite – vote for SB 134 the amendment, and not for the legislation SB 135. McPherson then graciously unwound both votes through reconsiderations and the intended result manifested.

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 924 would instruct legislators and statewide elected officials to teach two half days in the public schools, of which one would be in a poorer (“Title 1”) school. Rep. Don Trahan said it would better inform legislators. Treas. John Kennedy testified his experiences as a substitute teacher were valuable.

Rep. Karen Peterson offered amendments to reduce the time to an hour and make it less compulsory to allow legislators to talk about their experiences rather than actually instruct. But Trahan said he favored the more compulsory instructional language. Kennedy also said the real impact came from the longer time and the instruction of the lesson plan. Peterson said she thought this would be too much, and said she only earned $16,800 as a legislator and needed to earn a living otherwise, calling this “unreasonable.” Trahan said it just was not the same beneficial experience. Peterson then pledged for the next three years she would volunteer to do it and report back to Trahan, but that this should not be a matter of policy. Trahan said the bill did not actually require one to teach, and did not object to adoption of the amendment.

Rep. Patrick Connick said why not extend the bill to visit lots of different things, why only make education visits compulsory? Because, Trahan said, education was his interest and 55 percent of the budget was on education.

Amended, the bill was adopted without objection.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
This is an interesting bill … actually, it’s not.
Trahan, referring to his bill recreating the Department of Education.

I was satisfied with the vote on it.
McPherson, after reconsidering the vote on SB 134 before it on SB 135.

They’re so desperate for substitutes, they’re even taking politicians.
Kennedy, about his experiences substitute teaching.

21 April 2008

Committee and floor action, Apr. 21: SB 87, HB 622, HB 852

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 87 would restore income tax rates at the two highest brackets to the levels they occupied previous to the “Stelly Plan.” Author Sen. Buddy Shaw pointed out he was the only one to speak out against it in the House in 2002, and he still was against it because it was not revenue-neutral and the additional revenues allowed for more spending of money that he didn’t think needed to occur. He said the people ought to be keeping this money and that was how economic development really occurs.

Chairman of Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Rob Marionneaux asked what Shaw would recommend be cut to make up the $302 million estimated first-year revenue reduction. Shaw said he did not but was confident that his colleagues could find the approximately one percent reduction in the state budget. Sen. Robert Adley said he was uncertain he could support this without a list of cuts, but at the same time unrealistic revenue projections that were constantly low and that could argue for passage of this bill. Sen. Gerald Long concurred with Adley’s observations about missed projections.

Marionneaux asked why adjust up only the top two rates; Shaw answered the plan had not changed the lowest bracket and the bill was to accomplish that. The middle bracket got hit the worse since their sales tax reductions and offsets from other deductions came nowhere near compensating for the swap to a higher rate, he said.

A representative from the Division of Administration, John Carpenter, testified that a review of it discouraged them from supporting it at this time, in light of approaching deficits from national forces and energy price reductions, given unmet needs of deferred maintenance, unfunded accrued liabilities, etc. No discussions had been had on potential cuts, suggesting the committee hold onto the bill until other developments transpired. Adley wondered whether legislation couldn’t be drafted to take into account a trigger to produce tax cuts if future surpluses came in which he thought were likely. He also suggested that the proposed $307 million to a megafund to attract industry would bring a greater rate of return in the form of tax cuts to individuals.

Adley asked Shaw whether an amendment would be acceptable on the floor to create such a trigger mechanism. Shaw said he preferred a phase-in over this. Sen. Reggie Dupre said Adley’s bill of the year previous which eventually would allow deductions to be totally exempt were quite generous and further reduction would create too much inflexibility. He predicted too high oil and gas prices would negatively impact other state revenues so present revenues were needed. “Can we afford this now? No.”

Sen. Bob Kostelka thought there may be points of contention on the bill but that it deserved to move to the floor. He moved to report it favorably, which Dupre objected to. Marionneaux offered as a substitute to defer the bill until more information from the Revenue Estimating Conference met around the middle of May. Adley asked Shaw what he preferred on this, and wanted an affirmative date on when the bill could be heard next in order that the bill could make it through the process. He thought there were ample funds already. Shaw preferred to move the bill now and have debate on the floor.

Dupre wondered whether dual referral to Finance was necessary; Marionneaux said if there was an expenditure involved over $500,000, that would be the case, but this was not, although it could be asked for on the floor of the Senate. Shaw objected to the substitute. It failed 3-5. The subsequent vote to adopt succeeded 6-3.

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 622 would change the lifetime (shorter) and powers (more implementation, less policy) of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Author Speaker Jim Tucker argued this would increase efficiency in use of recovery funds. An amendment clarified it really was the governor through his representatives who would set policy, to be approved by the Legislature, which was adopted without objection.

The bill passed 103-0.

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 852 would prohibit non-hands-free driving in use of cell phones. Author Rep. Austin Badon said this would not prevent use of cell phones in vehicles, just using hand-held devices. He showed the $10 device he bought to accomplish this, and pointed out other jurisdictions and military facilities already adhered to this law. There was plenty of unsafe behavior out there – “you can’t have a hands-free hamburger” – but at least this would eliminate some of it, he said.

Rep. Sam Little wondered whether, since most accidents occurred in rural areas, this would help reduce them. Badon said he thought it would. Rep. Tony Ligi wondered how it would address the dialing of phones. Badon said in many instances you could use voice-activated technology, but dialing would be brief compared to holding a phone up.

Rep. Rickey Nowlin wanted to know how the text-messaging ban would be enforced. Badon said it might be difficult but the point was to ban potentially unsafe behavior. Nowlin thought therefore this should be a secondary offense. Badon said police and judges still had much discretion in applying the law.

Rep. Scott Simon said his research showed the same part of the brain that engages in driving skills is used in making calls, so the bill really wouldn’t address the distraction issue. Badon argued other physical manipulations also created danger that could be eliminated with this bill even if others still existed.

Rep. Jeff Arnold had an amendment that would prohibit a dozen other behaviors, including “banging your head to rock music.” He said the point of the amendment was to show “you can’t legislate common sense.” Badon objected. The amendment failed 8-88. Even so, Arnold said the bill was unnecessary since other laws covered negligent operation of a vehicle. Further, he said accurate enforcement would be virtually impossible.

Speaking against the bill, Arnold was questioned by Rep. J.P. Morrell who asked whether this could be used as a method to circumvent rights, which Arnold said he thought so. But Rep. Regina Barrow said she had just been in an accident whose driver was distracted talking on a cell phone.

Rep. Cedric Richmond offered an amendment to make imposition of the law a local issue, which he would think was helpful for rural areas. But Rep. Kay Katz thought this would be too inconsistent. She also pointed out any costs imposed by the bill would be negated if one simply didn’t talk on the road. The amendment failed 36-61.

After an amendment passed to change the implementation date to 2009, Badon closed. The bill passed 55-45.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
You have glasses on, so you would seem to use four eyes.
Badon, after Little asserted that he drove “with one eye on the road.”

You’ve got something black growing out of your ear.
Rep. Roy Burrell, noticing Badon’s Bluetooth receiver.

There were other things that I could have put on the list, but I wanted it to keep it G-rated.
Arnold, concerning his amendment.

I would suggest you don’t turn him on in the first place. We’re lucky in New Orleans; we don’t get him.
Arnold, when it was asked whether his amendment would prohibit changing a car’s radio station to tune in talk show host Moon Griffon.

TUESDAY: HB 734 is scheduled to be heard by the House Education Committee.

19 April 2008

Legislative regular session through Apr. 19, 2008

THE GOOD: HB 1157 by Rep. Tim Burns would prohibit renting property to known illegal laiens.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 34 with minor amendments passed committee, failed to pass House; HB 436 passed committee; HB 622 with minor amendments passed committee; HB 888 with technical amendments passed committee; SB 561 with minor amendments passed committee;

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 106 failed to pass House; HB 852 with minor amendments passed committee; SB 61 with minor amendments failed to pass the Senate; SB 653 with minor amendments passed committee.

MONDAY: HB 259 and HB 835 are scheduled to be heard by the House Appropriations Committee; HB 381 is scheduled to be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee; SB 27 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Retirement Committee; SB 87 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee; SB 223 and SB 598 are scheduled to be heard by the Senate Finance Committee.

Total House introductions: 1179; total Senate introductions: 697.

Total House good bills: 36; total Senate good bills: 23.

Total House bad bills: 35; total Senate bad bills: 13.

Total House good bills heard in committee: 10; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 4.

Total House bad bills heard in committee: 8; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 3.

Total House good bills passing committee: 6; total Senate good bills passing committee: 2.

Total House bad bills passing committee: 1; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 3.

Total House good bills passing the House: 1; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 1.

15 April 2008

Floor action, Apr. 15: HB 106, SB 61

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 106 by J.P. Morrell would prohibit false statements by candidates in an election, with a possible overturning of an election result. A number of representatives saw problems with the practical implementation of the bill, even as they sympathized with the intent. Some saw how the standards could be manipulated to try to overturn election results by the losing party in hopes of having a revote where they would win, while, others argued that except for “oral” incidents recorded, these things never could be connected back to a campaign. Others wondered why this wouldn’t be case of libel which already has redress.

The most striking question was by Rep. Kirk Talbot, who wondered whether the bill as at all constitutional, given the First Amendment. “There’s no way in the world this is going to hold up,” he argued, admitting he was a non-lawyer. Rep. Tony Ligi wondered whether there were alternative means by which to deal with this issue, besides a civil lawsuit; Morrell said he intentionally made it a felony thus a criminal issue to deter and that current law had no remedy for a candidate losing an election because of false statements.

An amendment by Rep. Cameron Henry make it apply only to oral statement, adopted by consent. It then went to a vote, after an unsuccessful lockout attempt, the bill was defeated 48-52.

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 61 would force companies that write vehicle insurance to military personnel also to write them homeowners’ policies. Author Sen. Derrick Shepherd argued that this bill would help military personnel and veterans that often were forced to transfer to Louisiana and this was something the state could do on their behalf, to allow them to get insurance.

Sen. Nick Gautreaux argued that this would help the writing of policies in south Louisiana. He said the promise of stricter building codes was not improving rates for anyone, least of all the military. An amendment by Sen. Reggie Dupre ensured that active military had to at least get an offer for insurance if the new dwelling was no riskier than the previous by their vehicle insurer, pointing out this would apply only to 2,000 or so people. It passed 22-9.

Opponents argued that regulation of the industry was going to increase the cost of insurance and actually decrease the amount of insurance. Sen. Gerald Long, involved in insurance, said less policy-writing would occur. “Let’s lower the rates,” argued Sen. Jack Donahue, saying this would allow any high-risk building to occur if a company wanted to offer vehicle insurance.

But Sen. Dale Erdey said other previous reforms had attracted new writers and this bill would send the message that the state would carve out exceptions forcing the writing of policies, mandating rather than encouraging competitive rates.

In closing, Shepherd said not to pass the bill would be dishonoring those who served their country, claiming the Senate was losing respect for the military. He also said the military already gets a 10 percent auto insurance discount, he pointed out, so why not grant access to home insurance that does not even mandate rates? “How dare we get to the point where we say … I’m for it, but not now,” he proclaimed. “We’re losing our perspective.”

The bill was defeated 15-20.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
And proud of it.
Ligi, in describing his not being a lawyer.

WEDNESDAY: HB 981 is scheduled to be heard by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.

14 April 2008

Committee action, Apr. 14: HB 622, HB 407, SB 653

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 622 would reduce the size of the Louisiana Recovery Authority board from 33 to 17 and their terms, make it advisory while shifting the real policy-making power into a gubernatorial appointee as it folds into the governor’s Office of Community Development, but would give it control over implementation, and to sunset the agency by 2010. Author Speaker Jim Tucker said more work would have to be done on the floor, but that basically this legislation was to wind down the functions of the agency.

Rep. Patricia Smith reminded that she wanted to see the diversity provisions to be followed. After another technical amendment, the House Appropriations Committee approved it without objection.

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 407 by Rep. Rickey Hardy would ban drivers of public transportation (defined as commercial vans, taxis and buses) from using cell phones. Two amendments were put up to make it holders of Class A licenses included and would allow drivers for commercial transport to use a push-button feature to talk with dispatchers. These were adopted without objection.

Hardy noted the distraction make roadways less safe. But Patrick Judge with the Louisiana Public Transit Association said even with amendments the smaller systems had concerns. He said the larger systems tend to ban use when in transit, but the specialized systems (agencies who sue grant money to provide transport for special need such as the elderly) depend on cell phones as a dispatch tool which are the most cost efficient.

Rep. Robert Billiot wondered whether sufficient enforcement mechanisms would exist if this was passed. Hardy said he didn’t anticipate additional personnel resources needed. Rep. Hollis Downs said CB radios are an inexpensive alternative. Still, Rep. Karen St. Germain said cost should be a concern and wondered whether there was a fiscal note or time to get one done before the bill the floor.

Downs offered an amendment (in concept) that would allow any hands-free devices. Hardy agreed and it was adopted without objection. Downs ventured that maybe the bill ought to prohibit the use of any communication device for personal use by a driver. Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill said there ought to be appropriations for it with a “physical” note for it, but it was pointed out that this would be the responsibility of the Appropriation Committee, not this the Transportation, Highways, and Public Works Committee.

Rep. Rogers Pope wondered where the fines would go, of which Hardy was unsure. Pope suggested they could go back to funding the agencies. Rep. James Armes asked for some statistics; Hardy mentioned some studies did find some dramatic increases in accidents.

Hill came back and asked for an amendment (in concept) that would delay implementation until Councils on Aging had funds provided for this. Downs pointed out the bill as was only prohibited behavior and, if nothing else, users could pull over to communicate. Rep. Elton Aubert said he would rather exempt rather than provide funding. Hill then left the room, delaying things further. When she returned, it was defeated 4-11.

Billiot then offered an amendment (in concept) that would exempt the COAs on the basis of need and exempted show a plan to get the equipment by Jul. 1, 2009. There was objection to it, and it passed 10-6.

Rep. John Guinn then motioned to involuntarily to defer the bill and turn the bill into a study request. This passed 9-5.

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 653 would raise wages for Senate legislative assistants, and allow the hiring of an additional one (or more than one part-timers). Author Sen. Ann Duplessis argued more capable people would be attracted to what she said was a hard job, and Senate districts were too large not to have more people on the job and potentially another district office, with the doubling of the stipend for offices to $1,000 a month. She said the bill had been drafted wrong which sextupled the Senate stipend and tripled the House stipend, so she got an amendment offered to fix that.

Sen. Mike Walsworth wanted to know whether the present clerical aide would remain, which she said would. Sen. Nick Gautreaux wondered how a split would work in terms of benefits; Duplessis said it could disqualify them depending on the split. There was some discussion of the wording to make sure it reflected that the split had to have at least 80 percent of the total for that employee to receive benefits, and an amendment was adopted to clarify that.

Senators wondered whether enough money would exist in their present budget to absorb the increase, and were told there should be. The bill was reported favorably without amendment.

QUOTES OF THE DAY
Please turn off all cell phones while in committee.
Chairwoman Rep. Nita Hutter, while working on HB 407.

Yes, 1:05 on one bill. We need to pick up the pace.
Hutter, after finishing the bill.

How can we vote on a bill if we don’t know how much it costs?
Senator, it won’t be the last time you do it.
Sen. Robert Adley to freshman Sen. Jack Donahue.

12 April 2008

Legislative regular session through Apr. 12, 2008

THE GOOD: HB 1122 by Rep. Bobby Badon would extend early voting hours; SB 685 by Sen. Buddy Shaw would index individual income tax brackets (Similar bill as SB 598: SB 683)

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 34 with minor amendments passed committee; HB 790 passed the House; HB 960 passed the House; HB 1122 passed committee; SB 133 passed committee; SB 167 passed the Senate; SB 328 with minor amendments passed committee.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 106 passed committee; SB 61 with minor amendments passed committee; SB 223 with minor amendments passed committee.

MONDAY: HB 55 is scheduled to be heard by the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee; HB 381 is scheduled to be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee; HB 622 are scheduled to be heard by the House Appropriations Committee; HB 852 is scheduled to be heard by the House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works Committee; SB 598 and SB 653 are scheduled to be heard by the Senate Finance Committee.

Total House introductions: 1130; total Senate introductions: 689.

Total House good bills: 35; total Senate good bills: 23.

Total House bad bills: 35; total Senate bad bills: 13.

Total House good bills heard in committee: 7; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 4.

Total House bad bills heard in committee: 6; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 2.

Total House good bills passing committee: 4; total Senate good bills passing committee: 2.

Total House bad bills passing committee: 0; total Senate bad bills passing committee: 2.

Total House good bills passing the House: 1; total Senate good bills passing the Senate: 1.

07 April 2008

Committee action, Apr. 7: SB 207, 328

DID YOU KNOW?
SB 207 and SB 328 would explicitly permit the state, in the case of a non-recurring surplus, to return it in the form of a tax rebate. Sens. Mike Walsworth and Nick Gautreaux argued this was an option that should be available to taxpayers, and agreed they ought to merge the bills since they were nearly identical. Gautreaux pointed out that 57 percent of the previous surplus was derived from personal income taxes. There actually was a fiscal note on it, for paying for mailings to alert taxpayers. Walsworth pointed out anybody required to file income taxes would be eligible.

Sen. Jack Donahue asked about the present loophole to get around the six separate constitutional uses of a non-recurring surplus, retiring short-term debt that by its nature could then immediately be turned into current assets – essentially cash. From the Legislative Fiscal Office, Greg Albrecht said that was probably beyond the scope of this bill, thinking it would have to be a constitutional amendment. Donahue said this ought to be pursued

Sen. Edwin Murray wondered whether any such surplus could be used to create an automatic reduction in the next set of taxes due. However, timing and bureaucracy could be a problem and extensive, Albrecht said. Murray said this would make return of the money automatic.

An amendment was offered to change the effective date to have it Jan. 1 after the next elections, to take politics out, Walsworth said. Murray asked why not have the constitutional amendment go forward now for a vote even if it didn’t start in 2012? Gautreaux pointed out on his bill it didn’t have this part and he didn’t want it. It failed 1-7.

Gautreaux then offered an amendment that essentially merged the bills into SB 207. He even volunteered to have his bill used by Murray for his “trigger mechanism” for the automatic payment, but Murray said he wasn’t ready for that. The amendment was adopted without objection. The whole bill was reported without objection. Gautreaux then offered his bill for the same amended, and it was adopted.

TUESDAY: SB 133 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Committee.

WEDNESDAY: SB 223 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

05 April 2008

Legislative regular session through Apr. 5, 2008

THE BAD: SB 651 by Sen. Yvonne Dorsey would gut prohibitions of contracts entered into by state officials and their families; SB 672 by Sen. Ann Duplessis would pay part-time legislators full-time salaries (similar bill to SB 223: SB 653).

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 790 passed committee; HB 960 with minor amendments passed committee; SB 167 passed committee.

MONDAY: HB 169 and HB 436 are scheduled to be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee; SB 207 and SB 328 are scheduled to be heard by the Senate Finance Committee.

WEDNESDAY: SB 223 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

Total House introductions: 1119; total Senate introductions: 677.

Total House good bills: 35; total Senate good bills: 21.

Total House bad bills: 34; total Senate bad bills: 13.

Total House good bills heard in committee: 3; total Senate good bills heard in committee: 1.

Total House bad bills heard in committee: 0; total Senate bad bills heard in committee: 0.

Total House good bills passing committee: 2; total Senate good bills passing committee: 1.

Total House bad bills passing committee: 0; total Senate bad bills passing co