Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Senate passes dozens of bills, swears in new member and adopts multiple commendations
Loading...
Summary
On March 24 the Louisiana Senate swore in Sydney J. Bartholomew II, adopted several commendations and unanimously or near‑unanimously passed a broad set of bills ranging from highway namings and administrative cleanups to a cybersecurity standard for GOHSEP and changes to tax‑exemption reporting.
The Louisiana Senate on Wednesday swore in Sydney J. Bartholomew II, heard recognitions and approved a long list of measures including highway renamings, regulatory and administrative changes, criminal‑justice bills and policy updates.
Oath and recognitions: The chamber administered the oath to newly elected Senator Sydney J. Bartholomew II after the clerk certified his election. Senators used personal‑privilege time to honor groups and individuals, including Ward Properties Inc. (named tree farmer of the year), the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office for significant narcotics seizures and Internet‑crimes work.
Key bills passed (selected): - SB13, SB20, SB21 — Technical and actuarial changes to statewide retirement systems to standardize application of actuarial gains and contributions; recorded as passed on the floor. - SB318 — Changes to the tax‑exemption budget reporting structure to remove certain parish‑level data and create a separate business tax‑benefit report organized by NAICS code; passed. - SB75 — Grants the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) authority to codify cybersecurity standards and conditions reimbursement for entities receiving ESF assistance that do not comply; passed 38‑0. - SB199 — Amendments to prostitution statutes focused on demand, including a mandatory minimum for specified purchases and registry provisions (amendments adopted to avoid criminalizing trafficking victims); passed 38‑0. - SB200 — Amends the Louisiana military code to allow the military or Department of Defense to seek judicial expropriation of land owned by a foreign adversary near military bases if ownership poses public‑safety or health risks; passed unanimously in the session. - SB40 — Update to the “move over” law requiring stranded vehicles to display hazard lights and protecting first responders; amendment adopted and bill passed unanimously.
Many other bills and resolutions were presented and passed with unanimous or near‑unanimous votes, including multiple memorials, local bills, and administrative or technical updates. Several measures were carried with coauthors added on the floor.
Votes and next steps: The clerk recorded vote tallies on the floor for each bill as it was taken; several measures passed unanimously (38‑0) or with substantial majorities. Bills now proceed through the regular post‑passage processes, including placement on the governor’s desk or further House consideration as applicable.
The Senate adjourned to meet the next day for continued consideration of remaining business.
