Local legislators have bills signed into law

By Matthew Penix
St. Tammany News
Published on Monday, June 23, 2008 10:07 AM CDT



Each year legislative sessions typically produce controversial bills such as lawmakers’ pay raises that dominate headlines and talk radio station content. But as the session winds down to its end Monday, hundreds, if not thousands, of lesser-known bills are funneled through the session at the last minute with little or no debate.

Here’s a glance at some of those bills from area legislators already signed into law by Friday afternoon by Gov. Bobby Jindal:

• House Bill 733 authored by state Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, allows parishes statewide to appoint a litter abatement official to enforce new littering penalties of up to $500 a day and 40 hours of community service, or both.

• House Bill 144 authored by state Rep. Greg Cromer, R-Slidell, requires candidates for Slidell City Court judge to have practiced Louisiana law for eight years instead of the previous five-year requirement.

• House Bill 143, also authored by Cromer, allows Slidell City Court to rule on civil matters originally handled by justice of the peace officers. No more than 10 plaintiffs, however, can be involved in the suit.

• House Bill 873 authored by state Rep. Scott Simon, R-Abita Springs, allows voters enrolled in a special program for physically handicapped voters to produce one witness signature instead of the previously required two when voting early or on absentee ballots.

• Senate Bill 283 authored by Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, names the boat launch at U.S. Highway 90 at the Pearl River the Edward C. Scogin Memorial Boat Launch in remembrance of the former state representative for District 76.

• Senate Bill 497, also authored by Crowe, allows floral vendors to now operate climate controlled flower vending machines within 25 miles of their business headquarters. Previously, florists could only operate a “mobile pushcart” outside of their business site.


Comments

No comments posted.

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The St. Tammany News is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in thesttammanynews.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the St. Tammany News. The St. Tammany News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized St. Tammany News spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
Current Word Count: