BATON ROUGE, La. — Over the next 12 weeks, lawmakers will create and debate legislation that will shape Louisiana's future. It's the first regular session under Governor Jeff Landry's leadership.
Non-partisan political analyst Ron Faucheux said we can expect to see major legislation on education, insurance regulation, and crime.
“He’s got more than two-thirds of Republican legislators voting on these issues. So, it’s very likely that the governor and the legislative leadership will be able to get most everything that they want," Faucheux said.
Landry has already called for a special crime session, and task force focused on the Sewerage and Water Board.
“There’s been a lot of activity. Probably more than I think a lot of people have expected in terms of major policy proposals," Faucheux said.
Last week, Landry signed more than 20 bills into law that passed during the special session on crime. However, the amendment process may take place during the regular session.
Faucheux said that restrictions to the permitless carry bill are expected to be introduced.
Some lawmakers said they are focused on undoing some of the governor's earlier decisions.
“It’s concerning that the governor didn’t expand the summer EBT program," State Representative Kyle Green (D-Marrero) said, "I filed a bill rather that would actually give universal breakfast to children for the upcoming school year. So that's something that I'm hoping we can take a look at."
A crucial topic for folks across southern Louisiana is homeowners' insurance. Several bills introduced on both sides of the aisle are aimed at lowering rates.
"We need availability. We need competition," Senator Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge) said.
Bills that could alter the governance structure and billing of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans are also on the table.
“New Orleans is the face of Louisiana across the country and across the globe for many people," State Representative Stephanie Hilferty (R-Metairie) said, “And if you have a failing utility that is so vital to the city’s general operations, that affects us, right. And that’s not even speaking of the hundreds of thousands of people that call New Orleans home that deal with these issues daily.”
Faucheux also said money will be top of mind.
“State budget surpluses created from federal programs and pandemic relief will soon run out. So, the legislature will have to make some hard decisions about spending cuts," Faucheux said.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.