Legislation that would relax the state’s strict penalties for marijuana possession went up in smoke Thursday after the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association came out against the bill.
HB 14, authored by state Rep. Austin Badon, would decrease the fine for second-time offenders to no more than $500 from the current maximum of $2,500.
According to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, Badon withdrew his bill after the Sheriff’s Association went behind his back and testified against the bill in front of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Badon said the Sheriff’s Association had previously told him their organization would remain neutral on the bill.
Common core standards upheld
The House Education Committee killed a bill Wednesday that would have replaced the state’s Common Core education standards.
Common Core standards refer to a collection of nationally imposed benchmarks that elementary and high school students must reach.
HB 381, by state Rep. Brett Geymann, would have created a committee tasked with creating new education standards for the state in place of its current divisive criteria.
New bill to halt St. George incorporation
State Sen. Ben Nevers introduced a bill Tuesday that would restrict any new city from incorporating in the state until December of next year.
Nevers’ bill would halt the contentious establishment of the city of St. George for the allotted time period.