A bill to lessen the penalties for marijuana possession was pulled back in committee today by the author, after the head of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association testified against it. HB 14 would decrease the maximum prison sentence for a second offense from five years to two; and for a third offense from 20 years to five. “I wish I could go further,” said Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, the bill’s sponsor. Opposing the bill was LSA Executive Director Mike Ranatza, who said, “Possession of marijuana leads to other offenses.” Badon complained that the sheriffs reneged on their word after telling him they would not oppose his bill. “I think that was totally unprofessional and unethical,” he said, before asking to have his bill voluntarily deferred, which means he could still bring it up again.
—Without objection, the House today passed a package of bills that would require stronger penalties and enforcement action in cases of domestic violence, including a ban on gun possession in some cases. The package of bills by Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, was extensively lobbied by activists against domestic abuse. HB 753 would ban gun possession for those who have protective orders against them or who have been convicted of domestic abuse battery. HB 747 would increase the maximum penalty for domestic abuse battery from six months to one year. It would also require the offender to attend a 26-week course designed for perpetrators of domestic violence, to be monitored by the court. HB 750 toughens enforcement of protective orders, including a requirement that police arrest a suspect when there is evidence of a violation of a protective order.
(John Maginnis and Jeremy Alford will publish Capitol Views each afternoon on Daily Report PM through the end of the legislative session. The report is also available to subscribers at LaPolitics.com. Registration is available on the homepage.)
