Session 2010: A peek behind the curtain

In about a week and a half, on March 29, lawmakers will gather in Baton Rouge to kick off their 2010 regular session. While there are new fiscal challenges, there will still be the same old cornucopia of policy ideas that will grab our interests, maybe make us laugh and definitely have us scratching our heads. So far, House members have filed 533 bills for consideration and senators have filed 119 bills. There’s House Bill 271 by Rep. Fred Mills, D-Parks, creates the crime of illegally selling urine or adulterants to circumvent screening tests. House Bill 470 by Rep. Rickey Hardy, D-Lafayette, is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit a person 70 years old or older from qualifying for elective office. And House Bill 489 by Harrison is a constitutional amendment that would abolish the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. For an overview of others that you’ll likely hear more about in the coming weeks and months, click here. – Jeremy Alford