Latest news with #HB148
American Press
4 days ago
- Automotive
- American Press
Jim Beam column:Landry threats get bill passed
Louisiana's Republican Gov. Jeff Landry gets legislators to pass a bill that critics say weakens other bills designed to lower auto insurance premiums.(Photo courtesy of Meg Kinnard of AP). Anyone who doubts that Republican Gov. Jeff Landry is the most power hungry governor since the late-Huey P. Long (1928-32) hasn't been following legislative deliberations on auto insurance reform. Long was famously known as 'The Kingfish' because of his autocratic style, and Landry is a carbon copy. Legislators have approved some excellent bills designed to lower what are among the nation's highest auto insurance premiums. Unfortunately, Landry has strong-armed lawmakers to pass one bill that might just wipe out the progress from those good measures. The legislation that is now House Bill 148 was born as HB 576 by Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite. The legislation would allow the state insurance commissioner to reject rate increases, even if facts show they are justified. Commissioner Tim Temple says the bill will make it harder for insurance companies to raise rates and will discourage other companies from coming to Louisiana. Landry testified for over 30 minutes in support of the bill before the House Insurance Committee and said if it didn't pass, he was going to 'bring it back again, again and again.' Carter's bill got out of committee but he apparently didn't have the votes to pass it in the full House and returned it to the calendar twice. So Landry came up with a new plan. Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, introduced an amendment to HB 148 on the House floor on April 30 that was pretty much the original Carter HB 576. And The Advocate reported that Landry 'powered over Republican opponents in the state House' who passed the Glorioso amendment 67-33. The newspaper said it was significant that only 36 Republicans supported the amendment, while 33 opposed it. All 31 Democrats voted in favor of the amendment. The House then passed the amended bill with a 68-34 vote. Rep. Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge, who worked for the insurance department for a decade, said, 'We're sending a message to the industry that we're an unstable place to do business.' The Advocate on May 22 said, 'Gov. Jeff Landry showed who's the boss at the State Capitol when he rammed a car insurance bill through the Senate late Wednesday night over the vehement objections of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and business trade groups.' The Senate passed the bill with a 26-9 vote on May 21. When the bill got back to the House because of Senate changes, the House voted 76-18 to agree to the changes and sent the bill to the governor, who said it would make it harder for insurance companies to raise rates. The newspaper said Allstate and State Farm officials met privately with the governor in opposition to a change that would require insurance companies to reveal rate-setting information that has been secret. The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, which represents 38% of the insurance market in Louisiana, wrote to the governor, saying the added change is so bad it will outweigh any of the measures passed this year and last year that Landry and legislators said would hold down property and car insurance rates. The Insurance Council of Louisiana in a letter said, 'While this bill may come out of good intentions, the likelihood is that it will cause bad outcomes.' The Advocate said Landry turned aside those objections and signed insurance bills Wednesday. He didn't invite Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Gonzales, and a sponsor of one bill, because she voted against HB 148, Landry's 'big, bad bill.' Landry said rates should lower by as much as 10%. The newspaper said there was no doubt about Landry showing his political muscle during the legislative session to get lawmakers to approve the car insurance measures he wanted. But he did get some bad feedback on HB 148. Quin Hillyer, who writes a column for The Advocate, called the new law 'downright abominable,' and added, 'Voters should consider punishing any legislators who approved it — and do likewise to the governor who shoved it down their throats.' Legislators have given Landry much of what he has wanted since he took office and that isn't likely to change. On this questionable auto insurance bill, he had half the Republicans in the Legislature and all of the Democrats on his side. Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or Reply Forward Add reaction
American Press
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- American Press
Jim Beam column:Temple likes three auto bills
Louisiana legislators making auto insurance changes but one bill causing concern.(Image courtesy of Auto insurance reform has been the major issue of the current legislative fiscal session and six bills have taken the spotlight. Two of five House bills have been approved by both chambers. The House has to agree to Senate changes in three of its bills and a Senate bill is awaiting a final House vote. The Advocate said the Senate has passed five bills that affect who can sue and how much they can collect. It added that Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, the insurance industry and their business allies say the legislation would reduce payouts and thus reduce rates. Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, said, 'What just passed out of the Senate, and if passed into law, would be the most comprehensive insurance reform in Louisiana history. These changes are geared toward addressing the unaffordable car insurance crisis in Louisiana.' Only time will tell if that's true and Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, doesn't agree. He has been a spokesman for trial lawyers who are often blamed for high auto insurance costs. Those attorneys are perhaps the biggest losers in the six bills. 'We're just taking away more people's rights, and rates won't go down,' Luneau said. The newspaper said he added that the Senate's rush to approve bills with late changes 'leads to bad legislation.' One of the six bills, House Bill 148, is extremely controversial. It's a favorite of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and a loser as far as Temple is concerned. The legislation would let the insurance commissioner reject insurance premium increases even when they are justified by the facts. Temple said, 'It's a false claim that rates are high because the commissioner doesn't have some magical power. It doesn't address the fundamental problem in Louisiana —bodily injury and legal abuse.' Earlier news reports have said Landry favors HB 148 so he can blame Temple when insurance rates increase. The House has to agree to the Senate changes to the bill. During a recent speech, Landry said a study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shows that Louisiana is an outlier on one key metric: 'Our minor injury claims are double the national average,' he said. The Advocate said Temple has said Louisiana has had twice as many minor injury claims as New York even though that state counts five times as many residents. So the two officials do agree on something. OK, here are the other five bills: HB 431would bar drivers responsible for at least 51% of the accident from receiving a damage award to cover their injuries. Under current law, a driver responsible for 51% of the accident can collect a payment equal to 49% of the overall damage award. The House has to agree to Senate changes on that bill. HB 434 would disallow a driver without car insurance from collecting an award for bodily injury medical expenses for any amount below $100,000, up from $15,000 today. It is awaiting the governor's signature. HB 436 would prohibit undocumented immigrants who are injured in car accidents from collecting general damages. The House has to agree to Senate changes. HB 450 would require someone who sued over injuries in a car accident to show that the injuries actually occurred during the accident. The bill goes to the governor. Senate Bill 231 would allow lawyers for insurance companies to tell jurors how much people injured in wrecks actually pay in medical bills. Under current law, jurors hear the total amount billed, regardless of what the plaintiff paid. The bill has passed the Senate and is in a House committee. The Advocate reported that Temple said House Bills 431 and 450 and SB 231 would 'move the needle forward.' Senate Democrats argued against the bills, saying earlier pro-industry legislation hasn't brought rates down. They also pointed to an April report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that said in 2023 insurance companies in Louisiana had the third highest underwriting profit, the fourth lowest loss ratio and the fifth highest return on net worth. Legislators appear to have made some progress in tackling major reasons for Louisiana's unbelievably high auto insurance rates. However, it may take more time and more legislation than we would like to determine if that's true. Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or Reply Forward Add reaction
Boston Globe
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Protestors station ‘genital observation police' outside N.H. State House restrooms as lawmakers OK bathroom bill
Advertisement To drive their point home, the protestors distributed small cards telling people they would need to allow a GOP lawmaker to inspect their private parts before they could use the restrooms, which are located just a few steps from each legislative chamber. Some passersby scoffed at the demonstration as immature, while others chuckled. Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Brennan, who is affiliated with the 'A lot of these legislators are using this for points,' she said. 'They don't want to talk transgender people. They don't want to understand where they're coming from. They demonize them. And they demonize those of us who support them.' Advertisement Tiffany Blessing-Gagnon, a protestor, distributes "genital inspection" cards outside the second-floor women's restroom at the New Hampshire State House on Thursday. Steven Porter/Globe Staff While opponents of HB 148 say it will place transgender people and others at risk, proponents say they aim to protect women and girls. The legislation would identify certain situations as appropriate for classifying people on the basis of biological sex, rather than gender identity. Those situations include jails and other detention facilities; athletic or sporting events in which males are generally recognized as enjoying a physical advantage; locker rooms and multi-person bathrooms. The legislation would allow, but not require, public and private entities statewide to separate such facilities and events by sex rather than gender. Kamren Munz, a trans nonbinary person who has been using the men's room for the past five years, said they have faced restroom-related discrimination, including being told to leave a facility based on perceptions of their gender, and HB 148 would make matters worse. 'It's encouraging the general public to basically ask very invasive questions,' they said. Munz — a former public school teacher who Despite the protest, HB 148 was approved in a party-line vote later Thursday by the Republicans who hold a supermajority in the 24-member New Hampshire Senate. The measure had already passed the 400-member House in March with approval from 198 Republicans, two Democrats, and one independent. Advertisement During debate, Republican Senator William M. Gannon said his support for the legislation was based partly on his daughter's experience competing on an athletic field against a transgender opponent who was much taller and stronger than her. Gannon also said single-sex detention facilities are important for the safety of those detained. Republican Senator Regina M. Birdsell said lawmakers need to protect privacy and the fairness of athletic competition for women and girls, who face blowback if they speak out about their discomfort when transgender people are allowed in single-sex spaces. 'Women are being marginalized in this environment,' she said, 'and as far as I'm concerned, this has to stop.' In a This legislation is very similar to a bill that Republican former governor Christopher T. Sununu Sununu had signed legislation in 2018 and 2019 to add gender identity to the state's nondiscrimination law and apply those protections to school settings. He said some of the carve-outs that lawmakers wanted to add in 2024 tried 'to solve problems that have not presented themselves in New Hampshire.' The legislation would invite 'unnecessary discord,' he said. Advertisement It's not yet clear whether Republican Governor Kelly A. Ayotte, who took office in January, will sign HB 148 into law. Steven Porter can be reached at
American Press
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- American Press
Jim Beam column:Landry loves political power
Louisiana's Republican Gov. Jeff Landry has never met a political power that he doesn't like. This time it's an auto insurance situation.(Photo courtesy of The Louisiana Illuminator). Louisiana's Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who in the last year has been given more power and authority than any governor since the late-Huey P. Long nearly a century ago, said he doesn't understand why the state's insurance commissioner refuses to accept more power. Landry made that statement during an April 16 House Insurance Committee meeting on House Bill 576 by Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite, that would give the insurance commissioner greater freedom to reject excessive auto insurance rates. 'The last time I checked,' Landry said, 'I've yet to find a politician not willing and eager to accept more power.' Commissioner Tim Temple also testified at that hearing that under current law he can suppress rates for practical reasons, primarily if the rates are actuarily justified. He said Carter's bill would return to the days when the state had an insurance rating commission that often set rates for political reasons. Temple said three successive insurance commissioners elected in the 1980s and 1990s went to prison after facing accusations of accepting illegal favors from insurance companies. The commissioner and others have said it's obvious that Landry wants to put greater responsibility on the commissioner so he can blame Temple if car insurance rates keep rising. Landry insists the Legislature has passed laws to lower rates but premiums keep rising and insurance companies are making unbelievable profits. He was extremely emotional during that hearing. The governor said if lawmakers didn't pass Carter's bill, he would bring them back in a special session to get it done. Carter's bill cleared that committee with a 13-4-1 vote and was scheduled for full House debate on April 28. However, Carter put off a vote twice, apparently because he lacked the support the legislation needed. Landry proved on April 30 that he wanted that Carter bill passed and that he would do whatever it took to make it happen. The Advocate reported that the governor got Rep. Jeff Wiley, R-Gonzales, to allow Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, to allow an amendment to one of his bills (HB 148) that was actually the Carter bill that Carter couldn't get passed in the House. The newspaper said Landry 'powered over Republican opponents in the state House' and the amendment was approved 67-33. Only 36 Republicans supported it, while 33 opposed it. All 31 Democrats voted for the amendment. The bill passed the House 68-34 and went to the Senate. To their credit, Republican Reps. Brett Geymann of Moss Bluff, Chuck Owen of Rosepine, Rodney Schamerhorn of Hornbeck and Phillip Tarver of Lake Charles were four of the 33 who opposed the amendment. Rep. Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge, who worked for the Insurance Department for a decade, explained why passage of the bill was a terrible idea. 'We're sending a message to the industry that we're an unstable place to do business,' Davis said. Rolfe McCollister, author and CEO of the Baton Rouge Business Report, isn't buying Landry's 'balanced approach' between insurance companies and trial lawyers on auto insurance. McCollister said in a column that he remembered Landry's veto of a critical auto insurance bill last year 'when you had a chance to do the right thing. This is a matter of who the people will trust …' The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on June 18, 2024, said Landry's veto of that bill that held promise in lowering rates was a major disappointment. It said the legislation 'was a compromise bill that helped bring fairness, predictability and transparency to our legal system.' LABI added, 'The governor's signature would have sent a resounding message to insurance carriers throughout the state and the country that Louisiana is indeed open for business as we work to fix our unstable insurance market.' Landry's veto last year took the steam out of insurance reform that could have been more successful. And he's been ranting and raving about passing the Carter bill since it was introduced. Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, chair of the House Insurance Committee, and a strong Landry supporter, told The Advocate in an interview how dangerous the Carter bill is. 'I think this bill has the potential to completely nullify all the good bills we may pass and the potential to negate all the property reforms we made last year,' Firment said. 'It will send a chilling effect to the entire market. It could be catastrophic for our insurance market.' Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or Reply Forward Add reaction
Boston Globe
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Anti-trans ‘bathroom bill', ‘parental rights bill' advance in N.H.
It comes as the Trump administration has pushed to exclude Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Representative Alice Wade, a Dover Democrat and transgender woman, made an impassioned plea on the House floor ahead of the vote, beseeching the New Hampshire House to kill the bill. She said itwould bring back discrimination in the Granite State, marking transgender people as a threat to public safety and privacy. Advertisement 'Don't do this,' she said. 'Do not make New Hampshire a state where people like me… are told we don't belong.' The same If the bill reaches now Governor Kelly Ayotte's desk, it will be the first test of whether she supports allowing such restrictions on transgender people in certain spaces. The political debate has shifted in the last year, as even some Democrats grappling with electoral losses in 2024 have begun questioning if their support for transgender individuals is out of step with the electorate. Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts Advertisement Representative Jonah Wheeler, a Peterborough Democrat, is among them. When he spoke in support of HB 148 on Thursday, some of his Democratic colleagues walked out in protest of his remarks. Wheeler framed it as an issue of consent. 'The consent of one person cannot stand for the consent of another person,' he said. 'If there are women who feel unsafe, if there are women who feel their space has become not private, then we should listen to those women.' He said he's heard from liberal-leaning voters in his district, including some who he said have left the Democratic party because they felt unheard on the issue. 'The orthodoxy of the Democratic Party on this issue has left us to where we can't have nuanced discussions,' he said. In addition to Wheeler Democratic Representative Peter R. Leishman of Peterborough joined Republicans in passing HB 148 in a 201 to 166 vote. Both the House and the Senate advanced their own versions of a Republican priority this year: a so-called parental bill of rights. Ayotte has asked lawmakers to send her this legislation, which has become a focus of conservatives nationally, over concerns teachers are usurping parents and even indoctrinating children on issues of race and gender. The Advertisement It also lists as a right that parents 'immediately receive accurate, truthful, and complete disclosure regarding any and all matters related to their minor child' from school staff. The proposal has raised concerns about the forcible outing of children to their parents, and House Democrats Thursday raised objections that the bill contains insufficient guardrails for abusive parents seeking information about their children. It passed the House in a 212 to 161 vote. Five Democrats crossed party lines to support the Republican-backed proposal, while two Republicans voted against it. The Senate's version of the legislation lists many of the same parental rights around a child's upbringing and education, and it allows parents to sue if they believe there has been a violation. It passed the Senate in a 15 to 8 vote along party lines. The House proposals must pass the Senate before they could head to Ayotte's desk, while the Senate bill would have to undergo a similar process in the House. Amanda Gokee can be reached at
