(The Center Square) — With the regular session approaching, Louisiana legislators have prefiled six bills addressing a range of policy changes, from water fluoridation to retirement benefits and criminal penalties.
Water Fluoridation Repeal
Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senators Mike Fesi, R-Beauregard, and Patrick McMath, R-St. Tammany, seeks to repeal the Louisiana Department of Health’s water fluoridation program. Current law mandates fluoridation for public water systems with at least 5,000 connections, but the proposed legislation would eliminate that requirement.
Firefighters’ Retirement System Adjustments
House Bill 7, introduced by Rep. Jason DeWitt, R-Rapides, aims to repeal a restriction that prevents the Firefighters’ Retirement System from using certain funds to pay for cost of- living adjustments. The bill would allow funds deposited in the system’s funding account to be used for COLAs.
Stricter Penalties for Soliciting Prostitution
Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Bossier, has proposed HB 5, which would increase penalties for repeat offenders convicted of soliciting prostitution. Under the bill, a second or subsequent offense would result in hard labor and classification as a sex offender.
Criminalizing Misuse of Utility Payments
Jackson also introduced HB 6, creating a new crime for misappropriating funds intended for utility payments. Violators could face up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to $100,000, and mandatory restitution. The offense would also be classified as an element of racketeering activity.
Local Control Over Carbon Injection Wells
HB 4, sponsored by Reps. Charles Owen, R-Vernon, Beryl Amedee, R-Assumption, Dodie Horton, R-Bossier, and Rodney Schamerhor, R-Sabine, would allow individual parishes to determine whether Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells can be permitted within their jurisdiction. Local governing authorities could make the decision or hold a parish-wide election if enough voters sign a petition.
Easier Purchase of Public Service Credit
SB 1, filed by Sen. Ed Price, D-West Baton Rouge, proposes reducing the amount of service time required for public employees to purchase service credit from 10 years to just six months, making it easier for certain employees to buy into the system.