Louisiana Senate adopts condolence and commemorative resolutions, advances many bills to third reading

The Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana met in session where members adopted a concurrent resolution expressing condolences on the death of Dr. Norman Christopher Francis and moved a slate of bills forward for further consideration.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 10, offered by Senator DuPlessis, was adopted by a recorded machine vote of 28 yeas and 0 nays, the clerk announced, and the floor opened for coauthors (16 coauthors were recorded). "This is a condolence for Dr. Norman Francis," the clerk said while opening the coauthor roll. The chamber also concurred in House Concurrent Resolutions honoring Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame induction (HCR 8) and expressing condolences on the death of Charles James "Charlie" Kirk (HCR 9); both concurred by machine vote (23 ayes, 0 nays). The Senate agreed to HCR 12 recognizing the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association's 100th anniversary (24 yeas, 0 nays).

The clerk reported a long list of committee actions across several policy areas. Committee chairs delivered favorable reports or reported bills with amendments from committees including Commerce, Health and Welfare, Insurance, Local and Municipal Affairs, Natural Resources, Senate and Governmental Affairs, and Transportation. Dozens of bills were ordered engrossed and passed to third reading, and several items were recommitted to the Committee on Finance under chamber rules. Notable subject areas in the reported bills included public retirement systems (Title 11 changes), alleged criminal conduct between educators and students (Title 14 amendments), homestead-exemption registration (Title 47 changes), procurement for information-technology cooperative purchasing (Title 39), and public-safety offenses.

A senator invoked personal privilege to recognize "Funeral Directors Day at the State Capitol," thanking funeral-service professionals "for their role in safeguarding public health" and asking members to welcome visiting funeral directors. Senator Wheat introduced a visiting student, identified as the Natchez City of Lights Queen 2026 and an English education major at Southeastern Louisiana University; the senator described the student's platform, DREAM (Dance, Rhythm, Expression, Acting, and Music).

Senators used the floor for routine scheduling announcements: committee meetings were set for Monday, March 16 (Finance at 9:30 a.m.; Retirement at 2 p.m.; Revenue and Fiscal Affairs at 1 p.m.), members were reminded about an electronic IAB ballot due March 5 at 5 p.m., and mandatory ethics training was scheduled in the Hankel Room at 3 p.m. The presiding officer closed with brief reminders for members and a caution to "be careful driving home."