This Week in Louisiana Politics: Insurance reform, immigration bills, SNAP benefits

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — On This Week in Louisiana Politics, lawmakers focus on lowering insurance costs, debating proposed immigration legislation and discussing changes to SNAP benefits.

Here’s a recap of the latest in Louisiana political news.

Lawmakers continue to discuss insurance reform

HB 330, authored by Rep. Edmond Jordan, would establish an income tax credit for annual homeowners’ insurance premiums. Homeowners who pay over $3,000 a year in insurance premiums would qualify for the tax break.

Bill aims to criminalize blocking immigration enforcement efforts

Sen. John “Jay” Morris III wrote SB 15, which would make it a crime to interfere with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts.

The bill would also modify the obstruction of justice offense, which, according to present law, targets acts such as tampering with evidence or interfering with criminal proceedings. SB15 would add an act stating that any action done with the intent to hinder immigration enforcement qualifies as obstruction of justice.

Lawmakers’ attempts to require a citizenship check for public benefits

Another bill related to immigration would require the state to communicate with ICE when someone is reaching out for public services, including food stamps and housing assistance. If the applicant is not a citizen, it would be a requirement that they be reported to ICE.

Banning SNAP benefits from buying junk food

Sen. Patrick McMath wants the Department of Children and Family Services to remove junk food from the SNAP eligibility list.

Gov. Landry also filed an executive order to expedite the passing of McMath’s proposed bill.

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