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20162016

Letter from the Chairman

ACU & ACUF Board Members

Selecting the Votes

2016 Winners & Losers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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LA Senate Vote Descriptions

LA Senate Scores

LA House Vote Descriptions

LA House Scores

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RATINGS of LOUISIANARATINGS of LOUISIANA

ACUConservative Conservative.org@ACUConservative

#ACURatings

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2016 Ratings of Louisiana

Dear Fellow Conservatives,

We are pleased to present the American Conservative Union Foundation’s ratings for the 2016 meeting of the Louisiana State Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, our State Ratings reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual's life. The Louisiana legislators with the highest scores voted most consistently with the ideals articulated in the U.S. Constitution: limited and transparent government, individual rights, personal responsibility, and lasting cultural values.

In 2015, ACU Foundation was proud to make history by being the first organization to rate every single state legislature across the full spectrum of issues, helping each voter understand how his or her state ranks among the rest.

Ultimately, we are trying to help people understand what conservatism is and how it improves the lives of everyday Americans. Conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person. We think that understanding this idea is essential if Americans are to successfully govern themselves again.

Working with our policy centers and fellows, the ACU Foundation engages in deep policy analysis to help create our annual state scorecards. We have enhanced the vote descriptions this year to show this effort more clearly.

By examining all 50 of our State Ratings, we can see which states have most effectively promoted conservative solutions and which have struggled. Our ratings also help identify legislators who have courageously fought against liberal majorities. We hope that this guide helps you learn how well, or poorly, your legislators work to preserve the values we share.

Sincerely,

Matt SchlappChairmanAmerican Conservative Union

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

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SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Loui-siana State Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Louisiana’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

1331 H Street NW, Suite 500Washington, DC 20005(202) 347-9388

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman

Carolyn D. Meadows Second Vice Chairman

Bob Beauprez Treasuer

Amy Frederick Secretary

Thomas Winter Executive Committee Member

Larry Beasley

Kimberly Bellissimo

Morton C. Blackwell

John Bolton

Jose Cardenas

Ron Christie

Muriel Coleman

Kellyanne Conway

Tom DeLay

Becky Norton Dunlop

John Eddy

Luis Fortuno

Alan M. Gotleib

Van D. Hipp, Jr.

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser

James V. Lacy

Michael R. Long

Ed McFadden

Grover G. Norquist

Ron Robinson

Mike Rose

Ned Ryun

Peter Samuelson

Sabrina Schaeffer

Fred L. Smith, Jr.

Matt Smith

Ed Yevoli

ACU BOARD MEMBERS

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chairman

Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Amy Frederick Secretary

Kimberly Bellissimo

Jose Cardenas

Jonathan Garthwaite

Charlie Gerow

Colin Hanna

Niger Innes

Willes Lee

Carolyn D. Meadows

Randy Neugebauer

Thomas Winter

ACU FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

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2016 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

n/a

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

MIGUEZ

SENATE

n/a

HOUSE

DeVILLIEREMERSONHODGESSEABAUGH

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

SENATE

n/a

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

n/a

<=

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1. HB 39 (1st Special Session) Rental Car Tax. This bill reinstates an additional 3% tax on rental cars that expired in 2012. 2.5% of the tax goes to the state and .5% is distributed to local government and earmarked for arts subsidies and local “Councils on Aging.” ACU opposes permanent, anti-growth tax increases to cover a temporary budget shortfall, believes providing subsidies for local arts organizations is not a proper function of government, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 3, 2016 by a vote of 33-5.

2. HB 14 (1st Special Session) Tax Increase. This bill, one of a series of tax and fee increases, raises the cigarette tax by 25% to $1.08 per pack. ACU opposes permanent tax increases to cover a temporary budget shortfall and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 5, 2016 by a vote of 33-2.

3. HB 27 (1st Special Session) Alcoholic Beverage Tax Increase. This bill substantially increases excise taxes on wine, beer, and liquor to help cover a budget shortfall. ACU opposes permanent tax increases to deal with a temporary budget deficit and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 8, 2016 by a vote of 38-0.

4. HB 19 (1st Special Session) Franchise Tax Expansion. This bill, one of a series of tax and fee increases, extends the Corporate Franchise Tax to cover any entity that owns property in the state, including partnerships and joint ventures and raises the initial franchise tax from $10 to $110. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes permanent, anti-growth tax increases to cover a temporary budget shortfall and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 9, 2016 by a vote of 26-9.

5. HB 62 (1st Special Session) Sales Tax Increase. This bill increases the state sales tax by adding 1% to the current 4% sales tax. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes permanent tax increases to cover a temporary revenue shortfall, opposes arbitrary exemptions that increase the tax burden on others, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 9, 2016 by a vote of 33-5.

6. SB 25 Frequency of Tax Increases. This constitutional amendment would repeal the limitation on levying new tax increases to odd numbered years and allow them to occur each year. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports limiting tax increases to those years in which elected officials are accountable to the taxpayers, and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the amendment on April 4, 2016 by a vote of 11-24.

7. SB 336 Property Repair Mandate. This bill requires anyone who owns more than one property to hire a licensed contractor to make the repairs if the cost is over $7,500. The bill also increases the licensing requirements for contractors and lowers from $75,000 to $7,500 the threshold for construction-performed work without a license. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the right of property owners to make repairs as they see fit, opposes licensing requirements that are primarily designed to reduce competition, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the Senate on April 6, 2016 by a vote of 32-3.

8. SB 112 Blow Dryer Technician License. This bill requires anyone who performs blow drying hair services to obtain a state license. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of license requirements, which are primarily designed to reduce competition, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 11, 2016 by a vote of 32-5.

9. SB 187 Nurse Practitioner Regulations. This bill repeals a state mandate that requires nurse practitioners to have formal written agreements with physicians or dentists in order to care for patients. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports common sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 11, 2016 by a vote of 22-14.

10. SB 254 Employee Pay Mandate. This bill requires that men and women employees, private or government, shall be compensated equally for “the same” work, even if an employee agrees to work at a rate of compensation that is less than that of other workers. ACU opposes these government mandates that set vague standards for compliance and interfere with the right of employees to negotiate their compensation, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 12, 2016 by a vote of 28-10.

11. SB 3 Pension Reform. This bill changes the method used to determine pension benefits for firefighters by using the average of the highest-paid months of employment over 5 years rather than 3 years. ACU supports reforms to prevent the “spiking” of salaries to create an artificially high salary average, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 13, 2016 by a vote of 21-15.

LOUISIANA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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12. SB 29 Sale of Raw Milk. This bill allows farmers to sell raw milk if they obtain a permit and follow label requirements. ACU supports the right of consumers to purchase raw milk if they so desire and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 18, 2016 by a vote of 23-12.

13. SB 260 Charter School Regulations. This bill makes it easier for local school boards to stop the expansion of charter schools by giving local school boards and the State Board of Education the sole authority to approve new charter schools. The bill also eliminates one of the seven types of charter schools in the state. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 27, 2016 by a vote of 34-2.

14. HB 386 Abortion Waiting Period. This bill extends the current waiting period for obtaining an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues, believes abortion is a human tragedy, and supports restrictions on the practice. ACU supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 3, 2016 by a vote of 34-4.

15. SB 141 Criminal Trespass. This bill makes it unlawful for a person to operate an unmanned aircraft, such as a drone, over the air space of another person’s private property with the intent to conduct surveillance. ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights engages heavily on this issue and supports strengthening property rights. ACU supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 3, 2016 by a vote of 36-0.

16. SB 399 Motor Carrier Regulations. This bill exempts motor carriers of nonhazardous oil field waste, nonhazardous industrial solid waste, and hazardous waste from the elaborate requirements of obtaining a “certificate of public convenience and necessity” from the Public Service Commission. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform that reduces the cost of business, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 4, 2016 by a vote of 28-5.

17. HB 570 Telehealth Regulations. This bill removes the requirement that a telehealth company have a physical presence in the state and conduct a physical examination before treating patients via telehealth. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports regulatory reform that helps keep down the cost of healthcare and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 10, 2016 by a vote of 36-1.

18. SB 408 Charter Schools. This bill allows a charter school to submit its application to the state board of education if rejected by a local school board or if severe restrictions are placed on approval. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 12, 2016 by a vote of 24-11.

19. HB 1081 Dismemberment Abortions. This bill bans dismemberment abortions unless performed to prevent a serious health risk to the mother. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues, believes abortion is a human tragedy, and supports restrictions on the practice. ACU supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 17, 2016 by a vote of 36-2.

20. HB 606 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill prohibits the state from contracting with or funding any entity that performs abortions, such as Planned Parenthood. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues, believes abortion is a human tragedy, and supports restrictions on the practice. ACU supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 23, 2016 by a vote of 33-2.

21. HB 667 Wine Shipment Regulations. This bill removes the ban on wineries shipping their product directly to consumers as long as the wine has not been assigned to a Louisiana wholesaler. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 25, 2016 by a vote of 30-6.

22. SB 291 Medical Regulations. This bill allows a physical therapist who has a doctorate in physical therapy and five years of licensed experience to treat a patient without a doctor’s referral or prescription. ACU supports this measure as a way to reduce medical costs and lessen the government’s interference in healthcare, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 30, 2016 by a vote of 33-2.

23. HB 766 Sustainable Energy Financing Districts. This bill eliminates a program that allowed local parishes to incur debt to make loans based upon “sustainable energy” principles. ACU opposes such programs, which have made it more difficult for homeowners to obtain mortgages and which interfere with the real estate market, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 31, 2016 by a vote of 30-6.

24. HB 614 Remote Electronic Ballots. This bill allows a registrar to transmit a ballot electronically if a person waives the right to a secret ballot and also claims he or she is unable to vote absentee by mail because of a disability. ACU opposes laws that weaken ballot integrity and make it easier to commit voter fraud, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 2, 2016 by a vote of 22-15.

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25. SB 476 Insurance Mandates. This bill requires insurance companies to include coverage for certain joint, muscle, and neurological conditions. ACU opposes such mandates, which drive up the cost of insurance for everyone, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 3, 2016 by a vote of 37-0.

26. HB 498 Moratorium on Pediatric Day Health Facilities. This bill requires the Department of Health and Hospitals to implement a moratorium on additional licenses for pediatric day healthcare facilities. An exception is provided for facilities that certify they will accept no payment for services that are funded wholly or in part by state funds including Medicaid. ACU believes government should not decide how many health facilities should exist and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 5, 2016 by a vote of 24-14.

27. HB 35 (2nd Special Session) HMO Tax Increase. This bill increases the premium taxes on Health Maintenance Organizations from 2.25% to 5.5%. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes such permanent tax increases, which are implemented to cover a temporary revenue shortfall but will drive up the cost of healthcare, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 16, 2016 by a vote of 35-1.

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LOUISIANA SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

HB 39 (1st Special Session) Rental

HB 14 (1st Special Session)




SB 25

SB 336

SB 112

SB 187

SB 254

SB 3

SB 29

SB 260

HB 386

SB 141

SB 399

HB 570

SB 408

HB 1081

HB 606

HB 667

SB 291

HB 766

HB 614

SB 476

HB 498

HB 35 (2nd Special Session) ACU VotesVotes Cast

2016 %

2015 %

LIFETIME AVG

ALARIO R 8 - - - - - + - - - + + + - + + + + X + + + + + - - - - 13 27 48% 33% 42%

ALLAIN R 21 - - - - - - - - - + + - - + + + + + + + + + - + - - - 12 28 43% 38% 50%

APPEL R 9 + - - + + + - - - + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - - 18 28 64% 47% 50%

Barrow D 15 - - - - - - - - + - X - X + + X + - + + + + + X - + - 10 24 42% 53% 37%

Bishop D 4 - X - - - X - - X - - + - + X + + - + - + X - - X + - 7 22 32% 31% 31%

Boudreaux D 24 - - - - - - - X X - + + - + + + + - + + + + + - - + - 12 26 46% n/a 46%

Brown D 2 - - - - - X X - + - - - - - X + + - + - + + + - X + - 8 24 33% 35% 43%

Carter D 7 - X - - - - - - + - + - - + + + + - - + + X - X - + - 9 25 36% n/a 36%

CHABERT R 20 - - - - - + + - + + + + - + X - + X + + + + + - - + X 14 25 56% 35% 50%

CLAITOR R 16 + - - - - - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - - - 14 28 50% 41% 47%

CORTEZ R 23 - - - - - + - - + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - - 15 28 54% 50% 61%

DONAHUE† R 11 + - - + - X - X X X + X - X + X + + + X X + X + - X - 9 17 n/a 47% 59%

Dorsey-Colomb D 14 - - - X - - - - + - - X - - + + + - + + + + + - - + - 10 26 38% 29% 31%

LOUISIANA SENATE SCORESLOUISIANA SENATE STATISTICS

SPARKS 38%

47%OVERALL AVERAGE

SMITH, G. 56%HIGHEST DEMOCRATLOWEST REPUBLICAN

51%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

40%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

JOHNS 32%

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LOUISIANA SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

HB 39 (1st Special Session) Rental





SB 25

SB 336

SB 112

SB 187

SB 254

SB 3

SB 29

SB 260

HB 386

SB 141

SB 399

HB 570

SB 408

HB 1081

HB 606

HB 667

SB 291

HB 766

HB 614

SB 476

HB 498

HB 35 (2nd Special Session) ACU VotesVotes Cast

2016 %

2015 %

LIFETIME AVG

ERDEY R 13 - - - - - + - - + - X - - + + - + + + + + - + + - - - 11 27 41% 71% 55%

FANNIN R 35 - - - - + + - + - + + + - + + + + + + + - + + + - - - 16 28 57% 53% 61%

GATTI R 36 - - - - - + - - + - - + X + + + + + + + + + + + - + - 15 27 56% n/a 56%

HEWITT R 1 - - - + - + - - + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + - - - - 15 28 54% n/a 54%

JOHNS R 27 - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + + + + + - - - - 9 28 32% 38% 38%

LaFleur D 28 X X X X - X - - - - + + - + + X X X + + + + + - - - - 9 20 45% 53% 53%

LAMBERT R 18 - - - - - + - - + - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + - - X 13 27 48% 69% 64%

LONG R 31 - - - - - + - - + + + - - + + + + - + + - + X - - - X 11 26 42% 41% 46%

Luneau D 29 - - - - - + X - + - - + - + + + + + + X + + + - - + - 13 26 50% n/a 50%

MARTINY R 10 - - - X - + - - - - + X - + + + + + + + + + - - - - - 11 26 42% 41% 40%

Milkovich D 38 - - - - - + + - + - - + - + + + - + + + - + X + - + - 13 27 48% n/a 48%

MILLS R 22 - - - - - - - - + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + - - - - 13 28 46% 41% 47%

MIZELL R 12 + - - + + + - + - - + + + + + + X + + + - + + + - - - 17 27 63% n/a 63%

Morrell D 3 - - - - - - X - + - - + - - + X + - X X + X - - - + - 6 23 26% 33% 35%

MORRISH R 25 - - - - - + - - + - - + - + + + + - + + X + + - - - - 11 27 41% 35% 44%

PEACOCK R 37 - - - + - + - - - + + - - + + - + + + + - + + - - - - 12 28 43% 50% 52%

PERRY R 26 - - - + + - - - + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - - 16 28 57% 59% 60%

Peterson D 5 - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + X + X - X X + - - - - - 4 24 17% 29% 22%

RISER R 32 + + - + + + - + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 22 28 79% 63% 64%

Smith, G. D 19 - - - + - + - - + - - + X + + + + + + + + + + - - + - 15 27 56% 56% 52%

SMITH, J. R 30 - + - X - + + - - + + + - + + X + + + + - + + - - - - 14 26 54% 63% 57%

Tarver D 39 - X - - X - - - + - - + - + + + + - + + + + + - - - - 11 26 42% 31% 43%

Thompson D 34 - - - - - + X - - - + - - + + + + + + + + X + - - - - 11 26 42% 38% 45%

WALSWORTH R 33 - - - + - + - + - + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - - 17 28 61% 59% 57%

WARD R 17 - - - - - + - - + - - X - + + - + + + + + + + - - + - 12 27 44% 50% 50%

WHITE R 6 - - - - - + - + - - X - - + + + + + + + + + + + - - - 13 27 48% 53% 52%

† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2016 percentage was not rated.

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1. HB 14 (1st Special Session) Tax Increase. This bill, one of a series of tax and fee increases, raises the cigarette tax by 25% to $1.08 per pack. ACU opposes permanent tax increases to cover a temporary budget shortfall and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 3, 2016 by a vote of 74-26.

2. HB 39 (1st Special Session) Rental Car Tax. This bill reinstates an additional 3% tax on rental cars that expired in 2012. 2.5% of the tax goes to the state and .5% is distributed to local government and earmarked for arts subsidies and local “Councils on Aging.” ACU opposes permanent, anti-growth tax increases to cover a temporary budget shortfall, believes providing subsidies for local arts organizations is not a proper function of government, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 8, 2016 by a vote of 79-13.

3. HB 19 (1st Special Session) Franchise Tax Expansion. This bill, one of a series of tax and fee increases, extends the Corporate Franchise Tax to cover any entity that owns property in the state, including partnerships and joint ventures, and raises the initial franchise tax from $10 to $110. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes permanent, anti-growth tax increases to cover a temporary budget shortfall and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 9, 2016 by a vote of 74-24.

4. HB 27 (1st Special Session) Alcoholic Beverage Tax Increase. This bill substantially increases excise taxes on wine, beer, and liquor to help cover a budget shortfall. ACU opposes permanent tax increases to deal with a temporary budget deficit and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 9, 2016 by a vote of 72-23.

5. HB 62 (1st Special Session) Sales Tax Increase. This bill increases the state sales tax by adding 1% to the current 4% sales tax. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes permanent tax increases to cover a temporary revenue shortfall, opposes arbitrary exemptions that increase the tax burden on others, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 9, 2016 by a vote of 86-17.

6. HB 580 Tort Reform for Real Estate Appraisers. This bill limits the amount of time that can elapse before a real estate appraiser can be sued to one year for an error or omission, or within one year of the discovery of the error or omission, but no more than three years after the error or omission occurred. ACU supports reasonable tort reform, and supported this bill. The House defeated the bill on April 5, 2016 by a vote of 45-47.

7. HB 386 Abortion Waiting Period. This bill extends the current waiting period for obtaining an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues, believes abortion is a human tragedy, and supports restrictions on the practice. ACU supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 6, 2016 by a vote of 89-5.

8. HB 594 Food Stamp Regulation. This bill requires legislative approval before the state can waive work requirements when considering to provide food stamps for able-bodied childless adults. The bill also terminates any current waiver of work requirements for these recipients. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients’ employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports reasonable requirements for able-bodied adults receiving welfare and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 14, 2016 by a vote of 55-29.

9. HB 766 Sustainable Energy Financing Districts. This bill eliminates a program that allowed local parishes to incur debt to make loans based upon “sustainable energy” principles. ACU opposes such programs, which have made it more difficult for homeowners to obtain mortgages and which interfere with the real estate market, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 18, 2016 by a vote of 84-4.

10. HB 597 Pastor Protection Act. This bill provides that a legally-recognized church or its employee may not be required to solemnize a marriage or provide access to facilities, goods, or services if the action would be contrary to church doctrine or violate the religious beliefs of the church or church employee. ACU supports the protection of the constitutionally-guaranteed right to practice religion, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 19, 2016 by a vote of 80-18.

11. HB 337 Motorcycle Helmets. This bill amends current law to require individuals under 21 years old to wear a helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle. ACU supports the rights of motorcycle drivers to decide whether to use a helmet and supported this bill. The House defeated the bill on April 20, 2016 by a vote of 49-46 (53 votes were required).

12. HB 570 Telehealth Regulations. This bill removes the requirement that a telehealth company must have a physical presence in the state and conduct a physical examination before treating patients via telehealth. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports regulatory reform that helps keep down the cost of healthcare and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 20, 2016 by a vote of 91-0.

LOUISIANA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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13. HB 606 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill prohibits the state from contracting with or funding any entity that performs abortions, such as Planned Parenthood. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues, believes abortion is a human tragedy, and supports restrictions on the practice. ACU supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 27, 2016 by a vote of 84-8.

14. HB 1081 Dismemberment Abortions. This bill bans dismemberment abortions unless performed to prevent a serious health risk to the mother. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues, believes abortion is a human tragedy, and supports restrictions on the practice. ACU supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 28, 2016 by a vote of 83-0.

15. HB 74 Spending Reduction. This bill reduces the funding for state professional and personal consulting contracts by 15%, a savings of $183 million. ACU supports balancing the budget through reductions of unnecessary spending and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 3, 2016 by a vote of 83-6.

16. HB 1148 Sanctuary Cities. This bill prohibits local political subdivisions from adopting sanctuary city policies. It also authorizes the attorney general to withhold bonds and loans for construction projects until the local jurisdiction withdraws its sanctuary city policies. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2016 by a vote of 69-26.

17. HB 453 Sanctuary Cities. This bill allows legal action to be taken against a local government that has declared itself to be a sanctuary city by victims of crimes committed by an illegal immigrant in that city. It also allows those individuals to receive compensation for damages, attorney fees, and costs. ACU supports the enforcement of our federal immigration laws and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2016 by a vote of 65-20.

18. HB 498 Moratorium on Pediatric Day Health Facilities. This bill requires the Department of Health and Hospitals to implement a moratorium on additional licenses for pediatric day healthcare facilities. An exception is provided for facilities that certify they will accept no payment for services that are funded wholly or in part by state funds including Medicaid. ACU believes government should not decide how many health facilities should exist and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 11, 2016 by a vote of 85-0.

19. HB 950 Refundable State Rebates. This bill restores a refundable state rebate program for businesses that receive a federal Small Business Innovation Research grant. The rebate was made non-refundable in 2015. ACU opposes such fiscally irresponsible state handouts, especially when taxes have been increased to pay for a budget shortfall, and opposed this bill. The House defeated the bill on May 23, 2016 by a vote of 38-54.

20. HB 298 Government Transparency. This bill requires the state treasurer to establish a website – the “Louisiana Checkbook” reachable at www.latrac.la.gov – that will include a searchable database of all state expenditures by agency. The database will include the name of the vendor and the amount of the expenditure. ACU supports government transparency and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 25, 2016 by a vote of 67-29.

21. SB 291 Medical Regulations. This bill allows a physical therapist who has a doctorate in physical therapy and five years of licensed experience to treat a patient without a doctor’s referral or prescription. ACU supports this measure as a way to reduce medical costs and lessen the government’s interference in healthcare, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 25, 2016 by a vote of 65-33.

22. SB 260 Charter School Regulations. This bill makes it easier for local school boards to stop the expansion of charter schools by giving local school boards and the State Board of Education the sole authority to approve new charter schools. The bill also eliminates one of the seven types of charter schools in the state. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 26, 2016 by a vote of 77-12.

23. SB 112 Blow Dryer Technician License. This bill requires anyone who performs blow drying hair services to obtain a state license. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of license requirements, which are primarily designed to reduce competition, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on June 1, 2016 by a vote of 97-3.

24. HB 614 Remote Electronic Ballots. This bill allows a registrar to transmit a ballot electronically if a person waives the right to a secret ballot and also claims he or she is unable to vote absentee by mail because of a disability. ACU opposes laws that weaken ballot integrity and make it easier to commit voter fraud, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on June 1, 2016 by a vote of 67-33.

25. SB 141 Criminal Trespass. This bill makes it unlawful for a person to operate an unmanned aircraft, such as a drone, over the air space of another person’s private property with the intent to conduct surveillance. ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights engages heavily on this issue and supports strengthening property rights. ACU supported this bill. The House passed the bill on June 2, 2016 by a vote of 92-2.

12


26. HB 667 Wine Shipment Regulations. This bill removes the ban on wineries shipping their product directly to consumers as long as the wine has not been assigned to a Louisiana wholesaler. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on June 2, 2016 by a vote of 87-4.

27. SB 476 Insurance Mandates. This bill requires insurance companies to include coverage for certain joint, muscle, and neurological conditions. ACU opposes such mandates, which drive up the cost of insurance for everyone, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on June 3, 2016 by a vote of 75-20.

28. HB 35 (2nd Special Session) HMO Tax Increase. This bill increases the premium taxes on Health Maintenance Organizations from 2.25% to 5.5%. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes such permanent tax increases, which are implemented to cover a temporary revenue shortfall but will drive up the cost of healthcare, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on June 9, 2016 by a vote of 83-13.

29. HB 38 (2nd Special Session) Limiting Tax Deductions. This bill “temporarily” reduces the amount of federal itemized tax deductions that can be claimed on the state tax return for the years 2016 and 2017. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes such so-called “temporary” tax increases, which are rarely allowed to expire, and opposed this bill. The House defeated the bill on June 19, 2016 by a vote of 47-55.

30. HB 69 Jones Amendment (2nd Special session) Sports Teams Subsidy. The Jones amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill reduces taxpayer subsidies to the New Orleans Saints and the Pelicans sports teams by 5%. ACU opposes taxpayer subsidies to multi-billion dollar sports corporations and supported this amendment. The House passed the amendment on June 20, 2016 by a vote of 69-28.

13


LOUISIANA HOUSE SCORESLOUISIANA HOUSE STATISTICS

LOUISIANA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party District






HB 580

HB 386

HB 594

HB 766

HB 597

HB 337

HB 570

HB 606

HB 1081

HB 74

HB 1148

HB 453

HB 498

HB 950

HB 298

SB 291

SB 260

SB 112

HB 614

SB 141

HB 667

SB 476

HB 35 (2nd Special Session)


HB 69 Jones Amd. (2nd Special session)

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2016 %

2015 %

LIFETIME AVG

ABRAHAM R 36 - - - - - + + + + + - + + + + + + - - + - - - - + + - - + + 16 30 53% n/a 53%

Abramson† D 98 - - - - - X X X X X - + X X X X X X X + + X X X X X - - - - 3 13 n/a 31% 31%

ADAMS R 85 - - - - - - + + + + - + X X + + + - - - + - - - + + - - - - 11 28 39% 35% 49%

AMEDÉE R 51 + - X X + - + + + + - + + + + + + - - + + + - + + + - + + + 21 28 75% n/a 75%

Anders D 21 - - - - - + + - + + + + + X + + + - + - + - - - + + - - - + 15 29 52% 32% 41%

Armes D 30 + - - - - - X - X + + + + + - X X - + X + - - - + X - - - + 10 24 42% 47% 42%

BACALA R 59 - - - + + + + + + + + + X X + + + - - + + - - - + + + - + + 19 28 68% n/a 68%

BAGLEY R 7 + - - - - + + + + + + + + + X + + - - + + - - - + + - - + + 18 29 62% n/a 62%

Bagneris D 100 - X - - - - + - - - - X - X + - - - + - + - - - X + - - - + 6 26 23% n/a 23%

BARRAS R 48 - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + - X - - + X - - + - 15 28 54% 53% 60%

BERTHELOT R 88 + - - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - - + + + - + + 21 30 70% 42% 59%

Billiot D 83 - - - - - - + - + + - + + + + X X - + + + - - - + + - - - - 12 28 43% 37% 48%

BISHOP R 43 + X + + - + + + + + + + + + + X X - - + X + - - + + - - + + 19 26 73% 47% 63%

Bouie D 97 - - - - - - + X + - - X - X + - - X + - + - - - + + - - - + 8 26 31% 35% 33%

55%OVERALL AVERAGE

THIBAUT 65%HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

ADAMS 39%LOWEST REPUBLICAN

66%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

37%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

14



Party District






HB 580

HB 386

HB 594

HB 766

HB 597

HB 337

HB 570

HB 606

HB 1081

HB 74

HB 1148

HB 453

HB 498

HB 950

HB 298

SB 291

SB 260

SB 112

HB 614

SB 141

HB 667

SB 476




ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2016 %

2015 %

LIFETIME AVG

BROADWATER R 86 - - X + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - X + + - - - X + - - - - 16 27 59% 31% 51%

Brown, C. D 60 - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + X X + - + - - - + + - - - + 16 28 57% n/a 57%

Brown, T. I 22 + - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - - X + + - - + + 20 29 69% 47% 57%

CARMODY R 6 - - + - - X + + + + - + + + + + + - - X - + X X + + - - + + 16 26 62% 25% 50%

Carpenter D 63 - - - - - - X - + - - + - + + - - X + - + - - - + X - X - + 8 26 31% n/a 31%

Carter, G. D 102 - - - - - + + - - X X X X X - - - X + - - X - - - + - X - - 4 22 18% n/a 18%

Carter, R. D 72 - X - - - - + X + + - + + + + + + - + - + - - - + + - - - + 14 28 50% n/a 50%

CARTER, S. R 68 - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + - + - - + + + - + + 19 30 63% 37% 52%

CHANEY R 19 - - - - - + + + + + - + + + + + + - - + - - - - + + - - - + 15 30 50% 47% 54%

CONNICK R 84 + + + + + - + - X + - + + + + + + - + + - X - + + + - - - - 18 28 64% 63% 57%

COUSSAN R 45 + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - - - - + + - - + + 22 30 73% n/a 73%

Cox D 23 - - - - - - + X X + - + + + + - - - + - - - - - X X - - - + 8 26 31% 24% 25%

CROMER R 90 - X + - + + + - + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - + X + + X + X 19 26 73% 64% 66%

Danahay D 33 - - - - - - + + + + - + + + + + + - + + - - - - + + - - X X 14 28 50% 42% 46%

DAVIS R 69 - - - - - X + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + X - - + + - - + + 17 28 61% n/a 61%

DeVILLIER R 41 - - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + + + + - + + 24 30 80% n/a 80%

DWIGHT R 35 - - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + - X + + - - + + + - - + + 19 29 66% n/a 66%

EDMONDS R 66 + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - - + - + - - + - + + + + 22 30 73% n/a 73%

EMERSON R 39 + + + + + + + + X + - + + + X + + - - + + + - + + + + - + + 23 28 82% n/a 82%

FALCONER R 89 - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + X - + + - - + + + - + + + 20 29 69% n/a 69%

FOIL R 70 - - - - - - + X + + - + + + + + + - - + - - - - + + - - + + 14 29 48% 35% 41%

Franklin D 34 X - - - - - + X + - - + + + + - - - + X - - - - + + - - - + 10 27 37% 24% 23%

Gaines D 57 - - - - - - X - + X X X X X X - - - + - X - - - + X - - - + 4 21 19% 20% 21%

GAROFALO R 103 - + + + - + + + + + + + + + X + + - - + X X - X + X + - + - 18 25 72% 67% 70%

Gisclair D 54 - - - - - - + - + + - + + X + - X - + + + - - - + + - - - + 12 28 43% 47% 45%

Glover D 4 - - - - - - - - + - - + - X + - - - + + + - - + + + - - - X 9 28 32% n/a 32%

GUINN R 37 + - - X - + + + X + + + + + X X X - + + - - - + X + - - X + 14 23 61% 63% 64%

Hall D 26 - - - - - - + - + - - + + + + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - + 11 30 37% 33% 35%

Harris, J. D 99 - - - - - - + - - - - + X X X - - - X - + - - - + + - - - - 5 26 19% n/a 19%

HARRIS, L. R 25 - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - - - - + + + - + + 20 30 67% 47% 59%

HAVARD R 62 + - - X - + + + + + + + + + + + X - - + + - + + + + + - + + 21 28 75% 88% 78%

15



Party District






HB 580

HB 386

HB 594

HB 766

HB 597

HB 337

HB 570

HB 606

HB 1081

HB 74

HB 1148

HB 453

HB 498

HB 950

HB 298

SB 291

SB 260

SB 112

HB 614

SB 141

HB 667

SB 476




ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2016 %

2015 %

LIFETIME AVG

HAZEL R 27 + - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + - - + - - - - + + - - + + 17 30 57% 37% 43%

HENRY R 82 - X - X - + + + + + + + + + + + + X - + + X - - + + X - + - 17 25 68% 56% 65%

HENSGENS R 47 + + X + - + X X + + + X + X X X X - + X + - - - + + + - + + 15 21 71% 75% 75%

HILFERTY R 94 - - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + X - + + + - - + + X - + - 17 28 61% n/a 61%

Hill D 32 - - - - - - + - + + - + + + + - - - + - - - X - + X - - - + 10 28 36% 53% 43%

HODGES R 64 X + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - X + X - - + + + + + + + 23 27 85% 69% 82%

HOFFMANN R 15 - - - - - + + + + + - + + + + + + - - + - - - + + + - - + - 16 30 53% 53% 60%

HOLLIS R 104 - - - - - X + X X + X X + + X + + - + X + - - + + + - - + - 12 23 52% 71% 68%

HORTON R 9 - - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - + + + - + + + 22 30 73% n/a 73%

HOWARD R 24 + + + + + X + X + + + + + + + + + - + + + - - - + + - - + + 22 28 79% 47% 69%

Hunter† D 17 - X - - - - X X X - X X X X + + + X + - - - - + + + X X - + 8 19 n/a 39% 19%

HUVAL R 46 + - - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + X + + + - - - + + - - + + 21 29 72% 58% 60%

IVEY R 65 + X + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - + X - + - + + 22 28 79% 67% 82%

Jackson D 16 - - - - - - + - X + - X + + + + + - + - - - - + + + - - - + 12 28 43% 59% 40%

James D 101 - - - - - - X - + - - + + + + - - X - - + - - + + X - - - + 9 27 33% 33% 31%

Jefferson D 11 - - - - - - + - + - - + + + + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - + 10 30 33% 26% 35%

Jenkins D 2 - - - - - + - - + - - + - + + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - - 9 30 30% n/a 30%

JOHNSON, M. R 8 + X + - + + + X + + + + + + + + + - - + - + - + + - + + + X 21 27 78% 72% 75%

Johnson, R. D 28 - - - - - - + - + + + + + + X X X - - - + - - - + + - - - + 11 27 41% 53% 43%

Jones D 50 - - - - - - + - + + X X + + - X X - X + + - - - + + - - - + 10 25 40% 56% 49%

Jordan† D 29 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X - + - - + + + - X - + 5 10 n/a n/a n/a

LANDRY, N. R 31 + + + + - + + + + + - + + + + + + - X + - + - - + + - X + + 21 28 75% 68% 71%

Landry, T. D 96 - - - - - - + - + - - + + X + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - + 10 29 34% 39% 28%

LeBas D 38 - - - - - - + X + + - + + + X X X - + + + - - - + + X - - + 12 25 48% 47% 44%

Leger D 91 - - X - - - X X X - - + X X + - - X - + + X - X + X - - - - 5 20 25% 33% 32%

LEOPOLD R 105 - - - + - + + + + + - + + + + + + - - X + - - - X + X - + - 15 27 56% 44% 50%

LOPINTO R 80 X - + + - - + + X + + + + + X + + X X + + X - - + + - - + - 16 24 67% 44% 57%

Lyons D 87 - - - - - - - - + + - + + + + - X - + - - - - - X + - - - + 9 28 32% n/a 32%

MACK R 95 - + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - + - - - + + + + + + - 21 30 70% 53% 68%

MAGEE R 53 - - - - - + + + X + + + + + + + + - X + - X - - + + - - + + 16 27 59% n/a 59%

Marcelle D 61 - - - - - - + X + - - + - X - - X - + - + - - - + X X - - + 7 25 28% n/a 28%


Party District






HB 580

HB 386

HB 594

HB 766

HB 597

HB 337

HB 570

HB 606

HB 1081

HB 74

HB 1148

HB 453

HB 498

HB 950

HB 298

SB 291

SB 260

SB 112

HB 614

SB 141

HB 667

SB 476




ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2016 %

2015 %

LIFETIME AVG

MCFARLAND R 13 - - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - + - + - - + + 17 30 57% n/a 57%

MIGUEZ R 49 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + X + + + + + + - + + 26 29 90% 47% 69%

Miller, D. D 40 - - - - - - + - + - + + + + + - + - + X + - - - + X - - - + 12 28 43% n/a 43%

MILLER, G. R 56 - - - - - + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + - - - + + - - + + 18 30 60% 58% 61%

Montoucet D 42 - - - - - - X - + + - + + + - - X X + + + - - - + + - - - + 11 27 41% 31% 37%

Moreno D 93 - - - - - - - X + - - + - X + - - - + + + - - - + + - - - - 8 28 29% 20% 16%

MORRIS, JAY R 14 - - - X - + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + - X - - + + - - + + 17 28 61% 53% 62%

MORRIS, JIM R 1 - - - - - X + + + + + + + + + + + X + + - X X - + + + X + - 17 25 68% 76% 76%

Norton D 3 - - - - - - + X X X X X X + X - - - + - X - - + + + - - - X 6 21 29% 25% 22%

PEARSON R 76 - + - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - - + X + X X + - 18 27 67% 69% 69%

Pierre D 44 - - - - - - + X + - - + + + + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - + 11 29 38% 37% 28%

POPE R 71 - - + - - X + + + + X + + + + + + X + + - - - + + + - - - + 17 27 63% 72% 66%

Price D 58 - - - - - - + - + X X + X X X - - - + - - - - - + X - - - + 6 24 25% 29% 28%

PUGH R 73 - + - X - X + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - - + + - X + - 17 27 63% 53% 65%

PYLANT R 20 - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + X - + + - + + + + 21 29 72% 71% 72%

Reynolds D 10 - - - - - + + - + + + + + + + + X - + - + - - - + + - - - + 15 29 52% 32% 46%

Richard I 55 + X + + + X X X X + - + + + + + X X + + - - - - + + - + + X 16 22 73% 65% 65%

SCHEXNAYDER R 81 + - - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - - + + + + + - 21 30 70% 42% 59%

SCHRODER R 77 + X X X - + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + - - + X + X - + - 18 25 72% 67% 80%

SEABAUGH R 5 + X + + + + + X + + + X X X + + + - X X - X - + + + + + X X 17 20 85% 67% 84%

SHADOIN R 12 - - - - - + + + + + + X + + + + + - + + + - - - + + - - - + 17 29 59% 44% 60%

SIMON† R 74 X X X X X X + X X X X X + X + + + - X X X X + + + + - + + X 11 13 n/a 64% 68%

Smith D 67 - - - - - - - - + - - + - X - - X X + - + - - + + X - - - + 7 26 27% 31% 25%

STOKES R 79 - - - X - + + + + + - + X + + + + - - + - X X - + + - - - - 13 26 50% 63% 61%

TALBOT R 78 + + + + - X + + - + - + + + + + + - - + + + - + + + - + + - 21 29 72% 56% 65%

Thibaut D 18 - - - - - X + + + + + + + + + + X X + + + - - - + + X - + + 17 26 65% 39% 56%

White D 75 - - - - - - + - + + + + + + X + + - X - + - - - + + X - - - 12 27 44% n/a 44%

WILLMOTT R 92 + - + - + - + - + + - + + + + + + - + + + - - + + + - - + - 19 30 63% 42% 56%

ZERINGUE R 52 - - - - - + + + X + + + + + + + + - - + + - - - + + - - + + 17 29 59% n/a 59% † Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2016 percentage was not rated.

2016 - ACU Ratingsacuratings.conservative.org › ... › 08 › Louisiana_2016_web.pdf ·...

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