NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana lawmakers have traffic cameras in their sights this session, filing several bills to change how — and if — the process should work.

The bills have had different levels of success.

They could have a significant impact on New Orleans’ drivers and government. The city’s traffic camera system generates more than $20 million per year in general fund revenue.

A Fox 8 investigation found the city is struggling to collect $135 million worth of uncollected tickets going back more than a decade.

Senate Bill 21, filed by Sen. Alan Seabaugh (R-Many), would take the most aggressive approach against traffic cameras, but has seen the least success. It would make the use of traffic cameras “strictly prohibited,” effectively bringing an end to all municipal or parish traffic camera programs in the state, along with the government revenue they produce.

In March, the bill was deferred in a Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee meeting. It has remained stalled there since.

Chair Pat Connick (R-Marrero) told Fox 8 that Seabaugh has not asked for the bill to be heard, signaling it’s likely dead.

In the meeting, opponents of the bill said the systems improve safety and allow understaffed police departments to move resources elsewhere.

Sen. Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek) raised concerns about the spread of traffic camera systems in the state.

“The more that this happens, and I know that they’re needed in some places and not unwilling to embrace that, but we’re losing touch points to see other criminal activity that’s associated with speeding violations, like driving under intoxication, human trafficking,” she said.

Cloud filed Senate Bill 360, but also deferred it to the meeting. It’s followed a similar path as Seabaugh’s bill and Connick indicated it’s also likely dead. It would prohibit traffic camera systems from issuing tickets through license plates, a system New Orleans currently uses.

“The vehicle isn’t the one that’s speeding. It’s the person that’s behind the wheel,” she said.

That logic might see more success in Rep. Daryl Deshotel (R-Marksville)’s House Bill 652.

It requires traffic camera systems to get footage of the driver to issue tickets. It also prohibits local governments from issuing or collecting on tickets if an image of the driver is not obtained.

“A lot times, you have families that may share vehicles. You have neighbors that borrow vehicles. You have all sorts of situations where people are in vehicles that they do not own,” he said in an April committee meeting.

The bill creates guardrails for administrative challenges, creates time limits for camera use and creates requirements for how any revenue generated by the cameras can be spent.

The bill has passed out of the house and is working through the senate.

Sen. Stewart Cathey (R-Monroe) filed a bill with similar guardrails which is moving through the house.

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Cajun Navy Ground Force has been on the ground in southeast Texas, helping people recover from last week’s severe flooding.

The rescue and relief organization is based in Lafayette, and ground force president Rob Gaudet said deploying to Houston was a no-brainer, especially considering the proximity.

The floodwaters have receded in several areas, but this week, Gaudet said his team was able to help deliver insulin to a man in a neighborhood that was still cut off by high water.

Gaudet also stressed the importance of documenting the damage from a flood as early as possible. From there, people need to prepare for a long cleanup journey.

“It takes years to recover, and it’s so important for people to know that and the need for assistance is tremendous,” he said.

The Cajun Navy Ground Force will stay in southeast Texas as long as there’s a need and they have the resources necessary to meet it.

For updates on this story, follow Briana Conner on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Louisiana is ranked last – again – in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best States report, which for the second consecutive year cited an atmosphere of violent crime, poisonous industrial pollution, poverty and a dwindling population among the state’s hardships.

Utah was ranked as the top state. Texas was No. 29 as Louisiana’s highest-ranking contiguous neighbor, while Mississippi ranked No. 48 and Arkansas No. 47.

The U.S. News report ranked Louisiana in the following categories: crime/corrections, 50; economy, 49; education, 47; fiscal stability, 41; healthcare, 46; infrastructure, 49; natural environment, 49; and opportunity, 44.

Among the most alarming statistics:

∎ Residents suffer 629 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 65% higher than the national average.

∎ Louisiana has a net migration of negative 0.6%, while the average state is attracting 0.3% more population.

∎ Preventable hospital admissions are 27% higher in Louisiana than the national average, while nearly half of the population – 40% – is obese.

∎ Nearly one-third of Louisiana’s roads – 29% – are in poor condition compared to 18% nationwide. The state is 49th in Internet access.

∎ Louisiana factories release 3,134 pounds of industrial toxins per square mile compared to a national average of 937.

It’s the latest in a series of studies listing Louisiana as the worst or among the worst states in key quality of life areas.

About one in five Louisianians live in poverty.

Louisiana women in particular face bleak circumstances on nearly every front, from poverty to life expectancy to education, according to a study released earlier this year.

The WalletHub study ranked Louisiana 50th among states and the District of Columbia as best places for women, ahead of only Oklahoma.

Last spring a WalletHub study ranked Louisiana as the worst state in America for working mothers, with data showing moms here are shortchanged on everything from pay to childcare.

And last year’s Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Louisiana 49th for child well-being.

More: Louisiana rejects rape, incest abortion exceptions for pregnant children, keeps strict ban

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.