This bill creates a new crime in Louisiana for the unauthorized possession of copper or brass materials commonly used by utilities, telecommunications companies, and other infrastructure providers. It defines specific types of copper and brass items that are protected and lists authorized possessors, including owners, public utilities, scrap recyclers, and businesses selling these materials. The law establishes penalties of up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine for basic violations, with harsher penalties of five to 99 years in prison for cases involving critical infrastructure, prior convictions related to theft or mischief, or possession of a firearm during the offense.
HB 778 regulates kratom in Louisiana by banning possession, production, and distribution of natural kratom products (defined as substances from *Mitragyna speciosa* leaves or containing 7-hydroxymitragynine/mitragynine). It sets penalties based on quantity: fines up to $50,000 and up to 5 years in prison for large-scale distribution, while small personal possession (under 20g) incurs minor fines. The bill also targets synthetic kratom derivatives by prohibiting products exceeding specific chemical limits (e.g., >2% 7-hydroxymitragynine per serving) or containing synthetically altered compounds, with stricter penalties for synthetic products. This directly affects anyone selling, producing, or possessing kratom products in Louisiana. The bill is pending legislative action as of its 2026 filing.
SB 93 establishes minimum bail amounts for two specific offenses under Louisiana law: $50,000 for possession of child sexual abuse materials (R.S. 14:81.1) and $100,000 for production of such materials. This bill directly affects defendants charged with these offenses and Louisiana district courts, which must set bail at or above these minimums. The key provision requires courts using a bail schedule to enforce these fixed minimums, though judges may adjust bail higher for "good cause" under limited circumstances, such as rearrest on new charges.
HB 568 increases penalties for drug offenses near schools in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals who sell, use, or vape drugs on school property, within 2,000 feet of school grounds, or on school buses. Key provisions include doubling fines, adding mandatory prison time (up to 1 year) without parole or probation for certain violations, and requiring fines up to $1,000. The bill modifies existing drug laws to strengthen enforcement in school zones.
HB 152 adds 13 specific synthetic opioids, including various fentanyl analogs like N-Pyrrolidino metonitazene and Beta-Methylacetyl fentanyl, to Louisiana's Schedule I controlled substances list. This means these substances are now classified as illegal without a prescription, making possession or distribution a criminal offense under state law. The bill directly affects individuals who use or distribute these drugs, as they will face the same legal penalties as other Schedule I substances. The change updates Louisiana's controlled substances law to address emerging synthetic drugs identified through chemical names.
