Technology

HB 858 exempts GPS location data collected by Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on individual wildlife and aquatic animals from public records disclosure. The bill amends state law to explicitly exclude this specific data from being released under public records requests. This directly affects the department's ability to share such data with the public, while protecting the precise locations of individual animals from potential misuse. The key provision prevents the release of GPS information that could reveal where specific animals are located.

SB 503 establishes the Minor Exploitation Prevention Act to regulate how mobile applications are distributed and used by minors in Louisiana. The law requires app stores to verify user ages and allows developers of apps intended for adults to request age signals from these platforms to restrict access to younger users. App developers must also avoid showing personalized ads to minors and provide tools for parents to supervise their children's usage. While the bill places liability on developers for correctly identifying their apps as adult-only, it protects app stores from legal responsibility if they act in good faith regarding age verification.

This bill is a formal request from the Louisiana Legislature asking the U.S. Congress to update the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The proposed change aims to modernize voter registration rules by explicitly incorporating state departments of motor vehicles and other public service agencies into the process, reflecting current practices like online registration. By urging these updates, the bill seeks to streamline how citizens register to vote and ensure voter rolls remain accurate through the use of modern technology.

This bill is a commendation resolution that formally recognizes the "LIFTOff Louisiana" team for their successful proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration's pilot program on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. It directly honors the Department of Transportation and Development, the Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission, and the Gulf of America Center of Excellence for their collaborative work in advancing aviation technology and safety. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves to acknowledge the team's achievement as one of only eight selected nationally. Copies of this recognition will be sent to state officials, including the governor and agency leaders.