By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – With another state legislative session on the books, state Rep. Nickie Monica (R – LaPlace) provided an overview of his third year of work as representative of the 57th District to members of the LaPlace Rotary Club Tuesday.

Although he said the process can be frustrating at times, Monica told the group that working as a state legislator continues to be a life-altering experience for him.

“Sometimes it takes so long to get anything done,” Monica said. “Sometimes you feel like you are one person up against the other 143 members. But when you are the one proposing bills and voting on new legislation to improve the state, it is an experience that is hard to match.”

Monica offered a rundown Tuesday of legislation he proposed or worked on in the 2010 session, discussing what got passed and what still needs work.

One new law he is particularly proud of is new statewide penalties for drivers who commit a second DWI offense. Monica said the new law levies a mandatory 45-day license suspension for anyone caught on a second offense.

“In the past, the state has allowed drivers to apply for a hardship license right away,” Monica said. “Now, these repeat offenders will be sidelined and barred from driving.”

Monica said his motivation behind the law stems from his work as a member of the insurance committee. He said the legislation is part of an initiative to get the state out of the top spot for high insurance premiums.

“When I joined the committee, we were in the third spot,” Monica said. “Now we have the highest premiums in the country, and we need to change that.”

Monica said state insurance rates are based on statewide figures for DWI offenses, road conditions and seat belt use. He said he spent time last session working on new legislation that creates more stringent penalties for failure to wear seat belts, which was passed into law.

One piece of legislation that could not garner enough momentum this session was a bill to change the required equipment for trailer hitch connections. In pushing that bill, Monica offered up testimony from a local family whose children were killed on the road last year in a collision with a rogue trailer.

“If a trailer becomes disconnected from a vehicle, you have what equates to a missile on the road,” Monica said. “I feel the current state approved method can be inadequate at times.”

Monica proposed use of a rigid connecting device that mounts to the vehicle producing multiple connections. The device would replace the current chain-based hitch that is easier and quicker to connect.

“It comes down to a resistance to change,” Monica said. “It is hard to sell people on new methods.”

Monica said the bill would not be retroactive and would only apply to new trailers sold in the state.

Monica also discussed his involvement in road improvement initiatives to benefit parts of St. John, including a new I-10 interchange in Reserve, progress on the Woodland Drive extension in LaPLace and a push to add another lane to West Fifth Street in LaPlace near St. Joan of Arc School.