Law Backs Jackson’s Ethics Fine | Baton Rouge News

Louisiana lawmakers just passed a sweeping new law, Act 777, that’s poised to erase a $1,000 ethics fine against Rep. Steven Jackson — a penalty he’s fought for nearly three years. The ethics board administrator confirmed the law specifically targets this one fine, despite unanimous June vote to uphold it. Jackson was fined in 2023 for missing a financial disclosure deadline while running for office, finally submitting paperwork in January 2026 after threats of higher penalties. He’s racked up ethics fines before — including from a prior law he helped draft that exempted candidates who’d already filed as officials. This new law retroactively applies that exemption. The senator who added the key amendment claimed she did so at another lawmaker’s request and didn’t realize Jackson would benefit until after passage. The original bill sponsor also said he wasn’t aware the amendment targeted Jackson. The ethics board will revisit the case on August 7. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/004ceafbc9d56f77