Ryan Eugene Gatti (born June 1974) is an attorney in his native Bossier City, Louisiana, who was a Republican member of the Louisiana Senate from 2016 until 2020 for District 36. Gatti served as vice-chairman of the Insurance Committee and on the Natural Resources Committee, Judiciary A Committee and Military Affairs.
Legislation 2016–2018
Gatti filed numerous bills during 2016, 2017 and 2018. SB 24 would have lowered taxes paid by individuals on oil and gas bonuses and royalties to "zero" but it failed to pass committee. Gatti also partnered with Rep. Tanner Magee to file HB 220 which would have lowered the state portion of the sales tax from 5 percent to 3 percent; however this bill stalled in the House Committee.
2016 Sessions
SB 33 which was signed into law made it a crime punishable by 10–50 years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine per instance for selling fetal organs as a result of an abortion. Over sixty legislators joined as co-author of the bill. As a result of his efforts, Gatti was recognized by Louisiana Family Forum with a "Life and Liberty Award."
SB 34 prohibited increase in motor vehicle premiums when a driver caused at accident with an uninsured motorists, however the bill stalled in committee. SB 35 required explosive companies to carry $50 million in liability coverage; however, the bill did not pass. This bill was filed in response to the bankruptcy of Explo, LLC after an explosion that occurred in Gatti's district.
SB 36 would have excluded doctors from the $500,000.00 medical malpractice cap for advertising as a specialist when they were not so certified.
SB 37 protected military families with special needs children when they relocated to Louisiana by putting those families as the front of the line for services for their children. The bill was converted to a study resolution informing military parents of other viable options with the Department of the Military.
SB 41 would have doubled supplemental pay for firefighters and police officers, but it did not pass out of committee.
SB 44 was signed into law and lowers workers' compensation rates for businesses is certain circumstances.
2017 Sessions
SB 17 was signed into law and provided for training of drivers in appropriate behavior during traffic stops.
SB 63 was signed into law and provided insurance coverage for certain occupational diseases and cancers suffered by firefighters and related to their job duties.
SB 64 was signed into law and requires additional training and supervision of Animal Control employees.
2018 Sessions
SB 73 was signed into law and created the "Fetal Organ Whistleblower Account" which provides compensation for whistleblowers who provide information of persons violating Louisiana Law prohibiting the sale of fetal organs from planned abortions.
SB 129 was signed into law and increased the age of eligibility for foster care from 18 until graduation from high school or 21 whichever occurs first. The bill was applauded as the "best bill of the session" by Gatti's colleague, Senator Ronnie Johns, R- Lake Charles.
SB 211 was signed into law and allowed courts to test biological parents for synthetic drugs before reuniting children in foster care with their parents.
SB 212 was signed into law and allows the Department of Transportation to rent or lease necessary equipment. Prior to this law, the department was only allowed to purchase equipment.
SB 299 did not pass, but it required that if one business receives a benefit from government, then all businesses receive the same benefit.
SB 319 was signed into law and abolished unnecessary and inactive boards and commissions.
SB 458 was signed into law and excluded First Degree Murderers from Medical Furlough. It also provided that notice must begin to all residents of a nursing home or hospital before an offender can be releasaed from prison to the facility. This bill was filed in response to a Medical Furlough request from a first degree murderer.
Political career
Within 23 months of being sworn in, Gatti visited every school in his district delivering a Louisiana Flag to each school. Gatti has held over 50 town hall meetings from Plain Dealing and Castor to Springhill and Haughton. Gatti tells the story of the Mama Pelican on the Louisiana Flag.
In 2003, Gatti ran unsuccessfully for the District 8 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives against fellow Republican Jane H. Smith, a former school superintendent for Bossier Parish. He received 3,456 votes (33.1 percent) to Smith's 6,999 (66.9 percent).