Rep. Danny McCormick

Maddy summaryHB 841 establishes new rules for property takings (expropriation) in Louisiana, primarily affecting landowners and pipeline companies with expropriation authority. It requires pipeline operators to provide detailed written notices to landowners before seeking property, conduct appraisals by disinterested third parties, and engage in at least five in-person negotiation meetings. The bill mandates a 30-day response period for landowners to review offers and contest takings on grounds like lack of good-faith negotiation or procedural violations. It also shifts court costs to the expropriating authority (not landowners) and empowers the Department of Conservation and Energy to revoke certificates for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHB 508 removes the requirement for private property owners to obtain a hunting license when taking "outlaw quadrupeds" (animals declared pests by law) on their own land. The bill amends Louisiana law to explicitly state that property owners do not need a license for this specific activity. It directly affects landowners who encounter these designated animals on their property. The key provision is a clear legal exception to standard hunting license rules for this limited scenario.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects faculty members at Louisiana's public colleges and universities from retaliation when they report concerns about misconduct, abuse, or other improprieties, or when they exercise their academic freedom or free speech rights. It defines retaliation to include actions like firing, demotion, suspension, or negative evaluations, and explicitly states that faculty do not need to give prior notice before reporting issues or speaking out. The law imposes civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation, allows faculty to sue for damages including lost wages and emotional harm, and requires institutions to adopt uniform reporting and investigation policies. Additionally, the bill mandates that colleges submit annual reports to the legislature on any complaints received regarding retaliation and removes sovereign immunity protections for institutions that violate these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 4) suspends Louisiana’s rules restricting supplemental feeding and baiting for deer hunting in chronic wasting disease (CWD) control areas for 18 months. It directly affects hunters, landowners, and local businesses in CWD zones by temporarily lifting bans on baiting and feeding practices that were previously prohibited in "Enhanced Mitigation Zones" and restricted in "Buffer Zones." The suspension aims to support traditional hunting methods and reduce economic impacts on rural communities while allowing further study of CWD management. The resolution requires the state register to publish a summary of this change in the Louisiana Register.

Maddy summaryHB 507 repeals Louisiana's existing civil liability caps for carbon dioxide storage facilities and transmission pipelines. It removes limits on damages that could be claimed in lawsuits against owners or operators of these facilities. This change directly affects companies handling CO2 for storage or transport, as they would no longer benefit from pre-set damage caps in court cases. The bill makes no new policy provisions but alters the legal liability framework for these specific energy infrastructure operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal request from the Louisiana House of Representatives asking the U.S. Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to show identification at federal election polling places. The resolution argues that voter ID laws help prevent fraud and increase public trust in elections, noting that 36 states already have similar requirements. It does not directly change any laws or affect voters immediately, but rather serves as a non-binding recommendation to federal lawmakers. The bill is a procedural measure expressing support for election integrity rather than implementing specific policy changes itself.

Maddy summaryHB 713 limits the total compensation of the executive port director at the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission to the statewide average of the top ten port directors in Louisiana. It requires annual calculation of this average by the legislative auditor and division of administration using data submitted by all port authorities, with the first calculation due by January 2027. The limit applies prospectively to all contracts, amendments, or renewals executed on or after January 1, 2028, but does not affect existing contracts in place before that date. The bill defines "total compensation" to include salary, benefits, bonuses, and other remuneration. This policy change directly affects only the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission's executive director.

Maddy summaryHB 667 changes how members of the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission are selected, shifting from appointments by local officials to direct elections. Starting in 2027, commissioners will be elected through nonpartisan, parishwide elections held during gubernatorial primaries every four years. Elected commissioners will serve four-year terms (with a maximum of three consecutive terms), replacing the current system where members were appointed by Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Shreveport, and Bossier City officials. This change directly affects the governance of the port commission, which oversees regional economic development and infrastructure in Caddo and Bossier parishes. The transition period allows current appointed members to serve until December 2027, with elected members assuming office January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy to study how industrial water use from Caddo Lake might affect the lake environment. The request specifically focuses on potential impacts from data centers and other industrial facilities that could draw water for cooling purposes. The department must complete its study and submit findings to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment within 60 days before the 2027 legislative session begins. This action responds to local concerns about water availability, environmental changes, and the balance between industrial development and public access to the lake.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the Department of Conservation and Energy to review the rules for licensing water well drillers in Louisiana. The study will examine whether current requirements, such as needing two years of drilling experience and two professional references, create unnecessary barriers for new applicants. The department must submit its findings to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment by the start of the 2027 legislative session. This bill does not change any laws immediately but instead directs an official review of existing regulations to determine if modifications are needed.