Rep. Danny McCormick

Maddy summarySB 73 amends Louisiana law to require environmental commissioners to give "substantial consideration" to local government comments during public comment periods or hearings for environmental matters. This change directly affects state environmental commissioners and local governments, ensuring their input is formally weighed in decision-making. The bill does not create new carbon sequestration programs or policies - its focus is solely on procedural changes to public engagement. The amendment was passed unanimously in the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 264 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers to increase transparency around drug pricing and compensation practices. It prohibits PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for claims (Amendment 7) and mandates drug manufacturers to notify the state commissioner of significant price increases (over 15% for brand drugs or "specialty" drugs) with explanations (Amendment 16). The bill also creates a fund for enforcement (Amendment 3) and requires PBMs to notify pharmacies of payment errors and allow claim corrections (Amendment 10). These provisions directly affect pharmacies, PBMs, and drug manufacturers by altering how drug costs and rebates are disclosed and managed.

Maddy summaryHB 535 requires the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to evaluate state tax incentive programs administered by state agencies. This bill directly affects state agencies that manage tax breaks for businesses or individuals, such as economic development or job creation programs. The key mechanism is repealing two existing statutes (R.S. 47:1517.1 and R.S. 51:935.1) to enable this new evaluation process. The bill aims to assess the effectiveness and cost of these tax incentives, with no specific changes to the programs themselves.

Maddy summaryHR 265 is a non-binding resolution urging the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) to study ways to strengthen the state's electrical grid against electromagnetic threats, such as solar storms or man-made incidents. It does not mandate specific actions or funding but asks the LPSC to explore technology, policies, and cost recovery methods for grid hardening. The bill was passed unanimously (95-0) in the Louisiana legislature on June 10, 2025, after being amended to replace "direct" with "urge and request" to clarify its advisory nature. This resolution primarily affects the LPSC's future planning efforts, not grid operators or ratepayers directly. It focuses on policy exploration, not implementing new requirements or infrastructure changes.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution urges the EPA to fast-track testing and approval of a feral hog toxicant developed by LSU AgCenter. It specifically requests the EPA use an existing exemption (Limited Replicated Field Trials) to bypass the typical 10-year review process, directly affecting Louisiana agriculture which faces over $90 million in annual damages from feral hogs. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks federal agencies to expedite safety testing for a sodium nitrite-based solution to address the invasive species threat.

Maddy summaryHR 279 is a non-binding resolution condemning the June 1, 2025, antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. It formally expresses legislative disapproval of the incident and the use of improvised incendiary weapons during the attack, as clarified by an amendment correcting the bill’s description of the weapon. The resolution directly addresses the public and lawmakers, emphasizing unity against antisemitism. It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals or groups. This is a procedural statement, not a policy change, with no financial or regulatory impact.

Maddy summaryHB 358 allows pharmacy technicians to work remotely under specific circumstances, directly affecting pharmacy technicians employed in licensed pharmacies. The bill amends existing law to permit technicians to perform duties from locations outside a physical pharmacy, provided they use secure remote systems. The state board of pharmacy must create implementing rules to govern this remote work arrangement, ensuring compliance with safety and licensing standards. This change modifies current regulations without altering core pharmacy operations or patient care requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 311) requests the Louisiana Department of Health and State Board of Medical Examiners to assess current access to restorative reproductive health practices - such as holistic approaches addressing root causes of fertility issues (e.g., endometriosis, hormone imbalances) - and report findings by June 30, 2026. It directly affects state health agencies, which must study available resources and barriers for women seeking these services. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but asks for a report to inform future policy, citing that many women lack adequate information or access to holistic reproductive care. It passed unanimously in the Louisiana House on June 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 695 would require Louisiana businesses to accept gold or silver coins, bullion, or a gold-backed debit card (which converts stored gold into cash) as legal tender for transactions. This directly affects residents and businesses in Louisiana by expanding the forms of payment they must accept, beyond traditional currency. The bill’s key mechanism explicitly lists government-issued gold/silver coins and bullion as valid tender, while introducing a new "gold-backed debit instrument" for converting stored gold into fiat currency. The bill passed the Louisiana House on May 22, 2025, and is now pending in the Senate.

Maddy summaryHR 247 is a resolution directing Louisiana's Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs to study two existing programs supporting veterans in the criminal justice system: the Veterans Court Program Treatment Act and the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program. The committee must evaluate these programs to recommend potential revisions that better assist veterans with co-occurring mental health, substance use, and criminal justice challenges. The resolution requires the committee to submit a report to the House Judiciary Committee by March 9, 2026. This is a procedural step focused on program review, not new legislation.