Maddy summaryHB 360 requires Louisiana's state treasurer to designate which credit/debit cards and electronic payment methods state agencies can accept for fees (e.g., permits, licenses), publishing this list at least biannually. It authorizes the treasurer to negotiate contracts with payment providers for up to five years, aiming for uniformity across state entities to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The bill directly affects state agencies collecting payments, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or tax offices, by standardizing their electronic payment options. Key provisions include allowing agencies to recommend specific payment methods for approval and requiring the treasurer to seek standard terms in contracts to avoid fragmented systems.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 490 amends Louisiana's tax code to expand sales and use tax exemptions for public projects. It extends existing tax exemptions currently covering state/local governments and their agencies to include purchases made by general contractors and subcontractors working on construction projects for public entities. This means contractors performing work on government-funded projects (like roads or public buildings) would no longer owe sales tax on materials they buy for those projects. The bill proposes a technical adjustment to the tax code and does not create new government spending or alter existing tax rates.
Maddy summaryHB 5 requires Louisiana public school systems to use savings from the Teachers' Retirement System to provide permanent salary increases for teachers and other school employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Certificated staff, such as teachers and administrators, must receive at least a $2,000 raise, while non-certificated staff, including aides and clerical workers, must receive at least $1,000. The bill mandates that these salary increases include associated retirement costs and applies to employees on specific leaves, such as military or maternity leave, provided they remain in their approved positions. If a school district does not have enough savings to cover the full amount of these raises, the remaining cost is to be funded through the state's minimum foundation program formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that charter schools participating in the state retirement system must also comply with these salary increase requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional funding for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to support specific state agencies and programs. It allocates money to the Secretary of State to cover costs associated with changing a local election to a statewide vote in March 2025. The legislation also directs funds to local public schools to help purchase instructional materials, including textbooks and digital resources, as well as supplies for vocational agriculture and agribusiness students. These appropriations are drawn from the State General Fund and statutory dedications from the Overcollections Fund, with the school funding option allowing local districts to match the provided dollars.
Maddy summaryThis Louisiana bill adds Tianeptine, a substance increasingly used for its sedative effects, to Schedule I of the state's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. By placing it in this category, the legislation classifies Tianeptine as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use within the state. The law applies to any material containing Tianeptine, including its salts and isomers, unless it is part of a product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, this change subjects the substance to the strictest level of regulation, making possession, distribution, and use subject to criminal penalties similar to those for other Schedule I drugs.
Maddy summaryHB 843 allocates $93,021,312 from the state budget to cover the operating expenses of the legislature for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill directly impacts state government finances by funding salaries, office supplies, and other necessary costs for legislative staff and facilities. It includes specific amendments that adjust the total appropriation amount and remove several previous Senate committee proposals. This measure is a procedural funding bill that provides the essential resources required for the legislature to function during the upcoming year.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides funding for the ordinary operating expenses of state government for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, directly affecting various state agencies and programs. It includes specific allocations for elderly meal programs, law enforcement projects, university technology initiatives, and senior center support, while also adjusting funding amounts for other departments. The legislation contains numerous amendments that modify existing budget lines, change fund sources, and establish new conditional payments dependent on the enactment of other bills. Ultimately, the bill authorizes the release of state funds to cover the operational costs of government services for the upcoming year.
Maddy summaryHB 781 allocates state funds to cover the operational expenses of the judiciary for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill directly impacts courts and judicial staff by providing the necessary budget to maintain their functions. While the core action is a financial appropriation, the text includes several technical amendments that adjust specific dollar amounts and correct capitalization for the word "Appeal." These changes ensure the budget figures are updated and the document formatting is consistent before the funds are officially distributed.
Maddy summaryHB 291 establishes the specific revenue sharing distribution for Louisiana parishes for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The bill directly affects local governments by allocating a total of $90 million in state funds, with amounts varying significantly based on each parish's population and needs. Key provisions include detailed line-item allocations for every parish, such as $8.6 million for East Baton Rouge and $6.8 million for Orleans, while also adjusting specific financial figures through several amendments. This legislation provides the financial framework for how state tax revenues are distributed to local communities to support their operations and services.
Maddy summaryHB 786 updates the rules for how the state manages and moves money between different special funds in the state treasury. The bill creates several new funds, including one for criminal justice and first responders, another for transportation infrastructure, and a higher education campus revitalization fund. It also changes how much money must be kept in the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and adjusts the deposit requirements for the Community Options Waiver Fund. Additionally, the legislation modifies existing laws to allow the state treasurer to transfer specific amounts between funds and to retain unspent money in various accounts at the end of each fiscal year.