Rep. Neil Riser

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a law regarding the protection of agricultural land from foreign adversaries by adding a specific legal definition for "land." The change requires that the term "land" in the statute be interpreted according to the definition found in R.S. 3:3602. This clarification directly affects how agricultural properties are identified and protected under the existing legislation. The bill is currently under consideration by the Committee on Appropriations after being referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana regulations for black bear hunting by requiring hunters to obtain a specific bear license and a separate harvest permit. The harvest permit will be distributed through a lottery system with a $50 entry fee, while one permit will be sold via public auction. All money from these permits and the new $25 bear hunting license fee will go into a dedicated fund used exclusively for black bear conservation and habitat management. Additionally, the law clarifies that feeding wild bears is generally prohibited but allows licensed hunters to use bait for hunting purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the fee schedule for geoscientists and geoscientists-in-training in Louisiana, directly affecting those seeking licensure or certification from the state board. It establishes specific costs for initial applications, annual renewals, late renewals, and various administrative services like duplicate certificates and verification letters. The legislation also sets limits on how much these fees can increase over time, capping application fee hikes at $30 every three years and renewal fee increases at $20 per year. Additionally, it introduces a reduced annual renewal fee of $125 for professional geoscientists who are sixty years of age or older.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers the responsibility for managing and accounting for the Catahoula Parish Library's funds from the parish police jury to the library's own board of control. By updating state law, the legislation gives the library board direct authority over financial administration rather than relying on the broader parish government. The change aims to streamline operations by placing financial oversight directly under the leadership of the library's governing body.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's condolences to the family and friends of Mayther "Ray" Young, who recently passed away. It honors his life by highlighting his extensive contributions to agriculture, public service, and his community, including his work as a farmer, consultant, and elected official. The resolution formally acknowledges his achievements and transmits a copy to his widow, Dorothy Young, as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every public and approved nonpublic secondary school in Louisiana to print the number "988" on the back of all student identification cards. The measure also mandates that schools post the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number on their websites to ensure easy access to help. Effective July 1, 2024, the law aims to make suicide prevention resources more visible to students and staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally expresses the condolences of the Louisiana Legislature on the death of James David Cain, a former state representative and senator. The document honors Cain's life and career by detailing his background as a basketball coach, his military service, and his decades of public service in both the House and Senate. It serves as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to the state and extends sympathy to his surviving family members, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Maddy summaryHB 967 allows retired teachers from the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana to return to work in critical shortage positions. The bill authorizes the system to rehire these retirees and adjusts their retirement benefits to account for their continued service. It also includes minor grammatical corrections to the text of the legislation. This measure directly impacts retired educators and the state's public school system by creating a pathway for experienced teachers to resume employment where there is a high demand.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of April as Native Plant Month in Louisiana to highlight the importance of the state's diverse native flora. It formally recognizes that Louisiana hosts nearly 2,500 native plant species that support local ecosystems, wildlife, and the economy. The legislation aims to encourage public awareness about the benefits of these plants for pollinators and environmental sustainability. By adding this designation to state law, the bill provides a structured opportunity for education and appreciation of native plants without mandating specific actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the language in a previous law to clarify that jurors can donate their daily jury duty pay to the Capital Area Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) organization. The changes correct minor wording errors by replacing "the" with "their" and updating a section reference from "Paragraph (A)" to "Subsection A." These adjustments ensure the existing rule allowing jurors to give their compensation to CASA is clearly written without altering the policy itself.