Rep. Neil Riser

Maddy summaryHB 669 continues an existing excise tax on cigarettes by adding a new definition for "heated tobacco products" to the tax statute. The bill defines these products as tobacco-containing items that produce inhalable aerosol through electronic heating (without burning tobacco), excluding traditional cigarettes. This change directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling these specific heated tobacco products, subjecting them to the same excise tax as cigarettes. The bill modifies tax code section 47:842 to include this definition, ensuring heated tobacco products fall under the existing cigarette tax framework.

Maddy summaryHB 570 references existing requirements in R.S. 51:1773 regarding minors' use of applications, directing that developers comply with those provisions. The bill's amendments (amending grammar and terminology) do not introduce new policy changes but adjust the bill's language to align with the referenced law. The bill directly affects app developers by requiring adherence to established regulations for minors' application use. No specific new mechanisms or policy changes are described in the provided context beyond referencing existing law.

Maddy summarySB 137 requires insurance companies to notify the state Department of Insurance when they stop, pause, or restart selling policies in a specific geographic region. This applies directly to all insurers operating within defined areas of the state. Insurers must provide written notice of these changes in policy availability, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2026. The bill creates a clear reporting mechanism to track shifts in insurance market access.

Maddy summarySB 178 establishes a School Employee Bill of Rights document for all school employees in the state. It creates a formal framework outlining workplace rights and protections, directly affecting teachers, support staff, and other school personnel. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (36-1) and is now moving to the House for consideration. This is a procedural bill focused on defining employee rights through documentation, not implementing new operational policies.

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 summaryHB 37 requires online platforms to exercise a duty of care when entering binding contracts with minors. This means platforms must take reasonable steps to protect minors during these agreements, such as ensuring terms are understandable and avoiding exploitative practices. The bill directly affects companies offering digital services, apps, or content that contract with users under 18. It recently passed a committee with amendments (11-0) and now has an effective date set for June 1, 2026, after a deadline change from March 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 296 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by Louisiana's House of Representatives to commemorate St. Patrick's Day. It formally recognizes Louisiana's historical Irish cultural ties, including the 1806 St. Patrick's Day celebration in New Orleans and Irish immigrants' role in building the New Basin Canal (1832-1838). The resolution also acknowledges the American Irish State Legislators Caucus, which fosters U.S.-Ireland relations. As a non-binding commemoration, it does not create new policies or affect any specific group legally.

Maddy summaryHCR 75 is a procedural House Concurrent Resolution that creates a Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force. It establishes the task force structure, specifying that the House-appointed member serves as chair and outlining its composition through committee referral. This resolution does not enact new policy or directly affect specific groups; it solely provides a framework for coordination among state agencies. The resolution is currently pending in committee with recent favorable reports.

Maddy summaryHB 605 authorizes the Department of Energy and Natural Resources to charge a fee for expedited processing of applications or reviews. The fee must cover the department's actual costs, including overtime worked by employees, but cannot exceed 1.5 times the standard hourly wage for the highest-paid eligible staff. This applies to individuals or entities seeking faster handling of their submissions, such as permits or project reviews. The bill ensures fees directly reflect the department's incremental costs without guaranteeing profit.

Maddy summaryHB 639 imposes a 21.5% tax on online sports wagering and video poker services in the state. It directly affects online gambling operators who will pay this new tax rate on their revenue. The bill dedicates an estimated $34.7 million in new tax revenue to state programs, as noted in the bill's fiscal impact statement. This legislation creates a specific tax mechanism for digital gaming services and allocates the resulting funds to state priorities, without specifying exact program uses.