Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses the Louisiana Legislature's support for strengthening the state's partnership with Taiwan and expanding Taiwan's participation in international organizations. The bill specifically endorses efforts to deepen trade ties, encourages collaboration through the National Guard's State Partnership Program, and celebrates the anniversaries of the Taiwan Relations Act and the sister-state relationship between Louisiana and Taiwan. As a non-binding statement of intent, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies but serves to formally acknowledge the value of these diplomatic and economic connections.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a small change to the state constitution to adjust the deadline for passing spending bills. Currently, the law requires such bills to be enacted by November 5, but this amendment would move that date to December 7. The change directly affects the legislative process by giving lawmakers an extra month to finalize budgets before the fiscal year begins. No new programs or funding levels are created; the bill only alters the procedural timeline for how appropriations are approved.

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 requires Louisiana's legislative auditor to examine how local governments and other nonstate entities spend money on new construction projects funded by the state. The law specifically targets entities that receive capital outlay funds and mandates that they follow existing financial rules when building new projects. If an entity fails to comply with these spending requirements, the auditor must record the violation as a finding of noncompliance. This change aims to increase oversight of state-funded construction projects to ensure proper use of public money.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud, which prohibits anyone from knowingly giving an abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent. It also amends existing laws to explicitly classify attempted abortions as a crime and adds the specific act of using drugs to cause an abortion to the state's list of racketeering activities. Under the new provisions, offenders face prison sentences ranging from five to twenty years and fines between ten thousand and one hundred thousand dollars, depending on the gestational age of the pregnancy and the risk to the woman's health. The law applies to any person who engages in these actions, not just medical professionals, and ensures that a conviction under this bill does not prevent further prosecution for more serious offenses like murder if the woman is harmed or killed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana election laws to allow state senators and representatives who are nominated for President or Vice President to also run for their current state office in the same election. Currently, state officials must choose between their federal campaign and their state seat, but this change permits them to hold both positions if they win. The law specifically applies only to members of the U.S. Congress who are seeking the highest federal offices, leaving other dual candidacy rules unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates laws regarding the release of mug shots by law enforcement agencies and websites that charge fees to remove them. It generally prohibits police from sharing booking photos with the public unless specific exceptions apply, such as when the person is a fugitive, poses an immediate threat, has been convicted of certain crimes, or is charged with serious offenses like sex crimes or violence against minors. The legislation also requires that any released photo include a disclaimer stating that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty, unless the individual has already been found guilty. Additionally, it mandates that websites charging fees to delete mug shots must remove the image within seven days if the person was acquitted, not prosecuted, or had their charges expunged, and it bars these sites from charging any fee for such removals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of a previously passed law regarding teacher and school employee compensation by changing the word "enacted" to "reenacted" in the first section. The change does not introduce new requirements, funding levels, or eligibility criteria for educators. Instead, it serves as a technical correction to the legislative language used to describe the law's status. Consequently, the bill has no direct impact on salaries, benefits, or the operations of schools beyond clarifying the statute's wording.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Louisiana Highway 171 in Leesville as the "Claude 'Buddy' Leach Memorial Highway" to honor an individual. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation and Development to install official signs marking this name, but only if local or private funds cover the full cost of materials and installation. Each sign must not exceed a cost of $550, and the state will not pay for the signage itself. The change is limited to the road segment between Boone Street and East Louisiana Street within the city limits.

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.