Rep. Mike Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates financial support for police officers in Louisiana who are injured while performing their duties and cannot work as a result. It allows these officers to attend college or university without paying tuition, fees, or room and board charges, provided they meet academic standards and maintain a C average. The state will also provide a $250 per semester cash grant for books, covering the time needed to earn a bachelor's degree but not exceeding ten semesters. Funding for these benefits comes from the state's general fund.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime for approaching a peace officer who is lawfully performing their duties. The law directly affects individuals who come within a certain distance of an officer engaged in enforcement activities. A key provision establishes that a person cannot be convicted if they did not understand the officer's command or if the officer failed to activate their body camera before giving the order. These rules serve as specific legal defenses that a defendant can use to argue against charges under this new statute.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the Louisiana Legislature to continue funding and expanding the "Greaux the Good" program, which supports farmers markets and direct-to-consumer sales. The bill aims to help low-income residents enrolled in SNAP or WIC buy fresh fruits and vegetables by providing dollar-for-dollar matches at participating local markets. By increasing the number of vendors and shoppers, the program seeks to boost the state's agricultural economy while addressing food insecurity and improving nutrition in vulnerable communities.

Maddy summaryHB 529 amends the language used to describe how an employee's average weekly wage is calculated under workers' compensation laws. The bill changes a specific reference from "Paragraph (a)" to "Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph" within the relevant legal text. This adjustment affects the precise wording of the statute but does not alter the actual method for determining wage benefits or the people who receive them. The change is a technical correction to the bill's structure rather than a new policy initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 45 updates the rules for certifying Montessori teachers in Louisiana by specifying which organizations are authorized to provide training and accreditation. The bill establishes three certification classes, where Class A and Class B teachers must hold credentials from approved bodies like the American Montessori Society or programs accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Class B teachers additionally require a bachelor's degree and at least one year of teaching experience in a Montessori school, while Class C teachers need only the initial certification without the degree or experience requirements. This legislation directly affects Montessori educators seeking state certification and the training institutions they attend.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana State Forester to create a training program focused on post-traumatic stress and emotional support for wildland firefighters. The legislation aims to help these workers manage the psychological stress associated with their demanding jobs by establishing an educational initiative. It does not allocate specific funding but rather mandates the state forester to develop this support system as part of their duties. The law applies specifically to individuals who fight wildfires and does not extend to other types of emergency responders.

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.