Rep. Mike Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 11 in Slidell, St. Tammany Parish (between Carollo Drive and Kostmayer Avenue) as the "Dan DeBlanc American Hero Highway." It requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation, but only if local or private funds cover the costs - up to $2,250 per sign - for materials and installation. The bill directly affects the local community through signage and funding requirements, with no broader policy changes or financial obligations for the state. It is a commemorative measure with no substantive legislative impact beyond naming a highway corridor.

Maddy summaryHB 336 establishes new rules for inmates seeking post-conviction relief after federal habeas corpus proceedings are stayed to allow exhaustion of state remedies. It requires petitioners to submit unexhausted claims to Louisiana state district courts within 30 days, proving they had good cause for not raising the claim earlier, that the claim isn't frivolous, and they avoided delaying tactics. Applications failing to meet these requirements face automatic dismissal. The bill mandates expedited review by state courts and prioritized handling by the Louisiana Supreme Court for these claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana laws to allow electronic access to videotaped statements of protected persons, such as child victims, during criminal cases. It permits the district attorney to provide digital copies to defense attorneys, courts, and other legally authorized individuals while ensuring the defendant's constitutional rights are protected. The legislation explicitly prohibits self-represented defendants from accessing these electronic copies and maintains the requirement that physical copies be produced at trial. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these provisions do not limit a defendant's right to confront witnesses in court. These changes aim to modernize how evidence is shared while preserving existing legal safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 346 renames a specific section of U.S. Highway 171 in Florien, Louisiana (from Louisiana Highway 118 to Sandra Lane) as the "Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway." The bill directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage for this redesignation, provided local or private funds cover the department's actual costs (up to $750 per sign). This is a procedural naming bill with no substantive policy changes affecting residents, programs, or funding. It solely honors Speaker Joe Salter through a highway designation.

Maddy summaryHB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, requires internet and cable providers in Louisiana to give residential customers 30 days' written notice before raising prices for broadband or cable services. The notice must itemize all new charges, state the effective date and reason for the increase, and inform customers they can cancel without early fees if they act within 30 days of receiving the notice. Providers must deliver notices via the customer’s preferred billing channel (email, text, or mail) and keep records for two years. The law does not regulate prices but treats violations as unfair trade practices, allowing enforcement through Louisiana’s consumer protection laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027, applying only to price increases first notified after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the "Stop The Calls" Act, requires telecommunications providers in Louisiana to implement federal call authentication technology and maintain plans to reduce robocalls. It mandates that phone companies take steps to prevent and detect spoofed caller ID traffic, investigate complaints from the attorney general, and stop carrying traffic from customers who engage in unlawful spoofing after receiving notice. The law establishes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per knowing violation and $1,000 per negligent failure to comply, while protecting providers from liability if they act in good faith to meet federal requirements. The attorney general can enforce these rules through civil actions seeking penalties, restitution, and injunctive relief. The bill explicitly states it must align with federal telecommunications laws and cannot conflict with federal preemption.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution formally commends Dr. Paul Dean Coreil on his retirement as Chancellor of Louisiana State University of Alexandria. The bill recognizes his decades of service in higher education, public service, and youth development, specifically highlighting his leadership in increasing university enrollment and expanding academic programs. Upon passage, the Legislature expresses its appreciation and transmits a copy of the resolution to Dr. Coreil.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 4) suspends Louisiana’s rules restricting supplemental feeding and baiting for deer hunting in chronic wasting disease (CWD) control areas for 18 months. It directly affects hunters, landowners, and local businesses in CWD zones by temporarily lifting bans on baiting and feeding practices that were previously prohibited in "Enhanced Mitigation Zones" and restricted in "Buffer Zones." The suspension aims to support traditional hunting methods and reduce economic impacts on rural communities while allowing further study of CWD management. The resolution requires the state register to publish a summary of this change in the Louisiana Register.

Maddy summaryHB 615 requires certain public bodies in Louisiana to broadcast their meetings live online or via TV. It directly affects nonelected tax-levying boards, state rule-making commissions, and local governments (parish councils, school boards, city councils) in areas with populations over 25,000 (parishes/schools) or 10,000 (cities). Key provisions mandate live audio/video broadcasting of all public meetings (excluding executive sessions), include broadcast location in meeting notices, and require recordings to be archived online for two years. The bill exempts committee meetings with only volunteer members and does not apply if broadcast failure results from unavoidable technical issues.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally commends Dr. Paul Coreil for his retirement as chancellor of Louisiana State University at Alexandria. The document highlights his decades of service, which included leading the university through record enrollment growth, expanding athletic programs, and improving community facilities. It also recognizes his prior career with the LSU Ag Center and his leadership roles in the 4-H organization. By adopting this resolution, the House of Representatives expresses appreciation for his contributions to the university and the citizens of Louisiana.