Rep. Tammy Phelps

Maddy summaryHB 149 designates a specific segment of United States Highway 190 Business East in Slidell, Louisiana (from Beech Avenue/Interstate 10 Service Road to Military Road) as the "Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation only if local or private funds cover the costs (up to $2,250 per sign). This is a purely ceremonial bill with no substantive policy changes, solely honoring a police officer through road naming.

Maddy summarySB 376, the "Learn and Earn Act," creates a new program allowing Louisiana public high schools to partner with businesses for paid, credit-bearing work-based learning opportunities. It requires school boards to establish career practicums through written agreements with businesses that ensure fair value exchange (e.g., businesses provide equivalent benefit for school resources used) and align with state-approved career pathways. The program directly affects high school students - especially in rural or underserved communities - by offering compensated job training in fields like healthcare or technology while meeting educational requirements. Key provisions mandate that these practicums operate exclusively within defined instructional boundaries, prioritize student safety/supervision, and integrate financial literacy and employability skills.

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 summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes the AmeriCorps Seniors Southern University at Shreveport Caddo/Bossier Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program for its forty-six years of service to children. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but instead formally honors the program's work and designates May 1, 2026, as AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Volunteer Day in Louisiana. The resolution highlights the program's role in connecting older volunteers with economically disadvantaged youth to provide mentorship and support. Because this is a ceremonial measure rather than a policy change, it has no direct impact on funding, regulations, or public services.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives on the death of Kirby Shawn Dawson, a law enforcement officer from Caddo Parish. The bill honors his career in the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office and Shreveport City Marshal's Office, as well as his leadership in the D.A.R.E. Program and his dedication to his family. It formally acknowledges his service and extends wishes for comfort to his wife, three children, and other loved ones.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that formally recognizes the Shreveport Fire Department for receiving the American Heart Association's 2026 Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement Award. It highlights the department's excellence in pre-hospital care for heart attacks and strokes, noting their high success rates in reviving cardiac arrest patients and their rapid response times. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves to publicly honor the department's achievements and express appreciation for their lifesaving efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Louisiana workers' compensation laws to address employee refusal to participate in medical examinations or vocational rehabilitation programs. It allows employers to request expedited court hearings to compel employees to submit to medical exams, with benefits potentially suspended if the employee cannot show good cause for refusal. The legislation also permits a reduction of weekly compensation benefits by fifty percent if an employee unreasonably refuses to cooperate with vocational rehabilitation efforts. These changes apply to injured workers and their employers, streamlining dispute resolution for specific compliance issues while maintaining the requirement for court oversight before penalties are imposed.

Maddy summaryHB 875 modifies Louisiana's fees for drivers who let auto insurance lapse. It reduces reinstatement fees based on lapse duration (e.g., $150 for 1-30 days, $250 for 31-90 days, $450 for over 90 days) and increases the grace period before fees apply to 30 days for first-time lapses. The bill exempts fees if insurance lapses were ≤30 days and the license plate is surrendered within 30 days, or for first-time lapses with 10-day advance notice. It also caps total fees at $850 for drivers under 65 and $250 for seniors aged 65+, with fees becoming final debt after 60 days. This directly affects Louisiana drivers who experience insurance coverage gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution expressing the Louisiana Legislature's condolences to the family of Dr. Norman C. Francis following his death on February 18, 2026. It honors his life as a civil rights advocate, educator, and community leader who served as president of Xavier University for 47 years and played a key role in rebuilding Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. The resolution formally acknowledges his legacy and directs a copy of the document to be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryHB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.