Rep. Chuck Owen

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the United Kingdom government to maintain its dedication to individual liberties as outlined in the Magna Carta and other historic British documents. It is a symbolic gesture from the Louisiana state legislature expressing appreciation for the UK's historical role in advancing freedom and justice. The bill does not create new laws or require any action from the UK government, but rather serves as a diplomatic expression of shared values between the two nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's support for the continued operations of the National Guard at Camp Beauregard in Pineville and commends the Youth Challenge Program. The resolution recognizes Camp Beauregard's long history of supporting military training and emergency operations, noting its role as a primary training platform for the Louisiana National Guard. It also highlights the Youth Challenge Program, which provides an alternative educational opportunity for youth aged sixteen to eighteen, offering residential and post-residential phases focused on life skills, academics, and personal development. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of legislative appreciation for these military and youth programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and asks Congress to cooperate with those efforts. It directly affects the Louisiana Legislature by formally recording its position on a federal policy change. The bill cites the Tenth Amendment to argue that education powers should remain with states rather than the federal government. It does not create new laws or change state education policy, but rather sends a message to the federal government about Louisiana's stance on the issue.

Maddy summaryHB 521 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's property tax system, allowing local taxing authorities (like parishes or municipalities) to adjust property tax rates to the maximum authorized rate from a prior reassessment without requiring new voter approval. The key mechanism permits these authorities to increase rates to the previous year's maximum level using a two-thirds vote of the governing body, after holding a public hearing with proper notice. This change would take effect January 1, 2027, and applies to all property tax collections starting that date. The bill does not change current tax rates but modifies the process for adjusting them, requiring transparency through public hearings while removing the need for separate voter referendums for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 660 increases the state-paid annual salary for assistant district attorneys in Louisiana to $50,500 starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects all assistant district attorneys whose salaries are funded by the state (not local parishes), including those in Orleans Parish. The bill specifies exact salary amounts on set dates (e.g., $50,000 effective 2021, $50,500 effective 2026) and requires separate state appropriations to fund these increases. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no new program or policy beyond the specified pay rates.

Maddy summaryHB 498 gives Beauregard Parish's governing authority (the Police Jury) the power to ban carbon dioxide sequestration projects and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide within the parish through a local resolution or ordinance. The bill requires the parish to notify the state Department of Conservation and Energy of any such ban, which would override state permits or approvals for these projects. It directly affects Beauregard Parish residents, landowners, and potential energy developers by allowing local control over these specific infrastructure projects. The law is limited to Beauregard Parish and does not apply to other parishes in Louisiana.

Maddy summaryHB 497 gives Vernon Parish’s governing authority (the Police Jury) the power to prohibit carbon dioxide sequestration projects, carbon dioxide storage wells, and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide within the parish. It allows the parish to ban these projects through a local resolution, overriding any state permits or approvals that conflict with the parish’s decision. The bill requires the parish to notify the state Department of Conservation and Energy of its prohibition, which becomes effective immediately upon adoption. This directly affects residents and businesses in Vernon Parish, as well as companies seeking to build or operate CO2 infrastructure there.

Maddy summaryHB 5 gives Louisiana parishes the authority to decide whether carbon dioxide storage wells, carbon dioxide sequestration projects, and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide may operate within their borders. Parishes can either pass a local resolution banning these activities or hold a parish-wide election (triggered by a 15% voter petition) where a majority vote determines approval or prohibition. The bill requires the state Department of Conservation and Energy to comply with these local decisions, overriding any existing state permits or approvals. This directly affects parish governments and residents, shifting permitting authority from the state to local communities for these specific energy infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryHB 68 adds a specific offense to Louisiana's disturbing the peace law, prohibiting the interruption of worship services or religious ceremonies at churches or other places of worship. The bill defines this conduct as disturbing the peace, with penalties including fines up to $500, imprisonment up to six months, or both, and requires at least 15 days of the sentence to be served without probation. This law directly affects individuals who disrupt religious gatherings, making such interruptions a criminal offense. The bill does not change existing penalties for other disturbing the peace violations but specifically targets disruptions at religious sites.

Maddy summaryHB 102 creates a new criminal offense for "second degree cruelty to elderly and persons with infirmities," targeting intentional or negligent mistreatment causing serious injury to vulnerable individuals. It directly affects caregivers - including family members, neighbors, nursing homes, and care facilities - and applies to elderly people (60+), those with disabilities, or individuals in residential care settings. Key provisions define the crime, set penalties of up to 40 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 5 years if death occurs), and include an affirmative defense for spiritual healing methods. The bill also designates this offense as a "crime of violence" under Louisiana law, impacting sentencing in related cases.