Rep. Chuck Owen

Maddy summaryHB 507 repeals Louisiana's existing civil liability caps for carbon dioxide storage facilities and transmission pipelines. It removes limits on damages that could be claimed in lawsuits against owners or operators of these facilities. This change directly affects companies handling CO2 for storage or transport, as they would no longer benefit from pre-set damage caps in court cases. The bill makes no new policy provisions but alters the legal liability framework for these specific energy infrastructure operations.

Maddy summaryHB 24 creates a new category for retired teachers rehired by school boards as "independent contractors" under Louisiana's Teachers' Retirement System. It requires school boards to pay the full employer retirement contribution (but retirees pay no employee contributions and earn no new service credit or benefits during the contract). Retired teachers working under this arrangement are exempt from earnings limits that normally reduce retirement benefits. The law applies only to contracts lasting one year or less, expires June 30, 2029, and mandates school boards report only total compensation and employer payments to the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the state of Louisiana and its agencies to officially reject the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan and declare it non-binding on future laws and policies. The bill argues that the plan undermines the state's energy economy and property rights by promoting federal regulations and international climate goals over local interests. It requests that any new environmental initiatives include input from industry stakeholders and that the legislature exercise its oversight authority by holding hearings before adopting executive actions. Additionally, the resolution commits the state to prioritizing energy independence, free-market principles, and domestic resource management instead of relying on federal mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal request from the Louisiana House of Representatives asking the U.S. Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to show identification at federal election polling places. The resolution argues that voter ID laws help prevent fraud and increase public trust in elections, noting that 36 states already have similar requirements. It does not directly change any laws or affect voters immediately, but rather serves as a non-binding recommendation to federal lawmakers. The bill is a procedural measure expressing support for election integrity rather than implementing specific policy changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally recognizes the Rosepine High School Lady Eagles basketball team for winning the 2026 Division III Select state championship. It highlights their victory over Holy Savior Menard and notes their history of winning three state titles in four years. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official commendation from the Louisiana House of Representatives to the team and their coaches.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the Louisiana Tech University Lady Techsters women's basketball team for winning the 2025-2026 Conference USA regular season championship. The document highlights the team's specific achievements, including a 17-1 conference record, a perfect road performance, and a nineteen-game winning streak that carried them into the championship game. It also acknowledges the contributions of the coaching staff and individual players who averaged double-figure scoring during the season. As a commendation, the bill does not alter any laws or policies but serves to publicly honor the team's accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires operators of hazardous liquid pipelines in Louisiana to display their emergency contact information on all pipeline signage and line markers. Operators must certify annually that this contact information is accurate and that the provided telephone number is active and manned at all times. The legislation prohibits waivers of these requirements and establishes penalties for non-compliance, including existing fines under R.S. 30:705. These changes directly affect pipeline companies operating in the state and aim to improve emergency response capabilities.

Maddy summaryHB 919 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus the state's professional dispensing fee per prescription, with a minimum $12 per prescription. It prohibits PBMs from owning or contracting with pharmacies (including subsidiaries) and mandates annual transparency reports detailing foreign subsidiaries and financial arrangements with drug manufacturers. PBMs violating these rules face fines up to $100,000 per violation for executives, with unlimited liability for large PBMs ($500M+ revenue). The law applies retroactively to prescriptions filled between January 1, 2025, and December 1, 2025, and becomes fully effective for new requirements in 2027. These provisions directly affect pharmacies, pharmacists, and PBMs operating in Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new governance requirements for Louisiana's public postsecondary education institutions, affecting university management boards and their oversight of core curricula, faculty hiring, and disciplinary processes. It mandates that management boards annually review core curriculum courses to ensure they meet specific criteria related to foundational knowledge and civic preparation, while also requiring public posting of job postings and resumes for tenure-track and leadership positions at least 30 days before board meetings. Additionally, the legislation limits the role of faculty deliberative bodies to advisory functions only, restricts their membership to tenured full professors, and prohibits using state funds to support administrative staff dedicated exclusively to these bodies. The bill also includes provisions that prevent institutions from expending certain funds unless specific conditions are met, with full implementation required by the 2027-2028 academic year.

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.