Rep. Chuck Owen

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include the substantive provisions or policy details of HB 371. While the bill title references "free exercise of religion" and it has progressed through committee and legislative stages, the bill text, summary, and specific mechanisms are missing from the given information. Without details on what the bill actually changes or who it affects, a factual summary of its policy content cannot be created. Procedural details (like amendments and committee actions) are noted, but not the concrete policy changes required for this summary.

Maddy summaryHB 36 modifies Louisiana's legal definition of "illegal controlled substance" to include consumable hemp products that violate specific state laws (R.S. 3:1482-1483). It creates legal protections for businesses selling these products by blocking civil lawsuits in three specific situations: if a business was renewing a valid permit (with application under review), if the product was approved by the Louisiana Department of Health at the time of the incident, or if the product had prior approval without revocation for over 60 days. These exemptions do not apply if a minor is injured. The bill directly affects hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and their liability in civil cases, aiming to reduce lawsuits over regulatory compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 575 amends liability provisions to allow the biological or legal father of an unborn child to sue for damages if a pregnancy is terminated unlawfully. This bill directly affects fathers who may now pursue legal action against those responsible for an unlawful pregnancy termination. The key change, reflected in the Senate amendment, expands the group eligible to file such lawsuits beyond current provisions. The bill is pending further legislative action after passing committee amendments. (Note: This summary reflects the bill's current proposed language, not enacted law.)

Maddy summarySB 126 adds a specific exemption for charter schools from reporting school mapping data requirements under Louisiana law (R.S. 17:416.16.1). The bill directly affects charter schools operating under Louisiana's Chapter 3996, exempting them from this data collection mandate unless otherwise required by their approved charter. Key provisions clarify that charter schools are exempt from "all statutory mandates" applicable to public schools, with this mapping data requirement explicitly listed as one of the exempted provisions. This change modifies existing law to remove a specific reporting obligation for charter schools, while public schools remain subject to the mapping data requirement. The bill focuses on administrative clarity for charter schools within existing legal frameworks.

Maddy summarySB 73 amends Louisiana law to require environmental commissioners to give "substantial consideration" to local government comments during public comment periods or hearings for environmental matters. This change directly affects state environmental commissioners and local governments, ensuring their input is formally weighed in decision-making. The bill does not create new carbon sequestration programs or policies - its focus is solely on procedural changes to public engagement. The amendment was passed unanimously in the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 556 is a technical correction bill that updates outdated legal references in Louisiana law regarding the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). It revises specific statute citations (such as R.S. 48:23, 76(C), 92, and 94) to align with current code sections, ensuring DOTD's operational procedures reference the correct laws. This procedural bill does not change DOTD's duties, funding, or public-facing policies - it only corrects statutory language for administrative accuracy. The bill affects the DOTD's internal operations by ensuring its legal framework matches current state statutes. (Note: This is a technical amendment, not a substantive policy change.)

Maddy summaryHB 690 is a procedural bill that amends Louisiana law to include specific state boards in the process for administering Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) medical activities. It directs the Surgeon General to draft rules involving the Louisiana State Law Institute, State Board of Medical Examiners, Board of Pharmacy, and State Board of Nursing. The bill does not create new policy but clarifies which entities must be consulted when implementing EUA protocols for healthcare providers. It directly affects these four state boards by designating their role in EUA rulemaking. The bill passed the Senate with strong support (73-22) in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 684 restricts the use of seclusion and physical restraint for students with disabilities in schools, requiring staff to first implement behavioral interventions. The bill clarifies that such interventions must address the student's behavior before restraint is considered, with a minor technical amendment correcting wording from "Behavior" to "Behavioral" in the text. This is a procedural adjustment with no new costs or policy changes, as noted by "EN NO IMPACT," and it directly affects school staff and students with disabilities in public education settings. The bill passed the House unanimously (99-0) and is now pending in the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 264 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers to increase transparency around drug pricing and compensation practices. It prohibits PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for claims (Amendment 7) and mandates drug manufacturers to notify the state commissioner of significant price increases (over 15% for brand drugs or "specialty" drugs) with explanations (Amendment 16). The bill also creates a fund for enforcement (Amendment 3) and requires PBMs to notify pharmacies of payment errors and allow claim corrections (Amendment 10). These provisions directly affect pharmacies, PBMs, and drug manufacturers by altering how drug costs and rebates are disclosed and managed.

Maddy summaryHB 686 appears to be a technical amendment to lobbying disclosure requirements related to foreign adversaries, based on the bill title and amendment details. The bill primarily corrects references in existing law, such as changing "Part 7.4" to "Part 791.4" in federal regulations and updating bill numbers from "24:53.1" to "24:51." It does not introduce new policy requirements but adjusts existing statutory language for accuracy. This bill directly affects lobbying entities required to disclose foreign adversary connections under current law. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, scheduled for floor debate.