Rep. Chuck Owen

Maddy summaryHB 438 prohibits Louisiana insurance companies from using "institutional advertising expenses" when calculating insurance rates. These expenses are defined as broad marketing not aimed at specific products or consumer decision-making (e.g., general brand campaigns). The bill amends insurance rate regulations to require insurers to exclude such advertising costs from their rate calculations, focusing instead on operational expenses like acquisition and field supervision. This change applies to all insurers operating in Louisiana and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 590 clarifies that U.S. election campaigns cannot accept funding from foreign sources by amending language to explicitly prohibit contributions "by a person who is not a United States citizen." The bill directly affects candidates, political committees, and election campaigns that might receive foreign funding. Its key mechanism is a technical correction to remove ambiguous phrasing ("noncitizen") and replace it with clear, accessible language defining prohibited contributors. The bill does not create new penalties but ensures existing prohibitions against foreign election funding are unambiguous. (This is a substantive policy amendment, not a procedural bill.)

Maddy summaryHB 309 limits Louisiana state funding to nonprofits or private organizations (not state agencies or local governments) by requiring them to submit detailed funding requests by November 1 each year to specific legislative committees. It prohibits including such funding in the General Appropriation Bill unless the entity follows this process, including submitting a completed request form. Late requests may only be added with approval from budget committees before the legislative deadline. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all state funding requests for these entities.

Maddy summaryHB 558 amends the eligibility requirements for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides tuition assistance for college students. The bill adds specific violent and property crimes to the list of offenses that would disqualify applicants, including aggravated battery, second-degree robbery, and aggravated criminal damage to property. These changes directly affect students with certain criminal convictions who seek to qualify for the state-funded tuition program. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Education after recent committee amendments.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SCR 57) passed by the Louisiana State Legislature to express condolences for Steven J. Miguez, a businessman and community member from Iberia Parish, following his death on February 24, 2025. The resolution recognizes his life of service, including founding businesses like Iberia Crew Boat & Marine Service and Miguez Fuel, his competitive shooting achievements, and his family. It has no policy provisions or direct effect on laws or constituents - it solely offers legislative condolences to his family. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate (34-0) and passed through the House without amendments.

Maddy summaryHCR 24 creates a special legislative committee to study the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) and its operations. The bill specifically directs the committee to examine LHSAA's structure and impact on all Louisiana high schools, including public, private, and parochial institutions, as amended throughout the text. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that establishes a fact-finding body, with no immediate policy changes or direct effects on schools. The committee's work will inform future legislative decisions but does not alter current athletic association rules or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 98 is a resolution requesting the state Department of Education to study how the existing law banning student possession of telecommunications devices (like cell phones) during the instructional day impacts students. It directs the state superintendent of education to conduct this study and report findings to the bill’s author, either orally or in writing. This resolution does not change any current law but asks for an analysis of the existing phone ban’s effects. The resolution was recently passed by the committee and is scheduled for floor debate.

Maddy summaryHB 434 modifies Louisiana law to limit compensation for individuals involved in car accidents when the at-fault driver failed to maintain required auto insurance. Specifically, it adds a new provision stating that recovery limitations apply only to "general damages" (such as pain and suffering), not to other types of compensation like medical bills or lost wages. This change directly affects accident victims seeking damages from uninsured drivers, restricting the scope of recoverable losses. The bill amends Louisiana Revised Statute 32:866 to clarify this limitation in the legal framework for civil liability claims.

Maddy summaryHB 450 requires all motor vehicle insurers operating in Louisiana to reduce their bodily injury liability and property damage insurance rates by at least 2% in every service area. Insurers must file these reduced rates with the state insurance commissioner within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The rate reduction savings will apply to policyholders when they renew existing policies or purchase new coverage. This bill directly affects insurance companies and their customers by mandating a specific, uniform rate cut. The legislation does not address evidentiary rules as suggested by its title, focusing solely on insurer rate adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 431 requires motor vehicle insurers operating in Louisiana to reduce their combined bodily injury and property damage liability insurance rates by at least 2% in each service area. Insurers must file these adjusted rates with the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner within 60 days of the bill's effective date. These rate reductions apply to policyholders at the time of policy renewal or new policy issuance. The bill is currently in the legislative process (passed second reading with amendments) but has not yet become law.