Rep. Dewith Carrier

Maddy summaryHB 223 increases pay for Louisiana election workers, including polling place commissioners and parish board commissioners who serve during elections. It sets new daily rates: $300 for a polling place supervisor (commissioner-in-charge), $400 for supervisors in multiple precincts, $150 for some certified workers, $250 for others, and $85 for untrained staff. Parish board commissioners will receive $150 for high-turnout elections (with secretary of state approval), $100 for regular elections, and an additional $100 during declared emergencies. The bill also allows for an extra $150 per day for election commissioners during emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 154 criminalizes the possession, distribution, and manufacture of kratom by classifying its active compounds (7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine) as Schedule I controlled substances. It directly affects individuals who use or distribute kratom products, with limited exceptions for medical prescriptions under specific state law. The bill imposes fines and prison terms ranging from up to 3 years for small amounts to up to 5 years for larger quantities, while allowing possession of small amounts (under 20 grams) to be punished by fines only. It replaces previous exemptions for kratom and defines "kratom" broadly to include any substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant or containing its active compounds. The law takes effect on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It expresses the Louisiana House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Phil Alexander Robertson, a Duck Commander founder and "Duck Dynasty" star who was a prominent figure in northeast Louisiana. The resolution honors his life, family values, faith, and economic impact through his business, highlighting his 60-year marriage to Kay and his role as a community leader. It has no effect on laws or regulations, serving solely as a symbolic gesture of respect.

Maddy summarySB 72 authorizes the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to issue bonds for capital projects like building renovations or equipment purchases. The bill requires colleges to provide a 12% match of the total project cost from their own funds, meaning the colleges themselves must cover at least one-eighth of each project's expenses. This directly affects the colleges within the system, as they must contribute financially to qualify for the bond financing. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (37-0) and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 219 eliminates a requirement for Louisiana hunters to maintain evidence of a deer's sex (such as the head or sex organs) after validating their hunting tag. This change directly affects hunters who take deer in Louisiana, simplifying post-hunt handling. The bill modifies existing law to state that sex identification must only be kept until the deer tag is validated, not beyond. It also clarifies that portions of deer divided in camp must include the hunter's name, address, and license number, but not the license number on portions immediately consumed.

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 24 amends Louisiana's Teachers' Retirement System to change the optional retirement plan's contribution rules. It requires teachers enrolled in the optional plan to pay the full annual actuarial cost of participation, rather than a portion. Additionally, the bill establishes that if a teacher elects to switch from the optional plan to the regular retirement plan, their contributions to the optional plan stop after the election month, and they immediately transition to the regular plan with employer contributions resuming. This directly affects current participants in the optional retirement plan who choose to switch or remain in the plan.

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 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.