Rep. Wilford Carter

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (HB 581) would allow Louisiana's legislature to provide supplemental pay to probation and parole officers employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It directly affects sworn, commissioned law enforcement officers working in those specific roles within the department. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election, and if approved, would take effect on July 1, 2027, enabling future legislative action to fund this supplemental pay. The change modifies the state constitution to explicitly permit such supplemental compensation beyond standard pay plans.

Maddy summaryHB 922 prevents Louisiana utilities from raising rates for residential customers due to new electricity demands from large data centers. It requires utilities to charge data centers directly for all associated costs (like new power plants or transmission lines) through separate contracts or rate classes, ensuring households do not bear these expenses. The Public Service Commission must create rules mandating 15-year contracts with data centers, prohibiting cross-subsidization, and requiring independent reviews of utility investments. The bill applies to new data center projects starting from its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 520 requires Louisiana district clerks of court to provide electronic access to minute entries about violent crimes and sex offenses for cases filed after January 1, 2027. This access is specifically for court officers, not the general public, and must be transmitted to the state's online portal for clerks' records. The bill amends existing rules to add these offense categories to the information shared with court officers. It does not change public access to criminal records, which remains limited to minute entries for all criminal cases (excluding traffic violations) filed after 2020. The policy creates a formal process for sharing specific criminal case details within the justice system.

Maddy summaryHB 554 establishes a tiered system of civil fines for healthcare facilities in Louisiana that violate safety and operational standards. It categorizes violations by severity: Class A (causing death/serious harm) carries up to $2,500 for a first offense and $10,500 daily for repeats; Class B (high risk of harm) up to $2,500/$6,000; Class C (potential harm) up to $2,000/$4,000; and Class D (administrative issues) up to $200/$500. The bill also imposes separate daily penalties for late reporting of abuse, neglect, or deaths, and requires the Louisiana Department of Health to publish an annual report on penalties assessed and repeat offenders. This directly affects hospitals, nursing homes, and other licensed healthcare facilities by increasing accountability for safety lapses.

Maddy summarySB 365 creates Louisiana's Voting Rights Act, prohibiting political subdivisions (like parishes, municipalities, and school districts) and state agencies from implementing election policies that suppress voting or dilute the voting power of protected classes (defined as racial, ethnic, or language minorities). The bill establishes the Louisiana Voting Rights Commission to enforce these prohibitions, requiring election policies to avoid creating disparities in voter access or participation for minority groups. Key provisions include banning policies that intentionally or unintentionally reduce minority voters' ability to participate or elect preferred candidates, with exceptions only if a policy is necessary for a compelling government interest and no less discriminatory alternative exists. The law applies to all election-related actions, from registration to ballot counting, and sets clear standards for evaluating potential violations.

Maddy summaryHB 516 limits recovery for damages in motor vehicle accidents when the at-fault driver lacks required auto insurance. It prohibits recovery of the first $115,000 for bodily injury or property damage from uninsured drivers, and if an uninsured driver sues and wins up to $115,000, they must pay all court costs. The bill also ensures insurers can seek repayment for amounts paid beyond the $115,000 cap for both bodily injury and property damage claims. This directly affects uninsured drivers, their victims, and insurance companies handling accident claims.

Maddy summaryHB 570 references existing requirements in R.S. 51:1773 regarding minors' use of applications, directing that developers comply with those provisions. The bill's amendments (amending grammar and terminology) do not introduce new policy changes but adjust the bill's language to align with the referenced law. The bill directly affects app developers by requiring adherence to established regulations for minors' application use. No specific new mechanisms or policy changes are described in the provided context beyond referencing existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 356 creates the "Stated Value Homeowner's Policy Act," allowing insurers to offer a new type of homeowner's insurance policy. This policy would cover a home's actual value at the time of loss (rather than replacement cost), directly affecting homeowners who choose this option and insurers who provide it. The bill modifies existing language to clarify that any insurer offering this specific policy option must follow defined requirements. The key change is making the insurer's obligation to provide this option discretionary ("may" instead of "shall"), giving insurers flexibility in offering the policy.

Maddy summarySB 123 creates an income tax credit for Louisiana taxpayers who donate to public schools rated "D" or "F" in the previous year's accountability system. The credit covers 95% of the donation amount, which schools must use for specific educational needs like classroom materials, tutoring programs, child care, or health clinics. Schools must provide a receipt showing the donation amount and their grade, and the total credit value cannot exceed $10 million annually, issued on a first-come, first-served basis. This policy applies to donations made for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 540 clarifies the definition of "gross device revenue" for video poker machines under existing law. It specifies that this term means the total cash inserted into three video draw poker devices over a consecutive three-month period, explicitly stating this definition does not affect how "net device revenue" is calculated. The bill directly affects casinos and regulators who use these revenue metrics for compliance or taxation under Louisiana's gambling statutes (referencing R.S. 27:402). This is a definitional amendment to ensure consistent application of current regulations, not a new policy change. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Appropriations after recent committee amendments.