Rep. Rhonda Butler

Maddy summaryHB 640 creates the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction within the state Department of Transportation. The bill grants this new office authority to use emergency procurement procedures for highway projects until January 1, 2026, mirroring existing rules for the broader transportation department. This directly affects state transportation operations by establishing a dedicated unit with specific buying powers for highway construction needs. The bill focuses on administrative structure and procurement processes, not on changing road standards or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 556 is a technical correction bill that updates outdated legal references in Louisiana law regarding the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).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 502 requires registrars of voters in Louisiana parishes to report to their local parish governing authority upon request and to appear before that authority when asked. This bill directly affects local election officials responsible for voter registration. The key provision adds a new duty (under R.S. 18:58(E)) for registrars to provide information and appear before parish governing bodies, clarifying their reporting obligations. The bill does not change compensation, evaluation, or removal procedures for registrars. As a procedural update to election official duties, it has no budgetary impact.

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 326 amends Louisiana's Cosmetology Act by changing the term "licensed" to "registered" in two specific sections of the law. This technical correction affects cosmetology professionals and the state board regulating the industry by updating the terminology used in the statute. The bill does not create new requirements or alter existing regulations - it only adjusts the language for consistency. The amendments were approved by the committee (15-0) and passed to third reading on April 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 496 modifies auto insurance requirements to allow drivers a temporary gap in coverage of up to 90 days without penalty. It directly affects vehicle owners who may experience brief lapses in insurance payments, such as due to payment delays or administrative errors. The bill amends existing law to specify that coverage lapses exceeding 90 days remain subject to standard penalties. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026, or later if vetoed and overridden. This change provides limited flexibility for short-term coverage interruptions while maintaining the core requirement for continuous insurance.

Maddy summaryHB 126 modifies how Louisiana calculates state funding for parish councils on aging, increasing the minimum annual appropriation by $3.5 million to the Office of Elderly Affairs. This change directly affects local parish councils that provide services for seniors, ensuring they receive a higher guaranteed minimum funding level each year. The bill updates the funding formula to reflect this increased baseline amount, which must be included in the state budget. The policy change is a concrete financial adjustment to support aging services programs across Louisiana parishes.

Maddy summaryHR 327 requires the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity to submit quarterly reports on broadband infrastructure projects. These reports must detail consultant/vendor payments, grant recipient payments, all fund expenditures (including administrative costs), unexpended funds as of June 1, 2025, and funds eligible under specific statutes. The bill directly affects the broadband office, mandating transparency in how state funds are managed and spent on rural broadband projects. It does not create new programs or funding but establishes specific financial reporting requirements to track implementation progress. This is a transparency measure focused on accountability for existing broadband infrastructure funding.

Maddy summaryHCR 44 is a non-binding resolution urging the Louisiana State University School of Public Health to reconsider its recommended age for routine breast cancer screening. It does not change any current guidelines or mandate action; it simply asks the school to review its recommendations. The resolution is currently pending floor debate after passing committee review, but it has no legal effect on healthcare policies or patient care. This type of resolution expresses legislative opinion but does not alter medical practices.