Rep. Rhonda Butler

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 190 designates specific road segments in certain parishes to honor fallen law enforcement officers. The bill amends existing road descriptions to clarify the designated sections (e.g., changing "overpass to" to "overpass and"). It has no funding requirements or new obligations - it solely provides a commemorative name for existing roadways. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate (39-0) and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 508 would provide free parking at Port of New Orleans cruise terminals for Louisiana veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or more. To qualify, veterans must show proof of disability (via a military honor license plate or VA-certified letter) and Louisiana residency (using a driver's license or ID card). The exemption applies only to designated Port-owned parking lots at cruise terminals, not general parking, and expires after seven days without charge - longer stays incur fees. The bill also requires the Port to publicize this exemption through brochures, websites, and signage. This directly affects eligible disabled veterans using the Port's cruise terminals.

Maddy summaryHB 92 authorizes the Acadiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission to name the new laboratory building after former commission president Martin Bofill "Bo" Duhé. The bill honors Duhé for his service on the commission (2015-2021) and his role in securing funding for the 40,000-square-foot facility. It does not change policies or affect residents, but formally designates the building's name. The measure is purely commemorative, with no substantive legislative impact.

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 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 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.