Rep. Rhonda Butler

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the membership structure of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to include representatives from three specific Native American tribes. It establishes a rotating system where one member each from the Pointe-Au-Chien Indian Tribe, the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation, and the United Houma Nation will serve on a two-year cycle, with the first terms beginning in 2024 and continuing through 2030. Additionally, the bill changes the number of appointed members on the council from two to three, adjusting the total composition to accommodate these new tribal representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of imported seafood in food served at schools. It directly affects school food programs by restricting the types of seafood that can be purchased and served to students. The key provision requires that any seafood served in schools must be sourced from within Louisiana rather than from other countries. This change aims to support local fisheries and ensure that school meals rely on domestic seafood products.

Maddy summaryHB 103 requires certain public bodies, specifically city councils and their committees, to broadcast meetings live via television or the internet to improve public access. The bill includes a specific provision stating that there is no requirement to broadcast committee meetings where the members are volunteers. This legislation aims to increase transparency by mandating live streaming for eligible government gatherings while creating an exception for volunteer-led committees.

Maddy summaryHB 426 modifies the Code of Governmental Ethics to create a specific exception for elected officials who work as employees for entities that are normally prohibited from doing business with the government. This change allows a public official to receive compensation from such an entity if they are a regular employee, their pay is not tied to the specific government transaction, they do not hold a leadership position in the entity, own less than one percent of it, and do not vote on or manage the deal. The bill directly affects elected members of public bodies who hold other jobs, providing them with a clearer path to maintain employment without automatically violating ethics rules. By adding these conditions, the legislation narrows the scope of prohibited compensation while maintaining restrictions on officials who have a significant financial stake or decision-making power in the transaction.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that condemns antisemitic violence on college campuses and expresses support for Jewish students, faculty, staff, and communities within the state. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal statement of the legislature's stance on the issue. The text includes minor clerical amendments to correct punctuation and remove specific lines from the original draft. As a non-binding resolution, it does not have the force of law but functions as an official expression of concern and solidarity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates specialty license plates in New Orleans dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation efforts. The plates will generate revenue, with the funds specifically designated to provide grants to licensed wildlife rehabilitators and centers through the NOLA Wildlife Center. The legislation also adjusts the number of plates available and clarifies the name of the organization receiving the money.

Maddy summaryHB 608 proposes the Women's Safety and Protection Act, a legislative measure designed to enhance safety protections for women in Louisiana. The bill includes several amendments that refine legal definitions and procedures, such as clarifying references to correctional facilities and adjusting administrative process terminology. By making these specific textual changes, the legislation aims to update existing civil law frameworks to better address women's safety concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specialty license plate in Louisiana featuring the text "LSU Baseball National Champions." The legislation directs the Department of Public Safety to design and sell these plates, which will be available to any vehicle owner in the state. By adding this new option to the list of approved specialty plates, the bill allows drivers to display their support for the LSU baseball team on their vehicles. The text of the law is updated to include this specific plate design within the existing regulations governing vehicle license plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a small change to the state constitution to adjust the deadline for passing spending bills. Currently, the law requires such bills to be enacted by November 5, but this amendment would move that date to December 7. The change directly affects the legislative process by giving lawmakers an extra month to finalize budgets before the fiscal year begins. No new programs or funding levels are created; the bill only alters the procedural timeline for how appropriations are approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a law regarding the protection of agricultural land from foreign adversaries by adding a specific legal definition for "land." The change requires that the term "land" in the statute be interpreted according to the definition found in R.S. 3:3602. This clarification directly affects how agricultural properties are identified and protected under the existing legislation. The bill is currently under consideration by the Committee on Appropriations after being referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.