Maddy summaryHB 1200 establishes the Louisiana Rural Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program to help local governments and political subdivisions access federal grant money and secure loans for infrastructure projects. The bill creates a new state fund specifically to administer these loans and manage federal grants related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, targeting projects like water systems and drainage. It sets specific loan limits based on population size, allowing smaller communities to borrow up to $150,000 while adjusting caps for larger areas, and permits loans to include necessary matching funds. Additionally, the legislation expands the list of eligible agencies to include the Louisiana Department of Health and clarifies that funds must be secured before assistance is provided.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 84 requires all health insurance plans sold in Louisiana to cover prostate cancer screening for men aged 40-49 (as medically appropriate) and men over 50, following National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. It mandates that insurers cover these screenings without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees, including deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The law applies to new policies starting January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects Louisiana health insurers and their policyholders by guaranteeing no-cost access to recommended prostate cancer screenings.
Maddy summarySB 105 amends Louisiana's TOPS program to expand eligibility for the TOPS-Tech Award to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. military installations located in Louisiana. To qualify, veterans must earn a 17+ ACT score (or equivalent SAT/ACT WorkKeys silver level) and submit their DD-214 discharge documents. The bill specifically applies to the 2020-2023 academic years and targets veterans who served at Louisiana military bases. It modifies existing eligibility rules without changing funding or creating new benefits, focusing solely on qualifying veterans for technical college financial aid.
Maddy summarySB 34, "Bryan's Call," establishes clear rules for missing child alerts in Louisiana. It requires AMBER Alerts for children 17 or younger in immediate danger of serious harm or death, and Level II alerts for other missing children cases that don’t meet AMBER criteria. Local police must assess alert types, but state police make the final decision and provide required training for law enforcement on using these systems. The law also grants legal immunity to broadcasters, cable operators, and law enforcement for actions related to Level II alerts.
Maddy summaryHB 168 establishes a structured transitional reentry program in Louisiana for female parolees, administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It directly affects women who have served at least five years in prison, have no sex offense convictions, are within six months of release, have no recent disciplinary issues, and voluntarily agree to participate. The program aims to support their safe community reintegration through tailored preparation, requiring parole eligibility and adherence to department-established screening. This policy creates a formal pathway for eligible female parolees to access reentry services before release.
Maddy summaryHB 535 simplifies paternity acknowledgment for parents using hospital-based programs in Louisiana. It requires both parents to sign the form, which must be notarized (replacing the previous need for two witnesses), making the signed document legally valid for changing a child's paternity record with the state. This applies to parents aged 18 or older who choose to acknowledge paternity through hospitals. Minors under 18 are excluded and must follow other legal procedures to establish paternity. The bill changes the process to streamline legal recognition without altering parental rights or responsibilities.
Maddy summaryHB 680 updates Louisiana's workforce development system to align with federal requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It establishes a unified statewide planning process, replaces fragmented local workforce boards with a coordinated system, and allows the state to seek federal waivers to reduce administrative costs. The bill directs more funding toward direct job training and employment services (rather than overhead) and requires Louisiana Works to prioritize measurable employment outcomes for workers and employers. This affects state agencies, local workforce boards, businesses seeking skilled workers, and job seekers needing training.
Maddy summaryHB 39 requires all Louisiana peace officers seeking certification to be U.S. citizens, directly affecting law enforcement applicants and current officers needing certification. The bill adds a citizenship requirement to existing certification standards under Louisiana law (§2404.4), specifying that applicants must be U.S. citizens as defined in federal law (42 USC §9102(18)). It does not alter training or other existing qualifications but mandates citizenship as a new baseline for certification. This policy change applies to all law enforcement peace officers in Louisiana, including those employed by local police departments and sheriff's offices.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes the students, faculty, and parents of the Lafayette Parish School System for winning first place in the Louisiana Governor's Games Elementary State Championship Fitness Meet. It highlights the parish's achievement by noting they scored the highest points among all participating parishes in the state competition. The resolution serves as an official congratulatory gesture from the House of Representatives rather than establishing new laws or funding.
Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives regarding the tragic loss of eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana. It specifically names the eight victims and describes their personal qualities to honor their memories. The bill is a symbolic gesture intended to offer comfort to the families and friends of the deceased.