Rep. Josh Carlson

Maddy summaryHB 123 allows courts to defer costs and fees related to electronic filing systems. It specifically clarifies that courts can delay payments for these fees when using third-party vendors, not just direct court clerks. The bill modifies existing rules to include third-party vendors in the deferral process for electronic filing costs. This change directly affects courts and electronic filing service providers handling court documents.

Maddy summaryHB 137 expands telehealth access for emergency mental health evaluations in Louisiana by authorizing psychologists and medical psychologists to issue emergency certificates after a video conference exam. The bill requires a licensed healthcare professional to be physically present with the patient during the telehealth session to assist with necessary assessments. It directly affects patients needing immediate mental health or substance use disorder care who qualify as dangerous to self/others or gravely disabled. The law ensures patients receive medical clearance before admission to a treatment facility, maintaining safety standards while broadening provider eligibility for telehealth evaluations.

Maddy summaryHB 345 changes the deadline for residential property insurers to provide certain notices to homeowners, specifically shifting the required notice date from January to July. This directly affects homeowners receiving insurance notices and insurers who must comply with the timing requirement. The bill amends a provision in the current law to delay the notice deadline by six months, aiming to align with seasonal insurance renewal cycles. The change was approved by the Insurance Committee and passed to third reading in April 2025. No other substantive policy changes are described in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 294 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Louisiana distributes severance taxes collected from natural resource extraction (like oil or gas). It would require 20% of these taxes (excluding sulfur, lignite, and timber) to be remitted to the parish where extraction occurs, removing the current $850,000 annual cap on payments. Instead, the maximum amount would increase each July 1 based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index. This directly affects parishes with resource extraction, allowing them to receive larger, inflation-adjusted payments starting in 2027. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 401 creates a dedicated "Insurance Fraud Investigation Dedicated Fund Account" by redirecting fees paid by insurers into this special fund. Insurers licensed to operate in Louisiana will pay these fees, with unspent funds at year-end refunded proportionally to each insurer based on their share of total fees collected. The bill repeals a previous fee reduction and specifies that funds in the account must be used exclusively for fraud investigation units, as authorized by the legislature. This bill directly affects all insurers conducting business in Louisiana by changing how their fees are collected and managed.

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 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 329 is a technical amendment to clarify language within existing insurance department funding provisions. It changes a reference from "Subparagraph" to "Paragraph" in a specific section of the law governing how insurance tax and fee proceeds are handled. The bill does not alter funding mechanisms or create new policy; it only corrects a procedural reference in the legislative text. This is a routine administrative adjustment with no direct impact on policy or affected parties.

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.