Maddy summaryHB 165 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would require Louisiana voters to approve changing the state constitution to create a new lottery game specifically dedicated to funding benefits for Louisiana resident military veterans and their families. If passed, the amendment would direct annual appropriations from the Lottery Proceeds Fund - using revenue generated exclusively from this new game - to support veterans' programs, while also limiting funds for problem-gambling services to $500,000 annually. The bill does not alter existing lottery proceeds but mandates a new dedicated funding stream for veterans through a separate lottery game. Voters will decide on this amendment in the November 2026 statewide election. This is a procedural constitutional change requiring voter approval, not an immediate policy implementation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Louisiana Department of Health to examine how current laws and guidelines are applied to emergency pregnancy medications in hospitals. The review will specifically look at prescription patterns in different areas of the state and how drug use has changed since the passage of Act No. 246 in 2024. The request involves gathering input from hospital administrators, patients, and their advocates to ensure the regulations are working as intended.
Maddy summaryThis Louisiana concurrent resolution asks federal officials to officially classify all work in the crawfish industry as agricultural labor. Currently, many crawfish tasks are treated as non-agricultural, which forces employers to use a visa program with strict limits and long delays. The bill seeks to change these rules so that crawfish farmers can hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2A program, which is designed for seasonal farm jobs and includes requirements for housing and wages. If approved, this change would allow the industry to secure a reliable workforce for the upcoming 2026 harvest season.
Maddy summaryHB 149 designates a specific segment of United States Highway 190 Business East in Slidell, Louisiana (from Beech Avenue/Interstate 10 Service Road to Military Road) as the "Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation only if local or private funds cover the costs (up to $2,250 per sign). This is a purely ceremonial bill with no substantive policy changes, solely honoring a police officer through road naming.
Maddy summaryHB 232 updates Louisiana's process for minors (under 18) to obtain employment certificates. It replaces school-based requirements with a standardized digital form, requiring minors to provide parent/guardian consent and age verification (like a birth certificate) through the state department. Employers must keep the certificate for 14 days after a minor’s job ends, and the state can revoke certificates for improper issuance or illegal employment. The bill removes all obligations from schools and school boards regarding these certificates. It takes effect on August 2, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 305 requires Louisiana's Board of Regents and state agencies like Louisiana Works to create a free, public online dashboard showing how college programs connect to job outcomes. The dashboard will display data such as graduate employment rates, typical wages, and alignment with high-demand jobs, disaggregated by program. It aims to help students, families, and schools make informed decisions while allowing policymakers to assess workforce needs. The bill explicitly states it won’t mandate program changes, force performance funding, or disclose personal student information.
Maddy summarySB 376, the "Learn and Earn Act," creates a new program allowing Louisiana public high schools to partner with businesses for paid, credit-bearing work-based learning opportunities. It requires school boards to establish career practicums through written agreements with businesses that ensure fair value exchange (e.g., businesses provide equivalent benefit for school resources used) and align with state-approved career pathways. The program directly affects high school students - especially in rural or underserved communities - by offering compensated job training in fields like healthcare or technology while meeting educational requirements. Key provisions mandate that these practicums operate exclusively within defined instructional boundaries, prioritize student safety/supervision, and integrate financial literacy and employability skills.
Maddy summaryHB 629 creates a special Louisiana license plate for the Krewe of Athena Carnival Club, available to any Louisiana resident who applies and pays fees. The plate requires a minimum of 1,000 applicants to be issued, with an annual $25 fee (plus a $3.50 handling fee) collected by the state. All $25 fees go directly to the Krewe of Athena to fund scholarships for debutantes, with the plate design including the words "Krewe of Athena" and following state plate regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 553 increases the size of Louisiana's Assessors' Certification Program Committee from five to eleven members, with specific appointments from the Louisiana Assessors Association, Tax Commission, and certified assessors. It expands the list of approved courses for both initial certification (e.g., IAAO courses 101 and 2, Appraisal Institute 400) and recertification, requiring 59-74 hours of continuing education including USPAP training. The bill mandates that all certified assessors and deputy assessors must meet these updated education requirements to maintain their certification, with recertification needed every five years. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Maddy summaryHB 346 renames a specific section of U.S. Highway 171 in Florien, Louisiana (from Louisiana Highway 118 to Sandra Lane) as the "Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway." The bill directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage for this redesignation, provided local or private funds cover the department's actual costs (up to $750 per sign). This is a procedural naming bill with no substantive policy changes affecting residents, programs, or funding. It solely honors Speaker Joe Salter through a highway designation.