Rep. Beryl Amedée

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the U.S. Congress and the United States Forest Service to permit the use of dogs for hunting within the Kisatchie National Forest. It also requests that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries collaborate with the Forest Service to ensure this hunting practice is conducted safely and sustainably. The legislation does not create new laws but serves as a formal recommendation to federal and state agencies regarding hunting regulations in the specified forest area.

Maddy summarySB 388 prohibits Louisiana state agencies from entering contracts with foreign entities designated as adversaries or terrorist organizations by the U.S. government (e.g., under federal designations like 15 C.F.R. 791.4 or 8 U.S.C. 1189). It grants the governor emergency authority to immediately cancel or suspend such contracts if they pose security risks to Louisiana, requiring consultation with homeland security and legal officials before action. The bill defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "state contract" (covering goods, services, or technology) and allows affected parties to seek court review if they dispute cancellation decisions. This directly affects state agencies entering contracts and foreign entities linked to U.S.-designated threats.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study how flooding corn fields to attract ducks affects the migration patterns and population levels of waterfowl. The bill specifically targets hunters in Louisiana who intentionally flood standing crops, a practice the state believes may be altering natural bird routes and reducing the number of ducks reaching the region. It also requests that the federal agency reinstate previous rules that limited hunting over such flooded agricultural areas. This legislative action is non-binding and serves only to urge the federal government to conduct an evaluation and consider adjusting regulations accordingly.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new specialty license plate called "Homeschool Proud" for vehicles in Louisiana. The plate can be issued to any Louisiana citizen who applies, provided at least 1,000 people request it. The design will feature the words "Homeschool Proud" at the bottom, a Homeschool Louisiana symbol on the left, and five alphanumeric digits in the center. Each plate costs an additional $25 annual fee that goes to Homeschool Louisiana, plus a $3.50 administrative fee kept by the state. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections will manage the plate program and update their systems to issue the plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies and Medicaid managed care organizations from requiring prior authorization for certain generic medications when prescribed by board-certified physicians. The law defines a board-certified physician as a doctor certified by a recognized medical specialty board and a generic medication as a drug chemically equivalent to a brand-name drug approved by the FDA. Under this legislation, insurers must cover these specific generic prescriptions without needing additional approval from the insurance company before dispensing or reimbursing them. The restrictions apply to new insurance policies and contracts starting January 1, 2027, with existing plans required to comply by January 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 29 requires Louisiana coroners to perform autopsies on infants under one year and children under fifteen who die unexpectedly without explanation. The autopsies must include toxicology, microscopic exams, and review of immunization records from the state registry, with coroners documenting recent immunizations in the report. Coroner findings of sudden infant death (SIDS) or similar causes must be reported to local health units within 48 hours and to the CDC/NIH registry. Parents may object in writing to an autopsy, but coroners may override this if public health or safety requires it. The bill directly affects coroners, health departments, and the state immunization registry.

Maddy summaryHB 126 allows courts in Louisiana to permit facility dogs to accompany specific witnesses during testimony. It directly affects minors under 18, individuals with developmental disabilities (as defined by law), and victims of sex offenses (as defined in state law). The bill requires courts to permit a facility dog if available while these witnesses testify, aiming to help reduce anxiety. The provision applies during court proceedings and does not change existing legal standards or outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 125 increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted in Louisiana. It raises the annual payment rate from $25,000 to $40,000 per year incarcerated, with a new maximum total of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026 (up from $400,000 previously). It also allows those convicted before July 2022 to apply for supplemental payments (up to $40,000 annually) by August 1, 2027, and offers a $250,000 lump sum option for new claims filed after July 2022. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents who were wrongfully imprisoned and seek financial redress under state law.

Maddy summarySB 4 changes Louisiana's water fluoridation policy by ending the state mandate for fluoridation in public water systems. Instead, it requires local voter approval via election for any system to fluoridate, with exceptions for systems already meeting natural fluoride levels. This directly affects public water systems serving over 5,000 connections that currently fluoridate or need to adjust fluoride levels. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, replacing the previous requirement with a local decision process.

Maddy summaryHB 1253, known as the Gracey Claire Rushing Act, updates Louisiana laws to improve how coroners document and handle human remains and internal organs. The bill requires detailed autopsy reports that include specific personal information, medical findings, and a record of any retained organs, while keeping these reports private except for law enforcement or court orders. Family members and the decedent's physician are granted the right to receive a copy of the report upon request. The legislation is named in memory of a child whose death in 2009 prompted calls for better safeguards in the treatment of remains.