Rep. Jerome Zeringue

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that asks the U.S. Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, which would directly benefit Louisiana's commercial fishing and seafood processing industries. The proposed act would allow fishermen and processors to access USDA loans and grants currently reserved for farming, enabling them to buy vessels, upgrade facilities, and cover operating costs. It also expands USDA programs to include wild-caught fish and supports businesses that provide services to the fishing industry. As a memorial resolution, this document serves as a formal request from the Louisiana Legislature rather than enacting the policy changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for committing arson against religious buildings in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals charged with setting fire to places of worship and law enforcement officials who prosecute such cases. The law establishes minimum prison sentences of two years without parole for simple arson, with a maximum of 30 years, and sets higher penalties of 12 to 30 years without parole if the fire causes injury or death. These provisions apply to anyone convicted of the crime under the amended state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state administrative rules to allow instantly redeemable coupons and rebates for malt beverages containing 6% or less alcohol by volume, which were previously restricted to mail-in redemption only. The change directly affects manufacturers and distributors of low-alcohol beverages like beer and cider, permitting them to offer immediate redemption options at their own expense. Key provisions maintain limits on coupon values based on package size and require proof of purchase for multi-product promotions, while prohibiting dealers from paying any costs associated with these offers. The resolution directs the state register to update the official administrative code to reflect these policy adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana laws governing prekindergarten programs by removing the requirement that nonpublic prekindergarten programs be licensed as early learning centers, while applying child safety and welfare standards to all school-based prekindergarten programs. The legislation allows the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve nonpublic prekindergarten programs and authorizes the board to adopt emergency rules when necessary. Key provisions include revised child-to-staff ratios that vary by age group and a phased implementation schedule, with stricter ratios taking effect starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill also clarifies definitions for "camp" and "early learning center" to distinguish between standalone programs and those attached to schools.

Maddy summaryHB 74 proposes creating a "Spectrum Alert" system in Louisiana to assist law enforcement in locating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who go missing. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a public notification system that verifies a child’s missing status, issues community alerts via text/email/flyers, and coordinates with private entities. It also mandates specialized training for officers on ASD responses and de-escalation tactics, while granting legal immunity to participating law enforcement, broadcasters, and others. The bill directly affects children with ASD, their families, and law enforcement agencies across Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new exemption to Louisiana's public records law to protect personal information from people who enter lotteries for hunting and fishing licenses. It prevents government agencies from releasing private details like names and addresses of individuals who participate in these specific license draws. The change applies only to lottery applicants and does not affect other public records or general license holder information.

Maddy summarySB 404 is a technical amendment bill that makes minor corrections to the text of an existing eye care law. The bill does not introduce new policies or programs but instead fixes specific wording errors in the statute to ensure legal clarity. These changes include correcting pronoun references, removing incomplete sentences, and updating terminology from "agreeance" to "agreement." The legislation directly affects eye care providers by refining the language of regulations they must follow, though it does not alter their obligations or rights.

Maddy summarySB 32 establishes the Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within Louisiana's Department of Health to improve support for families experiencing pregnancy loss or infant death. The bill requires hospitals providing maternity care to receive staff training on supporting grieving parents, access to bereavement resources (like counseling referrals), and perinatal bereavement devices. It prioritizes hospitals serving high-risk patients, delivering many babies, or lacking current bereavement resources. The initiative can fund these services using voluntary monies, including federal grants and donations, without imposing new taxes.

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 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.