Rep. Jerome Zeringue

Maddy summaryHB 238 repeals a rule that previously barred former school board members from being hired as certified classroom teachers or school psychologists by their former school district. It removes both the employment restriction and a population limit that capped how many such exceptions could apply. This change directly affects former school board members seeking these specific education roles and the school boards that would employ them. The bill simplifies the hiring process by eliminating these barriers in the ethics code.

Maddy summaryHB 851 prohibits intentional releases of 12 or more balloons at a single event, imposing fines similar to other littering violations. It specifically exempts balloon releases by people under 17, biodegradable balloons, indoor releases, scientific/weather balloons (by agencies/institutions), and balloons with tracking devices. The law applies to event organizers planning such releases but does not affect typical balloon use or accidental releases. This amendment to Louisiana's littering statute clarifies penalties for mass balloon releases while allowing for common exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 801 creates a "Classic Black" specialty license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles, available to any Louisiana resident who applies for it. The plate features a black background with white numbers and "LOUISIANA" at the top, and requires a $25 annual fee (plus $3.50 handling) on top of standard license taxes. All fees collected will fund emergency vehicle operations training for local governments at the Donald J. Thibodeaux Training Center in Holden. The plate is restricted to passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs, motorcycles, and vans, but requires at least 1,000 applicants before issuance.

Maddy summaryHB 360 designates a specific segment of Louisiana Highway 41 in Pearl River (from Lock 1 Road to LA 36) as the "Sgt. Michael J. Guillory Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation, provided local or private funds cover the costs (up to $750 per sign). This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, directly affecting only the named highway segment and its signage. The bill focuses solely on honoring Sgt. Michael J. Guillory through a permanent road designation.

Maddy summarySB 104 designates a specific segment of Louisiana Highway 1 in Pointe Coupee Parish (from the intersection with Highway 78 to the Pointe Coupee Parish line) as the "Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway" to honor the renowned author. The bill requires the state transportation department to install signage only if local or private funds cover the costs (capped at $750 per sign for materials and installation). This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, directly affecting the designated highway corridor and its signage. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryHB 594 designates February 24 as SCN2A Awareness Day in Louisiana to raise public recognition of SCN2A, a rare genetic condition affecting children. The bill does not create new programs or funding but formally establishes an annual observance. It directly affects the state government and public through official recognition of this health awareness day. This is a symbolic, non-binding designation with no policy changes or financial impact.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 356 designates the Bayou Dularge Bascule Bridge on Louisiana Highway 315 in Houma as the "Elward T. Brady, Jr. Memorial Bridge." The bill directly affects the bridge's official name and requires the Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting the new name, provided local or private funds cover costs up to $750 per sign. This is a commemorative bill with no substantive policy changes, solely honoring Elward T. Brady, Jr. through the bridge's name.

Maddy summarySB 244 would establish a new recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana, separate from existing commercial hunting. It requires hunters to obtain a special alligator hunting license and recreational harvest tags issued by the Louisiana Wildlife Commission, and prohibits hunting outside designated seasons, without proper licenses/tags, or using illegal methods. The bill allows the Commission to set specific seasons, harvest quotas, residency rules, and permitted hunting hours by geographic area. Violations would be classified as a class three violation, with penalties specified in the bill. This directly affects Louisiana residents and visitors seeking to hunt alligators recreationally under new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Louisiana Urban Search and Rescue Program within the Office of State Fire Marshal to coordinate disaster response efforts for locating and rescuing victims trapped by natural or man-made disasters. The program will be led by a director appointed by the state fire marshal, who will hire staff and develop policies for response teams, training, equipment, and operational procedures. Funding for the program comes from legislative appropriations placed in a dedicated state treasury fund, with unspent money carried over and invested annually. The bill does not replace existing emergency services but adds a specialized urban search and rescue component to complement current disaster response capabilities.