Rep. Bryan Fontenot

Maddy summaryThis bill increases survivor benefits for families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who die while performing their official duties. It establishes a base payment of $350,000 to the surviving spouse, or to the children or estate if no spouse exists, with an additional $50,000 for each dependent child. The law requires officers and firefighters to complete beneficiary designation forms and specifies that payments come from the state's Self-Insurance Fund. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to deaths resulting from injuries sustained while protecting life and property during official activities.

Maddy summaryHB 953 amends Louisiana's plumbing licensing laws to update requirements for plumbers and related professionals. It establishes clear license tiers (residential, journeyman, master), requires a state registry for apprentice plumbers, and creates a new "water supply protection specialist" endorsement. The bill prevents local authorities from administering plumbing exams (preempting local exams), while allowing them to collect jurisdiction-specific fees. These changes directly affect plumbers seeking licensure, plumbing businesses employing licensed workers, and apprentices needing supervised training.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to transfer state-owned land in Jefferson Parish to the city of Gretna. The property in question is approximately twelve acres of riverfront land located near the intersection of First Street and Huey P. Long Boulevard. The transfer excludes mineral rights and allows the state to include specific conditions or agreements related to the sale or lease of the land. Additionally, the bill amends the original text to ensure the new Jefferson Parish location is included in the authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana law to clarify how marshals can appoint deputy marshals and outlines the rules for their compensation and oversight. It allows marshals to issue commissions to deputy marshals who will have the same powers as the marshal, but this appointment requires approval from the local governing authority where the marshal has jurisdiction. The bill also establishes that the local governing authority must insure approved deputy marshals and determine their salary, which cannot exceed the marshal's salary. Additionally, it specifies that the marshal remains responsible for the actions of their deputies and allows marshals to use certain office funds to pay deputy salaries or hire additional deputies.

Maddy summaryHB 119 makes it a crime to unlawfully share, sell, or possess AI-generated images of another person that show nudity or intimate body parts without authorization, with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate. It directly affects anyone creating or distributing such AI images without permission, especially targeting cases involving minors (under 17), which carry harsher penalties. The law imposes penalties of up to one year in prison for general violations and up to five years (with at least one year mandatory) if the victim is a minor. It also adds new provisions to existing laws about "sexting" involving AI-generated intimate images. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these actions without addressing broader policy impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 956 amends Louisiana's fireworks laws to enhance safety through stricter licensing, definitions, and permit requirements. It restricts retail sales to only 1.4G fireworks (per national safety standards), requires all public displays (like concerts or events) to obtain permits from the state fire marshal (costing $200), and mandates that operators - such as those managing indoor "proximate displays" - hold specialized licenses ($52,000 for new special effects operators). The bill also requires $1 million in insurance for display permits, enforces NFPA storage rules for fireworks, and bans specific high-risk items like cherry bombs or large firecrackers. These changes directly affect retailers, event organizers, and fireworks operators by increasing regulatory oversight and costs.

Maddy summaryHB 719 mandates minimum staffing levels for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) across all 42 judicial districts in Louisiana, including Orleans Parish (New Orleans). The bill specifies exact minimum numbers - such as 35 ADAs for the First Judicial District and 83 for Orleans Parish - requiring district attorneys to appoint at least these numbers in each district. It also requires approval from the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys before implementation, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects district attorneys’ offices by setting enforceable staffing requirements, without altering legal procedures or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHB 799 establishes new boiler safety regulations in Louisiana, directly affecting boiler operators, inspectors, and manufacturers. It grants the state fire marshal exclusive authority to enforce safety standards, requiring annual external inspections for all boilers and internal inspections for high-pressure systems (with limited extensions under specific conditions). The bill mandates that inspections follow American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) industry standards, creates a licensing system for boiler inspectors, and requires detailed inspection records. Fees, penalties for violations, and specific procedures for boiler installation and operation are also defined under this legislation.

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 directs the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a study identifying gaps in acute healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The legislation also establishes a committee to oversee this study, which will include representatives from the House and Senate, as well as one member appointed by the Senate president. The primary goal is to gather data on where and how these individuals face barriers in receiving timely medical care. Once the study is complete, the department is required to submit a report detailing its findings to the legislature.