Rep. Beth Billings

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the membership structure of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice by adjusting the representation for Jefferson Parish. Specifically, it changes the requirement so that one member will be selected from Jefferson Parish, while the total number of members from that parish is reduced from two to one. This amendment directly affects the commission's composition by altering how many commissioners represent that specific parish. The change is a procedural adjustment to the committee's makeup rather than a new policy initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 467 is a procedural bill that amends the state code to update references regarding the sale of raw milk and commercial animal feeds. The legislation modifies existing sections to include new requirements for monthly salmonella testing, record-keeping, and labeling standards for raw milk producers. It also grants the commissioner of agriculture the authority to temporarily suspend the sale of raw milk if it poses an immediate health threat, while allowing legislative committees to review and override such suspensions. Because the bill text indicates no impact on current laws and primarily serves to align statutory references, it functions as a technical update rather than introducing new substantive policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits government agencies and businesses from requiring employees or students to receive COVID-19 vaccines or take experimental drugs that lack full FDA approval. It also bans mandates for wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of the virus. However, the law includes specific exceptions for healthcare facilities, nursing homes, correctional institutions, and other medical settings where federal guidelines require vaccination. Additionally, the state attorney general has the authority to seek court orders to stop any entity that violates these new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies election laws to prohibit the live broadcasting of activities related to preparing, testing, inspecting, sealing, and locking voting machines. The restriction applies specifically to the handling of machines used for early voting and absentee ballots by mail. By adding these constraints to existing statutes, the legislation aims to limit public access to footage of these specific machine preparation processes. The changes directly affect election officials and candidates who oversee these procedures, ensuring that such operations remain private from live media coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing requirement for wholesale and retail seafood dealers in the state. It creates an exemption from this license for restaurants and retail grocers that only buy seafood from licensed dealers and sell it fully prepared for immediate consumption. The legislation sets the annual license fee at three hundred dollars and mandates that all licensed dealers maintain specific records.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous resolution regarding the use of funds generated from alternative energy production in Louisiana's coastal zone. The specific change directs that $300 be allocated from these funds, replacing a previously blank amount. This adjustment affects the financial management of coastal energy projects by specifying a fixed sum for distribution. The measure does not create new programs but rather clarifies the exact dollar amount available for disposition under the existing framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes pharmacists in Louisiana to dispense up to a 30-day supply of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and a 28-day course of post-exposure prophylaxis to individuals aged 17 and older without a traditional prescription. It also permits pharmacists to perform rapid HIV tests or order laboratory testing for these patients, provided the testing occurs in a private, secured location within the pharmacy to ensure confidentiality. To support these changes, the state Department of Health must create specific rules outlining how pharmacists can administer these medications and tests, including requirements for discussing results with patients and coordinating with health insurance plans. An unpaid expert panel comprising health officials, physicians, pharmacists, and board representatives will assist in developing these operational guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 782 provides supplemental funding for the Louisiana state government for the 2023-2024 fiscal year by adjusting specific budget line items. The bill authorizes money for various projects, including $1 million for improvements at Greenwell Springs Park and $500,000 for depot renovations in the city of Plaquemine. It also allocates funds to the city of Shreveport, a project named Project Seek, and Southern University while reducing a separate appropriation by $100,000. Additionally, the legislation includes several technical edits to the budget document, such as removing certain funding requests and clarifying which streets receive infrastructure support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools in Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1, 2025. The legislation allows schools to use donated funds or donated physical displays to cover the cost, ensuring no money from public school budgets is spent on the items. Additionally, schools must include a historical statement explaining the long tradition of using the Ten Commandments in American education. While the primary focus is on the Ten Commandments, the bill also permits the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.

Maddy summaryHB 525 amends the rules for billing by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to allow customers to opt out of a fixed billing program. Under this change, customers will not be automatically placed on a fixed plan unless they specifically choose to enroll in one. The bill gives residents more control over how their water and sewerage charges are calculated, ensuring they are not forced into a set payment schedule without their consent.