Rep. Ken Brass

Maddy summaryHCR 32 is a procedural resolution that continues the Judicial Security Task Force, originally created in 2024, and extends its deadline for submitting a report on courthouse safety requirements to January 1, 2027. The task force studies minimum safety standards to protect judicial officers and their families in courthouses. This resolution does not create new laws but ensures the task force has additional time to complete its research. It directly affects Louisiana’s judicial system by enabling ongoing safety planning for courts. The resolution requires the task force to submit its final report to legislative committees and relevant judicial organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 209 is a technical amendment to Louisiana law that adjusts the financing threshold for public works projects in Ascension Parish. It reduces the dollar amount requiring competitive bidding from $500,000 to $250,000 for certain projects. This change directly affects local contractors and government agencies managing public construction projects in Ascension Parish by altering when competitive bidding procedures apply. The bill is currently pending passage after passing committee review and second reading.

Maddy summaryHB 454 would require Medicaid to cover specific doula services for eligible enrollees. This bill directly affects Medicaid recipients who use certified doula services during pregnancy and postpartum care. The key provision mandates that Medicaid plans include coverage for these services, though the bill text does not specify exact service types or eligibility criteria beyond "certain" doula care. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Health and Welfare Committee unanimously. This policy change would expand access to doula support for low-income individuals under the state's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryHB 357 requires health insurance plans to cover integrative cancer treatments like acupuncture, directly affecting cancer patients seeking these services and health insurance issuers. The bill limits coverage for acupuncture treatment during active cancer care to fifteen visits per year, unless additional treatments are recommended by nationally recognized cancer guidelines and the treating physician. It also modifies prior authorization requirements by adding "prior authorization" to the list of coverage conditions. This bill is currently under review by the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Insurance Committee with amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 202 requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to offer students a voluntary privacy waiver form. This form allows students to authorize their institution to share specific mental health crisis information - such as the nature of the crisis, actions taken (e.g., counseling referrals), and follow-up care recommendations - with designated contacts (like parents or guardians) during a mental health emergency where the student poses a risk to themselves or others. The waiver explicitly states that specific diagnoses or treatment details will not be shared without additional authorization, and students can revoke consent in writing at any time. The policy applies directly to all students at Louisiana’s public postsecondary institutions and their chosen contacts, while maintaining compliance with federal and state privacy laws.

Maddy summaryHB 381 adjusts eligibility rules for municipalities seeking waivers of local matching funds for capital projects. It increases the population threshold for waiver eligibility and specifically excludes correctional facility inmates from a municipality's population count when determining qualification. To qualify, municipalities must submit financial reports, utility rate studies (if applicable), and certifications confirming no fiscal mismanagement or debt delinquency. The bill streamlines the waiver process by requiring documentation submission to the Division of Administration, which forwards recommendations to the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay for final approval.

Maddy summaryHCR 37 establishes the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Task Force within the state's higher education system. The task force will develop strategies to prevent hazing at colleges and universities, directly affecting public and private higher education institutions. The resolution names the task force after Caleb Wilson, honoring his memory, though the bill does not detail specific prevention methods or funding mechanisms. This is a procedural resolution creating a new body, not a law imposing new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 383 modifies an existing tax credit for C-corporations that pay local inventory taxes. It postpones the credit's termination from 2028 to 2027 and reduces the credit amount by 50% for tax years starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This bill directly affects C-corporations subject to federal income tax that claim this specific local inventory tax credit. The change creates a temporary reduction in the credit value during the 2026-2027 transition period before the credit fully terminates. The bill is currently pending passage after recent committee amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 71 amends Louisiana law to revise membership on the Dual Enrollment Task Force. The bill adds the chief executive officer of Ellevate Louisiana (or their designee) as a new voting member, increasing the total membership from fourteen to fifteen. This procedural change directly affects the composition of the task force, which advises the state on dual enrollment programs (allowing high school students to earn college credits). The bill does not alter program requirements, funding, or student eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It expresses the Louisiana House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Phil Alexander Robertson, a Duck Commander founder and "Duck Dynasty" star who was a prominent figure in northeast Louisiana. The resolution honors his life, family values, faith, and economic impact through his business, highlighting his 60-year marriage to Kay and his role as a community leader. It has no effect on laws or regulations, serving solely as a symbolic gesture of respect.