Rep. Ken Brass

Maddy summarySB 190 designates specific road segments in certain parishes to honor fallen law enforcement officers. The bill amends existing road descriptions to clarify the designated sections (e.g., changing "overpass to" to "overpass and"). It has no funding requirements or new obligations - it solely provides a commemorative name for existing roadways. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate (39-0) and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summarySB 72 authorizes the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to issue bonds for capital projects like building renovations or equipment purchases. The bill requires colleges to provide a 12% match of the total project cost from their own funds, meaning the colleges themselves must cover at least one-eighth of each project's expenses. This directly affects the colleges within the system, as they must contribute financially to qualify for the bond financing. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (37-0) and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 566 allows public postsecondary education institutions (like community colleges) to use "job order contracting" for routine deferred maintenance work on their facilities, such as plumbing, electrical, or HVAC repairs. This method streamlines the contracting process by enabling institutions to place multiple small work orders with a single contractor instead of going through traditional bidding for each project. The bill directly affects public colleges and universities managing their own facility maintenance, providing them a new administrative option for certain repair types. It does not change funding or create new costs, as noted by the "EN NO IMPACT" designation.

Maddy summaryHB 517 creates a special "Youth Cessation and Prevention Fund" in the Louisiana state treasury, dedicated to preventing youth tobacco use. It allocates 20% of revenue from the smokeless tobacco tax to this fund, with funds distributed as follows: 40% to the Louisiana Cancer Research Center for school/community programs, 40% to the Louisiana Department of Health for the Quitline and prevention initiatives, and 10% each to two cancer centers for mass-media programs and treatment services. The fund supports evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation efforts targeting youth and young adults across schools, communities, and public health systems. Monies in the fund cannot replace existing state general fund appropriations for the same purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 275 directs Louisiana's Legislative Auditor to study public bid laws, parish/municipal infrastructure project delivery, and potential reforms to improve efficiency. The auditor will specifically examine current contract limits (like the $250,000 public works threshold established in 2020), procedural approval timelines, and relevant policies affecting project speed. They must consult with officials from parishes (e.g., Jefferson, Orleans), city infrastructure departments, and contractor associations. The auditor will submit a written report with recommendations to the House Transportation Committee by January 31, 2026, focusing on practical improvements for infrastructure projects statewide.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SCR 57) passed by the Louisiana State Legislature to express condolences for Steven J. Miguez, a businessman and community member from Iberia Parish, following his death on February 24, 2025. The resolution recognizes his life of service, including founding businesses like Iberia Crew Boat & Marine Service and Miguez Fuel, his competitive shooting achievements, and his family. It has no policy provisions or direct effect on laws or constituents - it solely offers legislative condolences to his family. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate (34-0) and passed through the House without amendments.

Maddy summaryHCR 24 creates a special legislative committee to study the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) and its operations. The bill specifically directs the committee to examine LHSAA's structure and impact on all Louisiana high schools, including public, private, and parochial institutions, as amended throughout the text. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that establishes a fact-finding body, with no immediate policy changes or direct effects on schools. The committee's work will inform future legislative decisions but does not alter current athletic association rules or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 142 amends the composition of Louisiana's Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities by adding the president of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (or their designee) to the council's membership. This procedural bill directly affects the council's structure by expanding who participates in advising state officials on HBCU-related matters. The change modifies the council's membership list without altering substantive policies or funding. The bill passed committee favorably and is now moving toward final passage.

Maddy summaryHB 174 designates a specific bridge on U.S. 167 in Winn Parish as the "Clayton Horne Memorial Bridge." This bill directly affects the location of the bridge and honors Clayton Horne through its official name. The bill contains no substantive policy changes or funding mechanisms - it solely updates the bridge's official designation. Amendments clarify the reference to the highway as "United States Highway 167" but do not alter the memorial purpose. As a naming resolution, it has no operational or financial impact beyond the ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) passed by the Louisiana House of Representatives. It formally commends Robert Francis Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope and second American pope. The resolution highlights his New Orleans connections, his background as a missionary in Peru, and his recent papal message. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create any legal obligations or affect policy.