Rep. Ken Brass

Maddy summaryHB 660 increases the state-paid annual salary for assistant district attorneys in Louisiana to $50,500 starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects all assistant district attorneys whose salaries are funded by the state (not local parishes), including those in Orleans Parish. The bill specifies exact salary amounts on set dates (e.g., $50,000 effective 2021, $50,500 effective 2026) and requires separate state appropriations to fund these increases. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no new program or policy beyond the specified pay rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks the state legislative auditor to study the salaries and other pay for parish assessors and clerks of court in Louisiana. The study will examine how these officials are currently paid, compare their compensation levels, and look for ways to make the pay structures more fair and easier to understand. To gather information, the auditor will consult with professional associations representing these officials and must submit a report with its findings and suggestions to lawmakers by May 2027. This measure does not change any laws or pay amounts immediately but instead initiates a review to inform future decisions about compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 102 creates a new criminal offense for "second degree cruelty to elderly and persons with infirmities," targeting intentional or negligent mistreatment causing serious injury to vulnerable individuals. It directly affects caregivers - including family members, neighbors, nursing homes, and care facilities - and applies to elderly people (60+), those with disabilities, or individuals in residential care settings. Key provisions define the crime, set penalties of up to 40 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 5 years if death occurs), and include an affirmative defense for spiritual healing methods. The bill also designates this offense as a "crime of violence" under Louisiana law, impacting sentencing in related cases.

Maddy summaryHB 268 requires Louisiana public schools to provide career exposure activities for students in grades 6-8, mandating at least six activities annually per grade level. Three of these activities must align with high-demand Louisiana jobs (via Louisiana Works), involve employer interaction, link to career pathways, or offer work-based learning. It also requires schools to provide at least one career awareness activity for K-5 students before fifth grade and document at least one activity per student in their Individualized Graduation Plan. School boards must annually certify compliance to the state Department of Education and maintain records of these activities.

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 629 creates a special Louisiana license plate for the Krewe of Athena Carnival Club, available to any Louisiana resident who applies and pays fees. The plate requires a minimum of 1,000 applicants to be issued, with an annual $25 fee (plus a $3.50 handling fee) collected by the state. All $25 fees go directly to the Krewe of Athena to fund scholarships for debutantes, with the plate design including the words "Krewe of Athena" and following state plate regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 758 amends Louisiana's environmental fee structure for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), focusing on how fees are calculated and adjusted. It requires the DEQ to establish fees using a cost-based formula (covering activities like permitting, monitoring, and lab accreditation) and limits annual fee increases to 5% or the Consumer Price Index. Specific fee examples include $726 for lab accreditation applications and $363 per major test category, with adjustments needing department rulemaking. The bill directly affects environmental laboratories, businesses seeking permits, and entities requiring DEQ environmental reviews. It repeals outdated fee provisions and mandates that fee changes follow specific regulatory processes.

Maddy summaryHB 35 amends Louisiana law to adjust employer contributions to the Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund. It allows the fund's board to require local governments (sheriffs' employers) to pay up to 3% more than the standard contribution rate. Any surplus funds collected from these higher contributions after 2008 must be credited back to the pension fund account. This directly affects sheriffs' pension funding and local government budgeting for employee retirement costs.

Maddy summaryHB 34 modifies retirement eligibility for sheriffs in Louisiana's Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund. It allows sheriffs who began employment on or after January 1, 2012, to receive an actuarial equivalent of their retirement benefit at age 50 (instead of age 55) if they have at least 30 years of service and are over 50. The provision requires a written application to the board of trustees and creates an option for earlier retirement without changing the benefit amount calculation. This directly affects eligible sheriffs meeting the service and age criteria under the fund.