Maddy summaryHCR 19 is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's condolences on the death of former state representative Billy Wayne "Coach" Montgomery, acknowledging his contributions as an educator, coach, and public servant.
Maddy summaryHB 435 proposes to establish limitations on the amount of general damages that can be claimed in civil lawsuits. An amendment indicates that in a suit for damages arising from a civil wrong (delictual action), the person who committed the wrong (tortfeasor) would not be required to pay an amount beyond a certain point. This bill would affect individuals and entities involved in civil litigation where damages are sought. However, the provided text of the amendment is incomplete, so the precise mechanisms or specific limitations are not fully described.
Maddy summaryHB 432 amends laws concerning third-party litigation financing, affecting companies that fund lawsuits, the individuals they fund, and their attorneys. It limits the amount litigation financers can recover to a share of the plaintiff's proceeds after attorney fees and costs are paid. The bill also makes the existence of these financing agreements discoverable in civil actions. Additionally, attorneys must disclose the financing contract and provide a copy to their clients within 30 days of being retained or entering the agreement. These provisions do not apply to nonprofit legal organizations offering pro bono services.
Maddy summaryHB 388 focuses on the financial arrangements for housing state inmates. It specifically addresses the amount the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) pays to parish jails or institutions for accommodating these inmates. The bill modifies the payment structure related to the housing of state prisoners in local facilities.
Maddy summaryHR 20 is a resolution that expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Steven "Steve" Joseph Miguez. It acknowledges his life, business career, competitive shooting achievements, and family.
Maddy summaryHCR 7 directs Louisiana's Office of Group Benefits to study whether requiring Medicare-eligible state employees and retirees to enroll in Medicare could save state funds. The study would examine potential savings from shifting health insurance costs to Medicare (reducing state payments) and explore options to return some savings to participants through lower premiums or adjusted plan provisions. This resolution does not change current enrollment rules but requests a report by December 2025 to the House and Senate committees on Retirement and Finance. It affects state employees and retirees who are eligible for Medicare but currently enrolled in both state and federal health plans.
Maddy summaryHB 287 would limit recovery of medical expenses for auto accident victims who fail to use available health insurance. The bill defines "health insurance coverage" broadly to include various plans, and sets a cap on recoverable medical costs at 120% of the Medicare rate (or 170% of the Medicaid rate if no Medicare rate exists) when claimants don't utilize their insurance. This applies to claims filed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes cases covered by Louisiana's Workers' Compensation Law. The bill directly affects auto accident victims who have health insurance but choose not to use it for medical treatment. It represents a policy change to limit medical expense recovery in specific auto accident cases.
Maddy summaryHB 11, titled "The Segus Jolivette Act," would change sentencing for repeat violent offenders in Louisiana. It requires that for a third conviction of a felony crime of violence (defined under state law), offenders receive at least 50% of the maximum sentence for a first offense; for a fourth or subsequent conviction, it mandates at least 75% of that maximum. The bill also requires juries to decide facts that increase penalties (other than prior convictions) before sentencing, rather than leaving that determination solely to judges. This directly affects individuals convicted multiple times of violent crimes, altering both the minimum sentences they face and the process for determining penalty levels. The bill is currently pending in committee review.
Maddy summaryHB 5 requires Louisiana public school systems to use savings from the Teachers' Retirement System to provide permanent salary increases for teachers and other school employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Certificated staff, such as teachers and administrators, must receive at least a $2,000 raise, while non-certificated staff, including aides and clerical workers, must receive at least $1,000. The bill mandates that these salary increases include associated retirement costs and applies to employees on specific leaves, such as military or maternity leave, provided they remain in their approved positions. If a school district does not have enough savings to cover the full amount of these raises, the remaining cost is to be funded through the state's minimum foundation program formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that charter schools participating in the state retirement system must also comply with these salary increase requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws regarding pharmaceutical reimbursements to apply only to contracted pharmacists or pharmacies that do not own more than five shares or a five percent interest in a pharmaceutical wholesale group purchasing organization or vendor. The key provision restricts the scope of the reimbursement rules to ensure they target independent pharmacies rather than those with significant ownership stakes in drug supply chains. By adding this specific limitation, the legislation clarifies which entities must comply with the current reimbursement requirements without changing the underlying financial mechanisms.
