Rep. Chad Brown

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.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Louisiana Legislature to the family and friends of Arwin Patrick Bascle upon her passing. It also honors her life, legacy, and contributions to the political fabric of Louisiana.

Maddy summaryHR 115 is a resolution that designates Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as Iberville Parish Day at the state capitol. It recognizes Iberville Parish for its historic legacy, economic contributions, and cultural vitality.

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 576 modifies regulations concerning insurance rates in both competitive and noncompetitive markets. The bill revises the criteria for determining if an insurer's profit is unreasonably high, expanding it to include expense provisions that are excessive in relation to services rendered. It also establishes a new process allowing the insurance commissioner to specify interim rates if existing rates are disapproved. During this period, the commissioner may order a portion of premiums to be placed in an escrow account. This bill directly affects insurance companies by adjusting how their rates are evaluated and approved, and policyholders through potential interim rates and refund mechanisms.

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 summaryHB 225 authorizes public school personnel in Louisiana to conduct weapon screenings of all students upon initial entry onto school campuses during school days. The bill requires schools to use metal detectors or manual scans of personal items (like backpacks) at entry points, and allows random metal detector checks at any time without deliberate touching. It directly affects all public school students and mandates that school boards adopt written policies consistent with these screening procedures by a specified date (though the original 1995 deadline appears outdated in the text). The bill also clarifies that entry screenings do not count as personal searches and requires reporting of seized weapons or dangerous items to law enforcement.

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 summarySB 40 amends the Louisiana Seafood Safety Act to clarify administrative roles within the state's health oversight system. The bill makes minor text changes to remove redundant language and establishes a specific task force to support the commission, with the Senate Health and Welfare Committee chairman serving as its leader. These adjustments aim to streamline how the state manages seafood safety regulations without altering the core safety standards themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing election laws to clarify rules regarding prohibited political materials and establishes specific criminal penalties for violations. It primarily affects media organizations and online service providers by creating exceptions that protect them from liability when they host content without controlling or influencing it. The legislation also defines key terms such as "known candidate," "media entity," and "interactive computer service" to ensure clear application of these new protections. By referencing federal definitions for internet services, the bill aims to align state regulations with established national standards for online content moderation.