Rep. Denise Marcelle

Maddy summaryHB 444 amends Louisiana law to restructure the East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation and Park Commission. It increases the commission from 5 to 9 members: 5 ex officio members (the state senator for District 14, the state representative for District 61, and mayors of Baker, Baton Rouge, Central, St. George, and Zachary) plus 4 appointed members. The appointed members must include at least two residents of Baton Rouge city and one resident of unincorporated East Baton Rouge Parish, with residency rules adjustable after each federal census. The bill specifies the commission’s leadership roles, quorum requirements, and authority to hire a superintendent.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 8, 2026, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. It recognizes the sorority's history of civic engagement and highlights the contributions of its members, including several former Louisiana state officials. The resolution serves as a formal commendation of the organization's community service and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally recognizes Myrtle V. Willis on the occasion of her 100th birthday. It does not create any new laws or change existing policies but instead serves as an official commendation from the Louisiana House of Representatives. The resolution highlights Willis's long life, her role as a family matriarch, and her faith as reasons for the honor.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes three new groundwater conservation districts in Louisiana to manage and protect the Chicot, Southern Hills, and Mississippi Alluvial aquifer systems. It creates a board for each district composed of voting members appointed by the governor, including representatives from specific parishes, industrial and agricultural user groups, and municipalities, along with several nonvoting ex officio members from state agencies and local elected officials. The legislation outlines the process for appointing these commissioners, defines who qualifies as a "user" of groundwater, and sets up a framework for monitoring water use to prevent depletion of these vital resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes and thanks student parents in Louisiana for balancing childcare with higher education. It highlights the challenges these individuals face and acknowledges the importance of supportive resources for their academic success. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves to honor the efforts of student parents and the organizations that support them.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the structure for electing judges in Louisiana's 19th Judicial District, which covers East Baton Rouge Parish. It divides the parish into three election sections and specifies which voting precincts belong to each section, with judges elected from two sections and one judge elected at large from the entire district. The legislation also assigns specific judge divisions to each election section and updates the legal code to reflect these changes. This affects voters in East Baton Rouge Parish by defining how judicial elections will be organized and which precincts determine which judge candidates they vote for.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana's voter registration laws to strengthen data privacy and improve communication with voters. It requires the Secretary of State to notify voters via multiple methods before sharing sensitive personal information with federal agencies and establishes a notification system to inform voters about changes to their registration status, such as being placed on an inactive list or facing cancellation. The legislation creates a bipartisan Voter Data Transparency Task Force to review voter maintenance reports and cancellation rates across different demographics, and it sets specific timelines and procedures for challenging registrations and removing voters from the rolls.

Maddy summaryHB 875 modifies Louisiana's fees for drivers who let auto insurance lapse. It reduces reinstatement fees based on lapse duration (e.g., $150 for 1-30 days, $250 for 31-90 days, $450 for over 90 days) and increases the grace period before fees apply to 30 days for first-time lapses. The bill exempts fees if insurance lapses were ≤30 days and the license plate is surrendered within 30 days, or for first-time lapses with 10-day advance notice. It also caps total fees at $850 for drivers under 65 and $250 for seniors aged 65+, with fees becoming final debt after 60 days. This directly affects Louisiana drivers who experience insurance coverage gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution expressing the Louisiana Legislature's condolences to the family of Dr. Norman C. Francis following his death on February 18, 2026. It honors his life as a civil rights advocate, educator, and community leader who served as president of Xavier University for 47 years and played a key role in rebuilding Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. The resolution formally acknowledges his legacy and directs a copy of the document to be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of Guaranty Corporation, a Louisiana-based company founded in 1926 by George A. Foster Sr. The resolution highlights the company's history, its founder's legacy, and its contributions to Louisiana through various business sectors including media, healthcare, and real estate. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official legislative acknowledgment of the company's century-long presence and impact on the state. The measure was passed by the House and Senate without opposition and was signed into effect by the Speaker of the House.