Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing the Melrose East Crime Prevention District in East Baton Rouge Parish by defining its specific boundaries and outlining how it can expand. It allows the district to collect an annual parcel fee from property owners to fund increased law enforcement presence, neighborhood beautification, and other improvements, provided these actions are approved by a majority of voters in a special election. The legislation sets a maximum fee of $200 per residential parcel and $2,000 per commercial parcel, ensures fees are collected alongside regular property taxes, and includes a ten-year expiration limit with the option for renewal. Additionally, the bill clarifies that existing fees already in place will continue until their current terms expire and prevents property owners from paying more than the established rate limits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specialty license plate in Louisiana featuring the text "LSU Baseball National Champions." The legislation directs the Department of Public Safety to design and sell these plates, which will be available to any vehicle owner in the state. By adding this new option to the list of approved specialty plates, the bill allows drivers to display their support for the LSU baseball team on their vehicles. The text of the law is updated to include this specific plate design within the existing regulations governing vehicle license plates.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools in Louisiana to adopt a single, uniform ten-point grading scale for assigning letter grades. Under the new rules, a score of 90 to 100 earns an A, 80 to 89 earns a B, 70 to 79 earns a C, 60 to 69 earns a D, and 0 to 59 earns an F. While this standard applies to most public schools, it explicitly excludes schools operated by the U.S. Department of Defense on military installations and does not apply to charter schools, which remain exempt from this specific mandate. The legislation also removes the previous requirement for the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to oversee the implementation of a grading scale.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a task force to study how to expand the number of behavioral health providers who can receive higher Medicaid payments. The group will include representatives from various professional organizations and government departments to examine staffing needs in schools and the feasibility of hiring social workers in every school. Members will also look into creating incentives to attract more counselors to the workforce, improving reimbursement fairness, and reducing administrative hurdles for providers. The task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by February 28, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies and school districts to provide more detailed reports on how federal and state funds are used for mental health services. The key change mandates that these reports include specific information such as the budget unit, program description, funding sources, and demographic data including the number of individuals with disabilities. By standardizing these reporting requirements, the legislation aims to increase transparency regarding the allocation and use of public money for mental health programs.
Maddy summaryHB 340 requires public school governing authorities to establish a tracking system for parental complaints. The bill mandates that schools record and monitor these complaints to ensure they are addressed consistently. This measure directly affects school districts and the parents who file grievances regarding school policies or operations. By creating a formal log, the legislation aims to improve transparency and accountability in how schools handle parental concerns.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires candidates for certain elected offices in Louisiana to file financial disclosure statements within three business days after their candidacy qualifying period ends. It applies to individuals running for positions where the current officeholder is already mandated to submit these reports under existing state laws. The legislation also clarifies that if a candidate already holds a job requiring a similar financial report, submitting that existing document satisfies the new filing requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Louisiana Highway 171 in Leesville as the "Claude 'Buddy' Leach Memorial Highway" to honor an individual. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation and Development to install official signs marking this name, but only if local or private funds cover the full cost of materials and installation. Each sign must not exceed a cost of $550, and the state will not pay for the signage itself. The change is limited to the road segment between Boone Street and East Louisiana Street within the city limits.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends a state statute to require school nurses to receive in-service training on caring for students with sickle cell disease. The change directly affects school nurses by updating the legal reference in the relevant code section from R.S. 17:236.5 to R.S. 17:436.5. While the text indicates the bill has no practical impact, it formally modifies the existing law to ensure the correct citation is used for the training requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally expresses the condolences of the Louisiana Legislature on the death of James David Cain, a former state representative and senator. The document honors Cain's life and career by detailing his background as a basketball coach, his military service, and his decades of public service in both the House and Senate. It serves as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to the state and extends sympathy to his surviving family members, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.