Rep. Denise Marcelle

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution expressing the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives for the tragic deaths of eight young children in Shreveport. It formally acknowledges the loss of Mar'Kaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow, Braylon Snow, Layla Pugh, Kayla Pugh, Shayla Elkins, and Jayla Elkins, who were all students at various local schools. The text describes each child briefly by name, age, and school, and concludes by offering comfort to their families and friends.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Paul Hollis, the director of the United States Mint, for his return visit to the Louisiana House of Representatives. The measure expresses gratitude for his past service as a state representative and his current role as the first Louisianian to lead the Mint. It does not create any new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as an official statement of appreciation for his contributions.

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 creates the Louisiana Recreational Cannabis Policy Task Force to study the potential legalization and regulation of recreational marijuana in the state. The task force, which includes members from law enforcement, health agencies, and industry representatives, will examine economic impacts, public health risks, social equity policies, and regulatory frameworks. Its findings and recommendations must be submitted to the legislature by February 1, 2027, to inform any future legislative action on the issue.

Maddy summaryHB 175 creates a new instant lottery game in Louisiana, with all proceeds dedicated to veteran programs. It establishes the Veterans Game Board (comprising state agency leaders and veteran organization representatives) to manage the "Veterans Game Fund," which receives all revenue from this specific game. The board distributes one-time grants of up to $50,000 to eligible applicants like 501(c)(3) veteran service organizations, colleges, JROTC programs, or veterans courts that improve veterans' lives. Unused funds are returned to the state treasury annually. This bill directly affects Louisiana veterans by channeling new lottery revenue into targeted support programs.

Maddy summaryHB 564 adds "accessory before the fact" as a distinct legal category in Louisiana law, defining it as someone who helps plan or encourage a crime but isn't physically present during its commission. Penalties for this role are tiered based on the underlying offense - for example, up to 15 years for life felony crimes, or half the principal's maximum penalty for most others. The bill also creates a new resentencing process: individuals convicted as principals but later proven to be accessories before the fact can request sentence reduction after serving at least one-third of their term, with the court requiring evidence to adjust penalties under the new definitions. This directly affects people currently serving sentences for crimes where their role was misclassified as principal rather than accessory before the fact.

Maddy summaryHB 328 prohibits students from carrying firearms in college or university dormitory rooms in Louisiana. The bill amends existing law to clarify that even when exceptions allow firearm possession for specific activities (like firearms classes or ROTC), students cannot keep firearms in their dorm rooms. This directly affects all students living in on-campus housing, making dormitories firearm-free zones. The key provision explicitly removes any allowance for firearm possession within dormitory rooms, regardless of other permitted uses on campus.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how victims of sex offenses can access their personal information in public records by requiring them to submit supporting documentation when making a request. Specifically, it mandates that victims include a police report, protective order, or final judgment proving their status as a victim or alleged victim of a sex offense along with their access request. The legislative changes renumber certain subsections within the public records law to accommodate this new documentation requirement. This measure directly affects victims of sex offenses seeking to control the public availability of their identifying information. The bill passed the House with unanimous approval and was sent to the Senate for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 285 allows Louisiana high school boards to partner with credit unions to operate on-site branches at high schools. The bill requires these branches to be integrated into the state-mandated financial literacy course (R.S. 17:270), giving students hands-on experience managing personal finances. School boards must establish rules for outside use of buildings, including fees, under this new partnership framework. The policy directly affects high school students, school boards, and credit unions by embedding practical financial education into existing coursework.

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.