Rep. Kellee Hennessy

Maddy summaryHB 387 allows Louisiana's Department of Veterans Affairs to charge reasonable rates for maintenance and care at state veterans facilities to nonveteran residents who are financially capable of paying. It requires the department to establish a payment system considering the income and estate of nonveteran residents, similar to how veterans' payment capability is assessed. This bill directly affects nonveteran residents of state-run veterans facilities who meet the financial criteria for payment. The policy change modifies existing rules to explicitly include nonveterans in the facility care charging structure.

Maddy summaryHB 273 establishes the official state children's Christmas book, designating a specific title as a state symbol. The bill’s amendments (Amendment No. 1 and 2) corrected minor drafting errors, such as removing unnecessary "the" before "Cajun" in the text. This is a symbolic procedural bill with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or state programs. It focuses solely on naming a children’s Christmas book for official recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 60 amends Louisiana law to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate and maintain healthcare facilities specifically for war veterans with psychiatric or geriatric conditions, as well as other veterans and nonveterans meeting federal eligibility under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. It defines "war veterans" as those honorably discharged after serving during U.S. wartime periods (including Korean Conflict, Vietnam era, and post-January 1955 service). The bill also expands access to include National Guard or reservists not activated under federal duty (Title 10). This legislation directly affects Louisiana war veterans and eligible nonveterans seeking specialized healthcare services through state-operated facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 628 establishes the Louisiana Dividend Program within the state Treasury Department. The bill outlines how the program will be funded, administered, and who qualifies to receive payments, including specific eligibility rules and restrictions. It directly affects eligible Louisiana residents who meet the program's criteria, though the exact qualifications aren't detailed in the provided text. The legislation creates a formal structure for distributing funds, with key provisions covering program management and participant requirements. This is a substantive policy bill focused on creating a new state-funded benefit program.

Maddy summaryHB 401 creates a dedicated "Insurance Fraud Investigation Dedicated Fund Account" by redirecting fees paid by insurers into this special fund. Insurers licensed to operate in Louisiana will pay these fees, with unspent funds at year-end refunded proportionally to each insurer based on their share of total fees collected. The bill repeals a previous fee reduction and specifies that funds in the account must be used exclusively for fraud investigation units, as authorized by the legislature. This bill directly affects all insurers conducting business in Louisiana by changing how their fees are collected and managed.

Maddy summarySB 154 criminalizes the possession, distribution, and manufacture of kratom by classifying its active compounds (7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine) as Schedule I controlled substances. It directly affects individuals who use or distribute kratom products, with limited exceptions for medical prescriptions under specific state law. The bill imposes fines and prison terms ranging from up to 3 years for small amounts to up to 5 years for larger quantities, while allowing possession of small amounts (under 20 grams) to be punished by fines only. It replaces previous exemptions for kratom and defines "kratom" broadly to include any substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant or containing its active compounds. The law takes effect on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 17 modifies the deferred retirement option plan for municipal police employees in Louisiana's retirement system. It requires participants to specify their new retirement date by August 1, 2025, or their originally chosen final participation date - whichever comes first. This change affects current municipal police retirees using the deferred retirement option, clarifying the deadline for updating their retirement plans under the existing system. The bill does not create new benefits or costs but adjusts administrative requirements for the plan.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It expresses the Louisiana House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Phil Alexander Robertson, a Duck Commander founder and "Duck Dynasty" star who was a prominent figure in northeast Louisiana. The resolution honors his life, family values, faith, and economic impact through his business, highlighting his 60-year marriage to Kay and his role as a community leader. It has no effect on laws or regulations, serving solely as a symbolic gesture of respect.

Maddy summarySB 190 designates specific road segments in certain parishes to honor fallen law enforcement officers. The bill amends existing road descriptions to clarify the designated sections (e.g., changing "overpass to" to "overpass and"). It has no funding requirements or new obligations - it solely provides a commemorative name for existing roadways. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate (39-0) and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summarySB 72 authorizes the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to issue bonds for capital projects like building renovations or equipment purchases. The bill requires colleges to provide a 12% match of the total project cost from their own funds, meaning the colleges themselves must cover at least one-eighth of each project's expenses. This directly affects the colleges within the system, as they must contribute financially to qualify for the bond financing. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (37-0) and is now moving to the House for further consideration.