Rep. Kellee Hennessy

Maddy summaryHB 719 mandates minimum staffing levels for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) across all 42 judicial districts in Louisiana, including Orleans Parish (New Orleans). The bill specifies exact minimum numbers - such as 35 ADAs for the First Judicial District and 83 for Orleans Parish - requiring district attorneys to appoint at least these numbers in each district. It also requires approval from the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys before implementation, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects district attorneys’ offices by setting enforceable staffing requirements, without altering legal procedures or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHB 682 amends Louisiana law to allow veterans with an honorable military discharge (as defined in R.S. 13:5364) to serve as school resource officers alongside traditional peace officers. This directly affects Louisiana public schools seeking resource officers and eligible veterans who meet the military service criteria. The bill changes the legal definition of "school resource officer" to explicitly include qualified veterans, without creating new funding or mandatory requirements. It does not alter existing hiring processes but expands the pool of eligible candidates for these school safety roles. The bill is currently in the early stages of consideration after being prefaced and referred to the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 816 prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by U.S. Treasury) and entities with foreign adversary control from owning or acquiring land within 25 miles of designated Louisiana military installations. The bill directly affects foreign governments, corporations, or investment funds with foreign adversary ties seeking to purchase or lease such adjacent property. Key provisions include requiring affidavits to verify non-adversary status, imposing $50,000 civil penalties for violations, and allowing contract rescission if a foreign adversary interest is discovered. Exceptions cover U.S. citizens, legal residents, and residential properties (1-4 family homes). The law aims to protect military sites by restricting ownership near installations, with enforcement handled by the state attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution asks the Department of Transportation and Development to form a team that studies safety risks from increased train traffic at the Alabo Street Wharf. The request focuses on potential dangers like grain dust explosions and train collisions with vehicles in nearby neighborhoods, citing recent accidents as a reason for the review. If the study finds issues, the department must create a plan to improve safety and share its findings with the legislature by January 1, 2027. The measure does not change laws or fund projects directly but serves as a formal request for an official safety assessment.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the U.S. Congress to oppose any efforts to transfer, privatize, or remove parts of the Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish, Louisiana, from federal ownership. The bill highlights the forest's cultural, economic, and recreational value to the community while urging increased investment in outdoor activities and conservation. It does not change federal law but serves as a formal expression of local support for keeping the land under federal management.

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to study whether it is feasible to create a program for regularly cleaning and maintaining interstate highway signs instead of simply replacing them when they are damaged. The proposal highlights that routine maintenance is significantly cheaper than replacement and could extend the lifespan of signs while improving driver safety and navigation. If the study finds the program viable, the department would be required to submit a report detailing its findings to the House Committee on Transportation by January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.

Maddy summarySB 388 prohibits Louisiana state agencies from entering contracts with foreign entities designated as adversaries or terrorist organizations by the U.S. government (e.g., under federal designations like 15 C.F.R. 791.4 or 8 U.S.C. 1189). It grants the governor emergency authority to immediately cancel or suspend such contracts if they pose security risks to Louisiana, requiring consultation with homeland security and legal officials before action. The bill defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "state contract" (covering goods, services, or technology) and allows affected parties to seek court review if they dispute cancellation decisions. This directly affects state agencies entering contracts and foreign entities linked to U.S.-designated threats.

Maddy summaryHB 492 creates the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving to coordinate state efforts against drunk and drugged driving. The task force, operating within the governor's office, will include 21 members from state agencies (like law enforcement and health departments), community organizations (such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and at least one victim or family member of an impaired driving incident. Its key duties include analyzing data on impaired driving arrests and crashes, identifying evidence-based solutions like ignition interlock devices, and coordinating strategies across state and local agencies. The task force must meet at least four times yearly, with decisions requiring majority approval, and will be chaired by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission director.

Maddy summaryThis bill redesignates a section of U.S. Highway 190 in Baton Rouge as the "Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway" to honor Jesse Jackson. It directly affects the Department of Transportation and Development, which is responsible for installing and maintaining new signage for the renamed highway. The legislation requires that the cost of creating and mounting the signs be covered by local or private funding, with a limit of $2,250 per sign. No changes to traffic rules or road usage are included in this measure.