Rep. Lauren Ventrella

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous law to correct a drafting error by changing the word "Section" to "Subsection" within the text governing driver's licenses for individuals with brain injuries. The change does not alter the actual policy or the rights of people with brain injuries, as it only fixes a technical classification in the statute. Consequently, the bill has no direct impact on daily life or specific groups beyond ensuring the existing legal framework is written correctly. It is a procedural measure intended to maintain the accuracy of the state's vehicle and emergency codes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of United States Highway 165 in Oberlin, Louisiana, as the "Kulyn Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway" to honor an individual. The legislation directs the state Department of Transportation and Development to install and maintain signs for this new name, provided the department recovers its material and installation costs from local or private funding sources. The act limits the reimbursement for each sign to a maximum of $2,250 and applies only to the section of the road running between the northern and southern boundaries of the town.

Maddy summaryHB 126 allows courts in Louisiana to permit facility dogs to accompany specific witnesses during testimony. It directly affects minors under 18, individuals with developmental disabilities (as defined by law), and victims of sex offenses (as defined in state law). The bill requires courts to permit a facility dog if available while these witnesses testify, aiming to help reduce anxiety. The provision applies during court proceedings and does not change existing legal standards or outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 125 increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted in Louisiana. It raises the annual payment rate from $25,000 to $40,000 per year incarcerated, with a new maximum total of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026 (up from $400,000 previously). It also allows those convicted before July 2022 to apply for supplemental payments (up to $40,000 annually) by August 1, 2027, and offers a $250,000 lump sum option for new claims filed after July 2022. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents who were wrongfully imprisoned and seek financial redress under state law.

Maddy summarySB 4 changes Louisiana's water fluoridation policy by ending the state mandate for fluoridation in public water systems. Instead, it requires local voter approval via election for any system to fluoridate, with exceptions for systems already meeting natural fluoride levels. This directly affects public water systems serving over 5,000 connections that currently fluoridate or need to adjust fluoride levels. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, replacing the previous requirement with a local decision process.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new process for handling sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife seized by Louisiana authorities for unlawful possession. It mandates that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries prioritize releasing healthy animals into the wild or placing injured ones with licensed rehabilitators, zoos, or sanctuaries whenever possible. Euthanasia is strictly limited to situations where no other viable options exist, such as when an animal is suffering from a life-threatening disease or injury, or when release is legally prohibited and no suitable facility is available. The law also requires that any necessary euthanasia follow current American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines to ensure humane treatment.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana bill allows licensed wildlife rehabilitators to legally possess and care for white-tailed deer under specific health and containment rules. It establishes strict protocols for Chronic Wasting Disease, requiring that deer originating from infected zones be released only within the same area and mandating euthanasia if symptoms appear. Additionally, the law prohibits rehabilitating deer that show signs of disease, human habituation, or originate from outside the state. The legislation also sets minimum enclosure sizes and construction standards while requiring advance notice before releasing animals without any identifying tags.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates legal definitions for "dealer" and "retail dealer" in Louisiana's alcoholic beverage laws to clarify who must hold a permit. It explicitly includes businesses that manufacture, sell, or distribute alcohol while excluding establishments that only offer complimentary drinks as part of their main business, provided those drinks are purchased from licensed retailers. The changes aim to reduce ambiguity for businesses operating in the alcohol industry by clearly outlining which activities require licensing. This legislation applies to all businesses involved in the alcohol trade and does not alter existing permit requirements beyond clarifying the definitions.

Maddy summarySB 143 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety to provide bulletproof vests to all "peace officers" (full-time state, municipal, sheriff, or public agency employees whose duties include enforcing laws and making arrests) upon request. It creates a dedicated "Special Protective Equipment Fund" to finance the vests, funded annually by $8.5 million from the state general fund starting July 2026, plus donations or grants. The bill mandates vests meet U.S. Department of Justice standards and must be wholly manufactured in countries part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This law directly affects all eligible law enforcement personnel by ensuring access to standardized protective gear through state-funded provisions.

Maddy summarySB 307 would authorize the display of the Ten Commandments as a historical monument on Louisiana State Capitol grounds, alongside other documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence. The bill requires that such displays include context documents explaining their historical significance to the legal and cultural heritage of Louisiana and the U.S., and mandates that private donations fund the monument without state cost. It references Supreme Court rulings (Van Orden v. Perry and American Legion v. American Humanists Association) that permit religious historical displays on government property when privately funded. The commissioner of administration would oversee the installation, with the bill explicitly prohibiting state funding for the monument.