Rep. Dixon McMakin

Maddy summaryHB 408, known as "The Gillian Guiffreda Act," mandates that health insurance plans cover treatments for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and related conditions. This directly affects children diagnosed with PANS - a severe neurological condition causing sudden behavioral and cognitive changes - and their families, who previously faced barriers to insurance coverage for specialized care. The bill requires insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments related to these conditions, without imposing additional out-of-pocket costs on patients. It focuses on ensuring access to established medical care rather than creating new treatments or programs.

Maddy summarySB 42 is a technical amendment to clarify which state office oversees perinatal behavioral health treatment services. It corrects the reference from "office of group benefits" to the properly capitalized "Office of Group Benefits" in the bill text. This change affects administrative processes within the state's health care system but does not alter eligibility, funding, or patient access to perinatal mental health services. The bill focuses solely on updating terminology for clarity in existing policy language.

Maddy summaryHB 640 creates the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction within the state Department of Transportation. The bill grants this new office authority to use emergency procurement procedures for highway projects until January 1, 2026, mirroring existing rules for the broader transportation department. This directly affects state transportation operations by establishing a dedicated unit with specific buying powers for highway construction needs. The bill focuses on administrative structure and procurement processes, not on changing road standards or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 86 amends a technical wording in the membership rules for East Baton Rouge Parish's Recreation and Park Commission. It changes the phrase "decennial federal" to "federal decennial" in reference to census data used for commission appointments. The bill does not alter policy or affect specific residents; it only corrects the statutory language governing how commission members are selected. This is a procedural adjustment to ensure clarity in the existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 556 is a technical correction bill that updates outdated legal references in Louisiana law regarding the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). It revises specific statute citations (such as R.S. 48:23, 76(C), 92, and 94) to align with current code sections, ensuring DOTD's operational procedures reference the correct laws. This procedural bill does not change DOTD's duties, funding, or public-facing policies - it only corrects statutory language for administrative accuracy. The bill affects the DOTD's internal operations by ensuring its legal framework matches current state statutes. (Note: This is a technical amendment, not a substantive policy change.)

Maddy summaryHB 264 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers to increase transparency around drug pricing and compensation practices. It prohibits PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for claims (Amendment 7) and mandates drug manufacturers to notify the state commissioner of significant price increases (over 15% for brand drugs or "specialty" drugs) with explanations (Amendment 16). The bill also creates a fund for enforcement (Amendment 3) and requires PBMs to notify pharmacies of payment errors and allow claim corrections (Amendment 10). These provisions directly affect pharmacies, PBMs, and drug manufacturers by altering how drug costs and rebates are disclosed and managed.

Maddy summaryHB 617 updates the legal references within Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) by changing titles and terminology. It replaces terms like "administrator" with "administrator assistant secretary," removes "child welfare" references, and updates them to "Louisiana Works" in multiple sections of the law. The bill has no financial or operational impact on services, as noted in the bill's "EN NO IMPACT" designation. This is purely an administrative adjustment to align legal language with current department structure and program naming.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution urges the EPA to fast-track testing and approval of a feral hog toxicant developed by LSU AgCenter. It specifically requests the EPA use an existing exemption (Limited Replicated Field Trials) to bypass the typical 10-year review process, directly affecting Louisiana agriculture which faces over $90 million in annual damages from feral hogs. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks federal agencies to expedite safety testing for a sodium nitrite-based solution to address the invasive species threat.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 347) urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to seek formal input and approval from state lawmakers representing a parish *before* allocating or reallocating transportation funding for projects in that area. It directly affects parishes on the DOTD's priority funding list or those receiving transportation funds, requiring DOTD to consult with their local legislative delegation (state representatives and senators) on project decisions. The key provision mandates that DOTD obtain this input prior to final funding decisions, aiming to increase local accountability and ensure projects align with community priorities. The resolution passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on June 10, 2025, but remains a non-binding request to DOTD.

Maddy summaryHR 315 is a resolution urging Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to study the D.R.I.V.E. Initiative, which focuses on improving safety and capacity at the I-12/I-55 interchange in southeastern Louisiana. It specifically requests DOTD to examine widening shoulders and other upgrades to address traffic congestion, safety risks, and emergency response delays affecting daily commuters and commercial traffic. The resolution requires DOTD to develop a ready-to-implement plan by August 2026 and report findings to the House Transportation Committee. This is a procedural request for study, not a funding or construction mandate, directly impacting DOTD's planning process and regional transportation infrastructure.