Rep. Dixon McMakin

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 202) requires Louisiana justices of the peace to submit campaign finance reports instead of annual financial disclosure statements. It directs the Louisiana Board of Ethics and Legislative Auditor to compile these reports and submit them directly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The key change replaces financial disclosure requirements with campaign finance reporting for justices of the peace. The bill is procedural, focusing on reporting mechanisms rather than substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 2-6, 2025, as CPR and AED Awareness Week in Louisiana to promote public education about life-saving skills. It specifically commends Caroline Ross, Layton Fontenot, and Hayes Kirkpatrick for their real-world actions during a May 2025 medical emergency at a Baton Rouge facility, where they performed CPR and used an AED. The resolution encourages all Louisianans to learn CPR and familiarize themselves with AED use, aligning with the American Heart Association's National CPR Awareness Week. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but serves to highlight the importance of these skills for community safety.

Maddy summaryHB 586 proposes calling a constitutional convention in Louisiana to draft a new state constitution, directly affecting all Louisiana residents through potential changes to the state's foundational law. The bill specifies 105 delegates (elected from parishes and appointed from government associations) to convene on December 2, 2025, with elections for parish delegates scheduled for October 11, 2025. Key mechanisms include setting the convention's structure, requiring the new constitution to be approved by voters, and outlining delegate qualifications and ethical rules. If approved by voters, the new constitution would take effect after the election, replacing the current 1974 document.

Maddy summaryHB 223 increases pay for Louisiana election workers, including polling place commissioners and parish board commissioners who serve during elections. It sets new daily rates: $300 for a polling place supervisor (commissioner-in-charge), $400 for supervisors in multiple precincts, $150 for some certified workers, $250 for others, and $85 for untrained staff. Parish board commissioners will receive $150 for high-turnout elections (with secretary of state approval), $100 for regular elections, and an additional $100 during declared emergencies. The bill also allows for an extra $150 per day for election commissioners during emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 9 expands restrictions on drone use by adding federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited. This directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who would now be barred from flying drones near military bases and related facilities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these sites in the prohibited zones, updating the legal definition without changing penalty terms. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

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 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 summaryHB 309 limits Louisiana state funding to nonprofits or private organizations (not state agencies or local governments) by requiring them to submit detailed funding requests by November 1 each year to specific legislative committees. It prohibits including such funding in the General Appropriation Bill unless the entity follows this process, including submitting a completed request form. Late requests may only be added with approval from budget committees before the legislative deadline. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all state funding requests for these entities.

Maddy summaryHB 558 amends the eligibility requirements for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides tuition assistance for college students. The bill adds specific violent and property crimes to the list of offenses that would disqualify applicants, including aggravated battery, second-degree robbery, and aggravated criminal damage to property. These changes directly affect students with certain criminal convictions who seek to qualify for the state-funded tuition program. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Education after recent committee amendments.