Rep. Barbara Freiberg

Maddy summaryHB 260 is a procedural bill that names itself "The Segus Jolivette Act" and adjusts section numbering within the legislation. It does not change any substantive homicide laws or affect specific individuals or policies. The bill’s sole provisions are administrative: naming the act after Segus Jolivette (a person likely recognized for contributions to criminal justice) and correcting section numbering. This is a commemorative measure with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summarySB 156, titled "HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Provides for in vitro fertilization," establishes a legal framework for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The bill directly affects individuals seeking IVF services and healthcare providers offering these treatments by creating clear regulatory standards. While the provided text shows minor editorial amendments (correcting "invitro" to "in vitro" and punctuation), the bill's core purpose is to define legal parameters for IVF, though specific provisions like patient rights or provider requirements are not detailed in the excerpt. It passed the Senate with amendments and is now moving to the House for consideration.

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 226 allocates $100,000 annually from East Baton Rouge Parish's Enhancement Fund for urban mass transit in the parish, requiring these funds to supplement - never replace - existing transit funding. Another $100,000 annually must go to the Baton Rouge Sports Foundation, but cannot be used to pay the salary or benefits of Visit Baton Rouge's executive director for tourism promotion. The remaining funds in the Enhancement Fund are directed to the Riverside Centroplex Arena and Exhibition Center, with unspent balances rolling over to the next fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 296 would allow East Baton Rouge Parish to rebate sales and use tax revenue collected on event admissions, concessions, and parking to event promoters under specific conditions. It applies to events held in publicly owned facilities with 7,500+ seating capacity or multi-day events with 7,500+ average daily attendance. The bill requires Visit Baton Rouge to recommend rebates and the parish governing authority to approve them before ticket sales begin, with rebates issued within 90 days of proof. This bill is currently pending in the Louisiana legislature and has not been enacted.

Maddy summaryHCR 37 establishes the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Task Force within the state's higher education system. The task force will develop strategies to prevent hazing at colleges and universities, directly affecting public and private higher education institutions. The resolution names the task force after Caleb Wilson, honoring his memory, though the bill does not detail specific prevention methods or funding mechanisms. This is a procedural resolution creating a new body, not a law imposing new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 294 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Louisiana distributes severance taxes collected from natural resource extraction (like oil or gas). It would require 20% of these taxes (excluding sulfur, lignite, and timber) to be remitted to the parish where extraction occurs, removing the current $850,000 annual cap on payments. Instead, the maximum amount would increase each July 1 based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index. This directly affects parishes with resource extraction, allowing them to receive larger, inflation-adjusted payments starting in 2027. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election.

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 summaryHR 180 creates a study group to examine truancy in Louisiana public schools and assess whether changes to how student attendance is counted could better address the issue. The group will specifically review if adjustments to the current attendance-based method used in school funding formulas are needed. This bill directly affects public schools, as funding decisions rely on student attendance data. The study aims to evaluate if modifying how attendance is measured would improve school funding accuracy and truancy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 264 is a House resolution commending James DeGraauw, WAFB-TV's chief photographer, for his 43-year career covering Louisiana news, weather, sports, and major events like hurricanes and sports championships. The resolution recognizes his service since joining WAFB in 1982, including coverage of Louisiana governors and statewide events, and his roots as a Nicholls State University graduate from Abbeville. Adopted by the Louisiana House of Representatives on June 2, 2025, it formally honors his contributions without creating new laws or policies. This is a ceremonial resolution, directly affecting only James DeGraauw as the recipient of the commendation.