Maddy summaryHB 521 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's property tax system, allowing local taxing authorities (like parishes or municipalities) to adjust property tax rates to the maximum authorized rate from a prior reassessment without requiring new voter approval. The key mechanism permits these authorities to increase rates to the previous year's maximum level using a two-thirds vote of the governing body, after holding a public hearing with proper notice. This change would take effect January 1, 2027, and applies to all property tax collections starting that date. The bill does not change current tax rates but modifies the process for adjusting them, requiring transparency through public hearings while removing the need for separate voter referendums for these adjustments.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 660 increases the state-paid annual salary for assistant district attorneys in Louisiana to $50,500 starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects all assistant district attorneys whose salaries are funded by the state (not local parishes), including those in Orleans Parish. The bill specifies exact salary amounts on set dates (e.g., $50,000 effective 2021, $50,500 effective 2026) and requires separate state appropriations to fund these increases. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no new program or policy beyond the specified pay rates.
Maddy summaryHB 102 creates a new criminal offense for "second degree cruelty to elderly and persons with infirmities," targeting intentional or negligent mistreatment causing serious injury to vulnerable individuals. It directly affects caregivers - including family members, neighbors, nursing homes, and care facilities - and applies to elderly people (60+), those with disabilities, or individuals in residential care settings. Key provisions define the crime, set penalties of up to 40 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 5 years if death occurs), and include an affirmative defense for spiritual healing methods. The bill also designates this offense as a "crime of violence" under Louisiana law, impacting sentencing in related cases.
Maddy summaryHB 273 repeals a Louisiana law that allowed certain parishes to distribute sales and use tax revenue collected from admission tickets to events. This bill directly affects specific Louisiana parishes that previously used this tax revenue for local purposes. The key provision removes the legal authorization for parishes to allocate this tax income, ending a specific funding mechanism for events. The bill does not create new taxes or alter existing tax rates, only eliminating a distribution pathway for revenue already collected.
Maddy summaryHB 851 prohibits intentional releases of 12 or more balloons at a single event, imposing fines similar to other littering violations. It specifically exempts balloon releases by people under 17, biodegradable balloons, indoor releases, scientific/weather balloons (by agencies/institutions), and balloons with tracking devices. The law applies to event organizers planning such releases but does not affect typical balloon use or accidental releases. This amendment to Louisiana's littering statute clarifies penalties for mass balloon releases while allowing for common exceptions.
Maddy summaryHB 285 allows Louisiana high school boards to partner with credit unions to operate on-site branches at high schools. The bill requires these branches to be integrated into the state-mandated financial literacy course (R.S. 17:270), giving students hands-on experience managing personal finances. School boards must establish rules for outside use of buildings, including fees, under this new partnership framework. The policy directly affects high school students, school boards, and credit unions by embedding practical financial education into existing coursework.
Maddy summaryHB 801 creates a "Classic Black" specialty license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles, available to any Louisiana resident who applies for it. The plate features a black background with white numbers and "LOUISIANA" at the top, and requires a $25 annual fee (plus $3.50 handling) on top of standard license taxes. All fees collected will fund emergency vehicle operations training for local governments at the Donald J. Thibodeaux Training Center in Holden. The plate is restricted to passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs, motorcycles, and vans, but requires at least 1,000 applicants before issuance.
Maddy summarySB 104 designates a specific segment of Louisiana Highway 1 in Pointe Coupee Parish (from the intersection with Highway 78 to the Pointe Coupee Parish line) as the "Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway" to honor the renowned author. The bill requires the state transportation department to install signage only if local or private funds cover the costs (capped at $750 per sign for materials and installation). This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, directly affecting the designated highway corridor and its signage. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage and has not yet been voted on.
Maddy summarySB 110 makes it illegal to use an image of a child under 17 to train artificial intelligence models with the intent of generating child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). The bill directly affects AI developers and companies working with training data involving children's images. Key provisions add new language to Louisiana law defining the offense (Section A(3)) and expanding the definition of "child sexual abuse materials" to include AI-generated images of children (Section B(3)). This law specifically prohibits using real or AI-created child images for AI training that could produce CSAM, without requiring the depicted child to be a real person.
Maddy summaryHB 938 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana to reimburse pharmacies at the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus a standard dispensing fee for all prescriptions, regardless of whether the pharmacy is independent or affiliated with the PBM. It prohibits PBMs from retaining rebates from drug manufacturers, mandating that all rebates be passed through to health plan sponsors as lower premiums, reduced patient costs, or broader coverage. The bill also limits payment errors to a 2% rate for prescription claims, establishes a formal appeal process for pharmacies disputing underpayments, and grants state regulators access to PBM data for oversight. This directly affects Louisiana pharmacies, PBMs, and health plans by standardizing payments, increasing transparency, and reducing financial disputes.