Rep. Roger Wilder

Maddy summaryHB 248 revises the rules for public access to insurance rates and supporting information filed with the Insurance Commissioner. While most of this information will be publicly available, insurers can mark certain data as confidential, trade secret, or proprietary. The Commissioner will decide if such marked information should be disclosed; however, if a request is made for marked information, the Commissioner must notify the insurer of their decision. Insurers then have ten days to request a hearing to challenge the Commissioner's determination, which temporarily stops the disclosure process. This ensures a review process for information designated as sensitive by insurers.

Maddy summaryHCR 19 is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's condolences on the death of former state representative Billy Wayne "Coach" Montgomery, acknowledging his contributions as an educator, coach, and public servant.

Maddy summaryHB 435 proposes to establish limitations on the amount of general damages that can be claimed in civil lawsuits. An amendment indicates that in a suit for damages arising from a civil wrong (delictual action), the person who committed the wrong (tortfeasor) would not be required to pay an amount beyond a certain point. This bill would affect individuals and entities involved in civil litigation where damages are sought. However, the provided text of the amendment is incomplete, so the precise mechanisms or specific limitations are not fully described.

Maddy summaryHB 449 addresses regulations concerning the fees that attorneys reasonably expect to earn, directly affecting attorneys and their clients. An amendment to the bill clarifies that its provisions are not considered a violation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Another amendment removed a provision for penalties from the bill's scope. The specific details of how it provides relative to these fees are not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 427, titled "CIVIL/PROCEDURE: Provides for a reversionary trust," establishes provisions related to the administration of a reversionary medical trust. The bill clarifies that the trust is intended to authorize payments for medical claims and related benefits. It mandates that the trustee managing this medical trust must provide an annual accounting to the claimant, detailing all payments made on their behalf for medical care and related benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 443 amends civil procedure related to notifications in "delictual actions," which are civil lawsuits involving harm or damage. The bill requires a plaintiff's attorney to notify the defendant in writing if the defendant has insurance that may cover a portion of the damages. This notification must be provided within twenty business days of the plaintiff's counsel being retained. This new requirement affects plaintiffs' attorneys by adding a specific notification duty and defendants by ensuring they are informed about their potential insurance coverage early in the legal process.

Maddy summaryHB 336 amends the Code of Civil Procedure to revise the rules for where lawsuits involving uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance policies can be filed. It specifies that these actions should generally be brought in the parish where the wrongful conduct occurred or where the defendant is domiciled. However, if the lawsuit is solely against the UM/UIM policy, it may also be filed in the insured person's home parish. This bill directly affects individuals with UM/UIM policies, insurance companies, and defendants involved in related vehicle accidents.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 430 creates the Louisiana Lawyer Advertising and Unfair Trade Practices Act, regulating advertisements for services, particularly legal services. The bill prohibits individuals and entities (excluding media companies) from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements about the monetary results obtained for clients. A statement is considered misleading if it implies a client received a net amount of money that they did not actually receive after all expenses, including attorney fees, are deducted. Violations are classified as unfair trade practices, allowing the attorney general to pursue enforcement actions and recover associated costs and fees.

Maddy summaryHB 34 revises how medical expenses are handled in civil lawsuits, impacting claimants seeking recovery for medical costs and parties involved in trials. It limits the recovery of medical expenses to amounts considered reasonable for the claim. The bill allows any party to introduce evidence of both the billed and paid amounts for medical services. Furthermore, agreements between healthcare providers and third parties, such as letters of protection with attorneys, will be admissible as evidence to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Coach Hank Tierney and the Archbishop Shaw High School football team for winning the Louisiana High School Athletic Association 2024 Division II Select state championship. It formally recognizes their outstanding season and congratulates them on their achievement.