Rep. Robby Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board calculates and presents water bills for all customers, removing the distinction between residential and commercial clients in certain billing contexts. It establishes a new arbitration system with two appointed arbiters per team to handle billing disputes, requiring these teams to hold regular public meetings in each city district to review customer cases. Additionally, the law mandates that existing residential customers receive their fixed rate bills within 120 days of the act's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the Louisiana Legislature to continue funding and expanding the "Greaux the Good" program, which supports farmers markets and direct-to-consumer sales. The bill aims to help low-income residents enrolled in SNAP or WIC buy fresh fruits and vegetables by providing dollar-for-dollar matches at participating local markets. By increasing the number of vendors and shoppers, the program seeks to boost the state's agricultural economy while addressing food insecurity and improving nutrition in vulnerable communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Louisiana Medicaid to cover digital monitoring of vital signs and twenty-four-hour at-home care for patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Under the new rules, healthcare professionals would use digital tools to check for pain crises and recommend at-home services that include hydration, oxygenation, and medical assessments. These provisions aim to allow eligible patients to receive necessary medical treatment in their own homes rather than in a hospital setting. The changes specifically target individuals who already qualify for Medicaid benefits under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana State Forester to create a training program focused on post-traumatic stress and emotional support for wildland firefighters. The legislation aims to help these workers manage the psychological stress associated with their demanding jobs by establishing an educational initiative. It does not allocate specific funding but rather mandates the state forester to develop this support system as part of their duties. The law applies specifically to individuals who fight wildfires and does not extend to other types of emergency responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes computer science a mandatory subject for high school graduation in states that require two units of foreign language study. It achieves this by amending existing graduation requirements to list computer science as an option alongside specific foreign language courses like Spanish. Additionally, the legislation mandates that teacher preparation programs include training on how to teach computer science. These changes directly impact high school students, their graduation plans, and the professional development of future educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new specialty license plate in Louisiana dedicated to the Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band. The plate will be available to any Louisiana vehicle owner, including those driving cars, trucks, and motorcycles, provided there are at least 1,000 applicants. Each plate will cost an additional $25 in royalties, which must be used exclusively to support the university's marching band program, along with a small $3.50 administrative fee. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections is tasked with designing the plate in collaboration with university officials and issuing it once the necessary systems are updated.

Maddy summaryHB 61 is a procedural bill that amends the text of an existing state law regarding National Guard death and disability benefits. The legislation does not create new benefits or change how benefits are calculated; instead, it simply updates the legal citation within the current statute to include a specific introductory paragraph. Because the bill only corrects a reference and contains no new policy provisions, it has no direct impact on veterans or their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires educational institutions and agencies offering commercial driver training to include human trafficking education in their curriculum. The training must be in place by January 1, 2025, but the specific provisions take effect earlier, on August 1, 2024. This change directly affects schools and organizations that teach driving skills to commercial vehicle operators. The legislation aims to ensure that future commercial drivers are informed about human trafficking risks as part of their standard training.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands an existing exception to public bidding laws, allowing local governments to purchase specific vehicles without a competitive bid process. The change directly affects local government units, nonprofit corporations, and fire protection districts by adding "fire service" and "fire fighting or rescue apparatus" to the list of exempt items. Additionally, the bill clarifies that this exemption applies to both paid and volunteer fire departments under various administrative structures. The primary impact is to streamline procurement procedures for emergency response equipment used by these entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study and propose a new legal process for handling injury cases involving damages under $50,000. The goal is to create a faster, simpler way for people who have been harmed to get compensation without waiting long periods due to court backlogs. If the institute recommends such a procedure, the legislature could adopt it to help injured parties receive timely justice. Currently, the bill only authorizes this study and does not change any laws or start the new process itself.