Rep. Robby Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution expressing the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives on the death of Leroy Cavalier, a longtime Capitol Security Specialist who passed away on December 19, 2025. The resolution acknowledges Cavalier's service as a security specialist at the northeast bollards station and his contributions to the Capitol Security Office before his passing. It formally offers appreciation for his dedicated service and extends wishes for comfort to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Louisiana House of Representatives' condolences for the death of Derek Scott, the son of State Representative Rhonda Gaye Butler. It acknowledges Scott's life at St. Mary's Training School and his impact on his family and community. The document serves as a formal tribute rather than establishing new policy or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses condolences for the death of Joe R. Salter, a former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and officially recognizes his contributions to the state. It acknowledges his long public service career, including his role as Speaker during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, and his subsequent work in various state government positions. The document records his notable accomplishments for posterity and extends appreciation to his family and the Louisiana community he served.

Maddy summaryHB 80 establishes strict liability for owners or operators of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage facilities or pipelines transporting CO2 for geologic storage in Louisiana. This means companies would be held fully responsible for damages caused by CO2 leaks or releases - without needing to prove negligence or fault. The law directly affects energy companies operating these facilities, requiring them to cover all resulting harm to people, property, or the environment. Key provisions mandate that liability applies to any "authorized release or loss of containment" of CO2, shifting the burden from affected parties to the facility operators.

Maddy summaryHB 216 allows attorneys (counsel of record) in Louisiana civil cases to choose their preferred method for receiving court documents (mail, in-person delivery, or electronic) at the start of a case. This change applies only to how legal papers are served between attorneys, not to the public or court procedures. The bill does not alter existing service rules but gives attorneys flexibility to select their most efficient method for future filings. It directly affects civil litigation attorneys handling cases in Louisiana courts. The bill is procedural and does not impose new requirements or change substantive law.

Maddy summaryHB 879 requires carbon dioxide storage facility operators in Louisiana to pay 25% of their federal tax credits (earned under Section 45Q of the U.S. tax code) to landowners whose property hosts the storage operations. Payments must be distributed based on each landowner’s proportion of the total surface acreage contributed to the facility. This directly affects landowners who lease their land for carbon storage projects and operators managing these facilities. The bill mandates this allocation without creating new tax incentives, focusing solely on redirecting existing federal credits to landowners.

Maddy summaryHB 899 establishes Louisiana's first comprehensive regulatory framework for noncoal surface mining (e.g., sand, gravel, stone) by creating the "Louisiana Noncoal Surface Mining Law." It directly affects mining operators, landowners, and the Department of Conservation and Energy, requiring operators to submit reclamation plans before mining to restore land to productive use (e.g., farming, forestry, or recreation) after operations end. Key provisions include mandatory reclamation standards, fees to fund land restoration, the creation of a Noncoal Mine Land Reclamation Fund, and exclusive state authority over permitting and enforcement. The law aims to protect water quality, prevent erosion, preserve property values, and balance resource development with environmental safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 878 prohibits the permitting of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage beneath Louisiana's designated natural and scenic river systems. It directly affects carbon capture project developers seeking underground storage sites under these rivers, as the bill blocks permits for such operations. The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban geologic CO2 storage beneath rivers listed in the scenic river system designation (R.S. 56:1840 et al.), regardless of other legal provisions. This policy change prevents new carbon capture projects from using riverbeds as storage locations.

Maddy summaryHB 877 prohibits carbon capture facilities in Louisiana from sharing pipelines for transporting carbon dioxide to storage sites. The bill directly affects carbon capture project operators and pipeline owners by requiring separate pipelines for each facility's CO2 transport. Its key provision, added to state law (R.S. 30:1116), explicitly bans owners of separate storage facilities from using the same pipeline for CO2 delivery. This creates a new regulatory requirement for pipeline infrastructure planning and construction. The bill aims to prevent shared pipeline usage, though it does not address pipeline safety standards or costs.

Maddy summaryHB 659 limits convenience fees businesses can charge customers for paying with credit or debit cards. It prohibits fees exceeding 2% of the transaction amount or $20 (whichever is lower) for most sales or leases. Businesses must clearly disclose any such fee at checkout points (in-store, online, or on receipts) but the law does not apply to state or local government entities. This directly affects retailers and service providers in Louisiana who accept card payments.