Rep. Kim Coates

Maddy summaryHB 346 renames a specific section of U.S. Highway 171 in Florien, Louisiana (from Louisiana Highway 118 to Sandra Lane) as the "Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway." The bill directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage for this redesignation, provided local or private funds cover the department's actual costs (up to $750 per sign). This is a procedural naming bill with no substantive policy changes affecting residents, programs, or funding. It solely honors Speaker Joe Salter through a highway designation.

Maddy summaryHB 841 establishes new rules for property takings (expropriation) in Louisiana, primarily affecting landowners and pipeline companies with expropriation authority. It requires pipeline operators to provide detailed written notices to landowners before seeking property, conduct appraisals by disinterested third parties, and engage in at least five in-person negotiation meetings. The bill mandates a 30-day response period for landowners to review offers and contest takings on grounds like lack of good-faith negotiation or procedural violations. It also shifts court costs to the expropriating authority (not landowners) and empowers the Department of Conservation and Energy to revoke certificates for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySB 244 would establish a new recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana, separate from existing commercial hunting. It requires hunters to obtain a special alligator hunting license and recreational harvest tags issued by the Louisiana Wildlife Commission, and prohibits hunting outside designated seasons, without proper licenses/tags, or using illegal methods. The bill allows the Commission to set specific seasons, harvest quotas, residency rules, and permitted hunting hours by geographic area. Violations would be classified as a class three violation, with penalties specified in the bill. This directly affects Louisiana residents and visitors seeking to hunt alligators recreationally under new rules.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 4) suspends Louisiana’s rules restricting supplemental feeding and baiting for deer hunting in chronic wasting disease (CWD) control areas for 18 months. It directly affects hunters, landowners, and local businesses in CWD zones by temporarily lifting bans on baiting and feeding practices that were previously prohibited in "Enhanced Mitigation Zones" and restricted in "Buffer Zones." The suspension aims to support traditional hunting methods and reduce economic impacts on rural communities while allowing further study of CWD management. The resolution requires the state register to publish a summary of this change in the Louisiana Register.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution officially designates November 16, 2026, as Sanfilippo Syndrome Awareness Day within the state. The measure encourages residents to recognize the impact of this rare genetic disorder and to support affected families and researchers. It does not change existing laws or allocate funding, but rather serves as a commemorative observance.

Maddy summaryHB 839 modifies Louisiana's public contracting rules for hospital service districts. It allows these districts to perform construction projects costing $1 million or less using their own employees without public bidding, provided the work isn't split to avoid bidding requirements. The bill also clarifies that hospital service districts cannot use "construction management at risk" (CMAR) for projects under $1 million, and requires 60 days' notice to legislative committees for CMAR projects under $15 million. This directly affects Louisiana's 25+ hospital service districts by changing their procurement options for smaller construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine and establishes a new licensing framework for naturopathic doctors in the state. The legislation defines the scope of practice for naturopathic medicine, including permitted therapies, diagnostic procedures, and minor office surgeries, while also outlining requirements for education, training, and professional conduct. It grants licensed naturopathic doctors the authority to prescribe certain medications, order diagnostic tests, and compound drugs for individual patient needs, subject to specific limitations and regulations. The bill also transfers oversight of naturopathic medicine from existing agencies to the Louisiana Department of Health and sets rules for advertising, credential display, and fees associated with the new licensing system.

Maddy summaryHB 919 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) plus the state's professional dispensing fee per prescription, with a minimum $12 per prescription. It prohibits PBMs from owning or contracting with pharmacies (including subsidiaries) and mandates annual transparency reports detailing foreign subsidiaries and financial arrangements with drug manufacturers. PBMs violating these rules face fines up to $100,000 per violation for executives, with unlimited liability for large PBMs ($500M+ revenue). The law applies retroactively to prescriptions filled between January 1, 2025, and December 1, 2025, and becomes fully effective for new requirements in 2027. These provisions directly affect pharmacies, pharmacists, and PBMs operating in Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Tuesday, April 7, 2026, as Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to recognize the annual event in Tangipahoa Parish. The resolution highlights the festival's role in supporting local strawberry farmers, raising funds for charitable organizations, and celebrating the region's agricultural heritage. It formally acknowledges the festival's history, economic impact, and the contributions of its 2026 organizers and participants, including the festival royalty and leadership team.

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.