Rep. John Wyble

Maddy summaryHB 261 amends criminal code provisions related to the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones). It makes technical changes to section references (updating "(F)" to "(G)") and clarifies that certain prohibitions apply beyond limited circumstances by removing the word "only" from one provision. The bill directly affects individuals who operate drones in ways that violate these amended criminal code sections. These changes are procedural updates to existing law, not new policy. The bill passed committee and advanced to third reading in the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 99 defines "mobile speed camera" in Louisiana law to include handheld, unmanned, or portable devices that capture speeding violations via photos or video showing a vehicle's license plate. It requires that citations issued by these devices be sent by mail and prohibits imposing criminal fines or fees for such violations. The bill also explicitly states that failure to pay these citations will not be reported to credit bureaus. This law directly affects drivers cited for speeding by mobile cameras and the agencies operating them.

Maddy summaryHB 72 modifies Louisiana's statute of limitations for certain debts owed to educational or charitable entities. It sets a 30-year limit for lawsuits over debts like student loans, stipends, or benefits due to charitable institutions or funds (excluding federal student loans), and a 10-year limit for non-student-loan debts owed to public universities. All claims must be documented in writing to be enforceable. The bill applies retroactively to existing debts but does not revive claims already resolved before its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 387 allows Louisiana's Department of Veterans Affairs to charge reasonable rates for maintenance and care at state veterans facilities to nonveteran residents who are financially capable of paying. It requires the department to establish a payment system considering the income and estate of nonveteran residents, similar to how veterans' payment capability is assessed. This bill directly affects nonveteran residents of state-run veterans facilities who meet the financial criteria for payment. The policy change modifies existing rules to explicitly include nonveterans in the facility care charging structure.

Maddy summaryHB 273 establishes the official state children's Christmas book, designating a specific title as a state symbol. The bill’s amendments (Amendment No. 1 and 2) corrected minor drafting errors, such as removing unnecessary "the" before "Cajun" in the text. This is a symbolic procedural bill with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or state programs. It focuses solely on naming a children’s Christmas book for official recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 345 changes the deadline for residential property insurers to provide certain notices to homeowners, specifically shifting the required notice date from January to July. This directly affects homeowners receiving insurance notices and insurers who must comply with the timing requirement. The bill amends a provision in the current law to delay the notice deadline by six months, aiming to align with seasonal insurance renewal cycles. The change was approved by the Insurance Committee and passed to third reading in April 2025. No other substantive policy changes are described in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 294 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Louisiana distributes severance taxes collected from natural resource extraction (like oil or gas). It would require 20% of these taxes (excluding sulfur, lignite, and timber) to be remitted to the parish where extraction occurs, removing the current $850,000 annual cap on payments. Instead, the maximum amount would increase each July 1 based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index. This directly affects parishes with resource extraction, allowing them to receive larger, inflation-adjusted payments starting in 2027. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 594 establishes a flat insurance premium tax rate in Louisiana and provides phased tax reductions for qualifying insurance businesses over time. It reduces the tax rate to 50% of the standard amount for 2029, 67% for 2030, and 83% for 2031. The bill also defines "qualifying Louisiana investments" (such as state bonds, mortgages, or stocks in Louisiana-domiciled companies) that insurers can hold to earn tax credits. These provisions directly affect insurance companies operating in Louisiana that meet specific criteria, including being domiciled in the state and maintaining core operations there. The tax changes apply to businesses issuing health maintenance, life, or surplus lines insurance.

Maddy summaryHB 223 increases pay for Louisiana election workers, including polling place commissioners and parish board commissioners who serve during elections. It sets new daily rates: $300 for a polling place supervisor (commissioner-in-charge), $400 for supervisors in multiple precincts, $150 for some certified workers, $250 for others, and $85 for untrained staff. Parish board commissioners will receive $150 for high-turnout elections (with secretary of state approval), $100 for regular elections, and an additional $100 during declared emergencies. The bill also allows for an extra $150 per day for election commissioners during emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 9 expands restrictions on drone use by adding federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited. This directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who would now be barred from flying drones near military bases and related facilities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these sites in the prohibited zones, updating the legal definition without changing penalty terms. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.