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 summaryHR 20 is a resolution that expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Steven "Steve" Joseph Miguez. It acknowledges his life, business career, competitive shooting achievements, and family.
Maddy summaryHB 46 appropriates $25,000 from Louisiana's state general fund for fiscal year 2024-2025 to pay a court-ordered settlement (consent judgment) in the case *Singleton v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. et al.*. The bill directly affects the state treasury, which must pay the settlement amount, and Troy Singleton, the plaintiff who won the case. Key provisions require payment of the judgment's principal, interest, court costs, and expert fees as specified in the court order, with the state treasurer verifying documentation before disbursement. The payment is effective upon the bill's enactment, halting further interest accrual. This is a procedural funding measure for a specific legal settlement, not a new policy.
Maddy summaryHB 45 appropriates $10,000 from Louisiana's general fund to pay a 2023 court judgment against the state in a case brought by State Farm Insurance. The funds cover the judgment's principal, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees related to a highway incident involving the Department of Transportation and Development. This bill directly affects the state's budget and State Farm, which was awarded the payment under the court's order.
Maddy summaryHB 5 requires Louisiana public school systems to use savings from the Teachers' Retirement System to provide permanent salary increases for teachers and other school employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Certificated staff, such as teachers and administrators, must receive at least a $2,000 raise, while non-certificated staff, including aides and clerical workers, must receive at least $1,000. The bill mandates that these salary increases include associated retirement costs and applies to employees on specific leaves, such as military or maternity leave, provided they remain in their approved positions. If a school district does not have enough savings to cover the full amount of these raises, the remaining cost is to be funded through the state's minimum foundation program formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that charter schools participating in the state retirement system must also comply with these salary increase requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify the rules for transferring juveniles to adult criminal court. It specifically targets individuals under the age of seventeen, allowing them to be prosecuted as adults for certain serious crimes defined by the state legislature. The text changes the language to ensure that only crimes explicitly specified by legislative act, rather than general offenses, are eligible for this transfer process. By making these adjustments, the measure aims to refine the legal framework governing how young offenders are handled in the justice system.
Maddy summaryThis Louisiana bill adds Tianeptine, a substance increasingly used for its sedative effects, to Schedule I of the state's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. By placing it in this category, the legislation classifies Tianeptine as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use within the state. The law applies to any material containing Tianeptine, including its salts and isomers, unless it is part of a product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, this change subjects the substance to the strictest level of regulation, making possession, distribution, and use subject to criminal penalties similar to those for other Schedule I drugs.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana's laws regarding driving under the influence by clarifying implied consent rules for chemical tests involving alcohol, drugs, and their combinations. It applies to drivers of cars, watercraft, and locomotives, requiring them to submit to blood, breath, or urine tests if arrested for operating a vehicle while impaired. The legislation specifically mandates that coroners perform toxicology screens on victims of traffic fatalities and ensures these results can be used as evidence in court. Additionally, it defines "drug" broadly to include any substance that impairs a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Maddy summaryHB 577 prohibits social media companies from collecting data on minors to use for targeted advertising. The law directly affects children under the age of 18 and the digital platforms that serve them. By restricting how these companies gather and utilize personal information from young users, the bill aims to limit their ability to show ads based on the habits and preferences of minors. This measure represents a concrete change in commercial regulations without speculating on its broader economic or social impacts.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to help prisoners transition from prison to mental health care. It requires the corrections department to allow incarcerated individuals to join the program, removing the previous requirement that they must apply for it. The legislation aims to streamline access to mental health services for inmates as they prepare for release.
