Rep. Debbie Villio

Maddy summaryHB 675 is a procedural amendment to a bill related to post-conviction relief procedures. It specifically changes the reference from "LPD Fund" to "Overcollections Fund" in a technical section of the legislation. This amendment does not alter substantive post-conviction relief processes or directly affect individuals seeking relief. The change is administrative, updating the name of a specific fund used for handling excess payments. The bill is currently scheduled for floor debate following committee approval.

Maddy summaryHB 445 requires the state bureau handling juvenile records to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing how it processes public record requests. The report must include specific data for the previous year, such as the total requests received, how many were fulfilled or denied, the identity of requestors, and the dates each request was received and completed. This bill directly affects the bureau (which manages juvenile records) and the legislature (which receives the report). It does not change access to juvenile records but mandates transparency in how the bureau handles these requests. The key mechanism is the annual reporting requirement with detailed metrics, as specified in the bill's amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 14 amends criminal code provisions to specifically include "the elderly and person with infirmities" as protected groups in homicide and cruelty offenses. The bill directly affects individuals committing crimes against vulnerable adults - such as the elderly or those with physical/mental limitations - by adding these groups to existing aggravating factors. Key provisions include inserting "the elderly and" into definitions of cruelty and modifying language to explicitly cover intentional cruelty to these groups alongside other offenses. If passed, the bill would increase penalties for crimes targeting these vulnerable populations under current criminal statutes. The bill was favorably reported by committee on April 29, 2025, and remains under consideration.

Maddy summarySB 14 delays the implementation date for certain nutrition-related public health provisions from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028. The bill directly affects state public health programs implementing these nutrition standards. This amendment, adopted by the Senate with unanimous support, adjusts the timeline for compliance without altering the underlying policy requirements. The full bill's specific nutrition provisions are not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 624 transfers specific family and support programs currently managed by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It also renames the Workforce Commission to "Louisiana Works" and removes references to DCFS in related statutes. This change directly affects the agencies involved and the individuals receiving these services, such as those accessing workforce development or family support programs. The bill modifies legal references to ensure seamless program transfer without altering the core services provided.

Maddy summaryHB 36 modifies Louisiana's legal definition of "illegal controlled substance" to include consumable hemp products that violate specific state laws (R.S. 3:1482-1483). It creates legal protections for businesses selling these products by blocking civil lawsuits in three specific situations: if a business was renewing a valid permit (with application under review), if the product was approved by the Louisiana Department of Health at the time of the incident, or if the product had prior approval without revocation for over 60 days. These exemptions do not apply if a minor is injured. The bill directly affects hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and their liability in civil cases, aiming to reduce lawsuits over regulatory compliance.

Maddy summarySB 202 (as described in its title) proposes transferring the University of New Orleans to the Louisiana State University System. However, the provided bill text only shows a technical amendment correcting a reference within existing law (changing "Subsection (C)(2)" to "R.S. 17:3230.1(C)(2)"), not the substantive transfer itself. This appears to be a procedural amendment related to the transfer process, not a new policy. The bill is currently in committee (Education) after recent amendments and is awaiting further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 640 creates the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction within the state Department of Transportation. The bill grants this new office authority to use emergency procurement procedures for highway projects until January 1, 2026, mirroring existing rules for the broader transportation department. This directly affects state transportation operations by establishing a dedicated unit with specific buying powers for highway construction needs. The bill focuses on administrative structure and procurement processes, not on changing road standards or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 556 is a technical correction bill that updates outdated legal references in Louisiana law regarding the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). It revises specific statute citations (such as R.S. 48:23, 76(C), 92, and 94) to align with current code sections, ensuring DOTD's operational procedures reference the correct laws. This procedural bill does not change DOTD's duties, funding, or public-facing policies - it only corrects statutory language for administrative accuracy. The bill affects the DOTD's internal operations by ensuring its legal framework matches current state statutes. (Note: This is a technical amendment, not a substantive policy change.)

Maddy summaryHB 264 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers to increase transparency around drug pricing and compensation practices. It prohibits PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for claims (Amendment 7) and mandates drug manufacturers to notify the state commissioner of significant price increases (over 15% for brand drugs or "specialty" drugs) with explanations (Amendment 16). The bill also creates a fund for enforcement (Amendment 3) and requires PBMs to notify pharmacies of payment errors and allow claim corrections (Amendment 10). These provisions directly affect pharmacies, PBMs, and drug manufacturers by altering how drug costs and rebates are disclosed and managed.