Rep. Tim Kerner

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that asks the U.S. Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, which would directly benefit Louisiana's commercial fishing and seafood processing industries. The proposed act would allow fishermen and processors to access USDA loans and grants currently reserved for farming, enabling them to buy vessels, upgrade facilities, and cover operating costs. It also expands USDA programs to include wild-caught fish and supports businesses that provide services to the fishing industry. As a memorial resolution, this document serves as a formal request from the Louisiana Legislature rather than enacting the policy changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal request from the Louisiana legislature to the U.S. Congress and federal health agencies to speed up research and clinical trials for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It does not create new laws or change funding directly but instead asks federal officials to prioritize efforts to develop better treatments for this aggressive blood cancer. The resolution also names these proposed research efforts the "Jonas A. Feeley Act" to honor a recent victim of the disease. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic gesture to advocate for increased federal attention on improving survival rates for patients with this condition.

Maddy summaryHB 74 proposes creating a "Spectrum Alert" system in Louisiana to assist law enforcement in locating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who go missing. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a public notification system that verifies a child’s missing status, issues community alerts via text/email/flyers, and coordinates with private entities. It also mandates specialized training for officers on ASD responses and de-escalation tactics, while granting legal immunity to participating law enforcement, broadcasters, and others. The bill directly affects children with ASD, their families, and law enforcement agencies across Louisiana.

Maddy summarySB 32 establishes the Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within Louisiana's Department of Health to improve support for families experiencing pregnancy loss or infant death. The bill requires hospitals providing maternity care to receive staff training on supporting grieving parents, access to bereavement resources (like counseling referrals), and perinatal bereavement devices. It prioritizes hospitals serving high-risk patients, delivering many babies, or lacking current bereavement resources. The initiative can fund these services using voluntary monies, including federal grants and donations, without imposing new taxes.

Maddy summarySB 105 amends Louisiana's TOPS program to expand eligibility for the TOPS-Tech Award to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. military installations located in Louisiana. To qualify, veterans must earn a 17+ ACT score (or equivalent SAT/ACT WorkKeys silver level) and submit their DD-214 discharge documents. The bill specifically applies to the 2020-2023 academic years and targets veterans who served at Louisiana military bases. It modifies existing eligibility rules without changing funding or creating new benefits, focusing solely on qualifying veterans for technical college financial aid.

Maddy summaryHB 721 modifies Louisiana's commercial shrimp harvesting rules by allowing licensed shrimpers to begin trawling in Vermilion Bay, East Cote Blanche Bay, and West Cote Blanche Bay at 5:30 a.m. during open seasons, instead of the previous nighttime ban. This change specifically affects commercial shrimp harvesters operating in those three bays, removing the prohibition on night shrimping that previously restricted operations from sunset to sunrise. The bill amends existing law (R.S. 56:499.4) to create this exception, while maintaining other nighttime restrictions in different areas like Atchafalaya Bay. The proposal is currently pending in the Natural Resources and Environment Committee after being prefied on February 27, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 857 requires seafood processors and distributors in Louisiana to clearly label products that are a mix of imported and domestic seafood. It mandates that if seafood is commingled (mixed), it must be labeled as such, not falsely marketed as entirely domestic. The law allows the Louisiana Department of Agriculture to test suspected mislabeled seafood and impose civil penalties on violators. This bill directly affects businesses handling seafood in the state and aims to prevent deceptive labeling practices. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 680 updates Louisiana's workforce development system to align with federal requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It establishes a unified statewide planning process, replaces fragmented local workforce boards with a coordinated system, and allows the state to seek federal waivers to reduce administrative costs. The bill directs more funding toward direct job training and employment services (rather than overhead) and requires Louisiana Works to prioritize measurable employment outcomes for workers and employers. This affects state agencies, local workforce boards, businesses seeking skilled workers, and job seekers needing training.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives regarding the tragic loss of eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana. It specifically names the eight victims and describes their personal qualities to honor their memories. The bill is a symbolic gesture intended to offer comfort to the families and friends of the deceased.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that expresses the Louisiana House of Representatives' condolences for the tragic death of eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana. It directly affects the families and loved ones of the deceased by offering official sympathy from the legislative body. The resolution lists the names of the children and briefly describes their positive qualities and school affiliations. It does not create any new laws or change existing policies, as it is purely a symbolic gesture of mourning.