Rep. Kim Carver

Maddy summaryHB 439 proposes to establish a limit on attorney fees, directly affecting attorneys and their clients by regulating the maximum fees that can be charged for legal services. While the specific details of this limit are not provided in the available text, recent amendments removed original provisions related to penalties and an entire page of the bill.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 430 creates the Louisiana Lawyer Advertising and Unfair Trade Practices Act, regulating advertisements for services, particularly legal services. The bill prohibits individuals and entities (excluding media companies) from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements about the monetary results obtained for clients. A statement is considered misleading if it implies a client received a net amount of money that they did not actually receive after all expenses, including attorney fees, are deducted. Violations are classified as unfair trade practices, allowing the attorney general to pursue enforcement actions and recover associated costs and fees.

Maddy summaryHB 440, as amended, addresses insurance claims and the recovery process for claimants. The bill establishes new proceedings that specifically consider a claimant's failure to use their personal health insurance to mitigate damages. It also removes certain provisions related to subrogation concerning insurance payments. This legislation directly impacts individuals making insurance claims and the insurance companies involved in those claims.

Maddy summaryHB 34 revises how medical expenses are handled in civil lawsuits, impacting claimants seeking recovery for medical costs and parties involved in trials. It limits the recovery of medical expenses to amounts considered reasonable for the claim. The bill allows any party to introduce evidence of both the billed and paid amounts for medical services. Furthermore, agreements between healthcare providers and third parties, such as letters of protection with attorneys, will be admissible as evidence to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryHR 68 is a resolution that commends Steve Masters, the director of LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry, on the occasion of his retirement. It recognizes his dedicated service since 1991 and extends well wishes as he transitions to a new role as the Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministry state development director.

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 222 modifies Louisiana's property tax calculation for banks by allowing them to deduct 51% of the assessed value of real estate, buildings, and fixtures owned by a subsidiary corporation (controlled by the bank) from their tax base. This change directly affects banks that own property through separate subsidiaries where the bank holds all capital stock (excluding directors' shares). The bill increases the deduction amount used to calculate banks' ad valorem tax liability, applying to tax years beginning in 2026. It does not alter the overall tax rate but adjusts how certain bank-owned property is valued for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 623 consolidates Louisiana's regulations for selling used motor vehicles into the existing framework for new vehicle sales, effectively dissolving the separate Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill merges all licensing, sales, and dealer requirements for used vehicles under the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission, repealing specific sections that governed used vehicles (like R.S. 32:781-808) and transferring the commission's duties, property, and employees to the main commission. Key provisions include updating definitions, clarifying language, and aligning used vehicle sales rules with those for new vehicles to streamline oversight. This change directly affects used vehicle dealers and sellers by subjecting them to the same regulatory system as new vehicle dealers.

Maddy summaryHB 571 reclassifies barge line and towing vessels for property tax purposes in Louisiana. It removes these marine vessels from the definition of "major movable property" and instead includes them under "other movable property" for ad valorem tax assessments. This change directly affects barge and towing companies operating in Louisiana, altering how their vessels are taxed. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

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.