Rep. Dodie Horton

Maddy summaryHB 238 creates new tax deductions for Louisiana taxpayers covering education expenses: full tuition deductions for private school (up to $6,000 per child), 50% deductions for home-schooling costs (up to $6,000 per child), and 50% deductions for certain public school expenses (up to $6,000 per child). It directly affects parents who claim children as dependents on federal tax returns and pay for qualifying education. The bill also requires child welfare agencies to annually report adoption details and foster care organization information to the tax department. All deductions are capped at $6,000 per child and tied to federal dependency claims.

Maddy summaryHB 19 is a procedural amendment to clarify the administrative structure of the Firefighters' Retirement System's Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). It corrects a technical reference in the bill text by changing "Subpart" to "Chapter" on page 2, line 27. This adjustment ensures consistent terminology in the legislation but does not alter any retirement benefits, eligibility rules, or financial obligations for firefighters. The bill affects how the plan is documented within the retirement system's framework, not the actual participation or administration of the DROP program.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 280) requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study whether digital products (like apps or software) should be covered under Louisiana’s Products Liability Act, which currently applies to physical products. It asks the Institute to recommend to the legislature by February 2026 whether digital product designers and manufacturers should face the same safety standards as makers of physical products. The study aims to address legal gaps highlighted by recent court cases involving digital platforms and clarify liability for digital products in Louisiana. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to inform future policy decisions. It directly affects digital product companies operating in Louisiana by potentially subjecting them to new liability standards.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution urges the EPA to fast-track testing and approval of a feral hog toxicant developed by LSU AgCenter. It specifically requests the EPA use an existing exemption (Limited Replicated Field Trials) to bypass the typical 10-year review process, directly affecting Louisiana agriculture which faces over $90 million in annual damages from feral hogs. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks federal agencies to expedite safety testing for a sodium nitrite-based solution to address the invasive species threat.

Maddy summaryHR 279 is a non-binding resolution condemning the June 1, 2025, antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. It formally expresses legislative disapproval of the incident and the use of improvised incendiary weapons during the attack, as clarified by an amendment correcting the bill’s description of the weapon. The resolution directly addresses the public and lawmakers, emphasizing unity against antisemitism. It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals or groups. This is a procedural statement, not a policy change, with no financial or regulatory impact.

Maddy summaryHB 358 allows pharmacy technicians to work remotely under specific circumstances, directly affecting pharmacy technicians employed in licensed pharmacies. The bill amends existing law to permit technicians to perform duties from locations outside a physical pharmacy, provided they use secure remote systems. The state board of pharmacy must create implementing rules to govern this remote work arrangement, ensuring compliance with safety and licensing standards. This change modifies current regulations without altering core pharmacy operations or patient care requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 268 amends outdated legal terminology in Louisiana law regarding pornography involving juveniles, specifically correcting references from "Articles" to "Sections" in two code sections (R.S. 14:81.1 and 14:648(B)(3)(i)). The bill does not change legal definitions, penalties, or protections; it only updates how these provisions are cited in legal documents. This technical correction directly affects court records, legal filings, and law enforcement documentation referencing these specific statutes. The changes streamline legal references without altering the underlying criminal law.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 31) requests the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) to avoid scheduling games during Easter weekend (Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday). It directly addresses the LHSAA, asking them to pause athletic events to allow student athletes and families time for religious observance of the Lenten season's end. The resolution cites that families in Louisiana often observe these days and that athletes deserve uninterrupted family time without choosing between sports and religious traditions. It is a non-binding request, not a law, and does not require the LHSAA to comply.

Maddy summaryHB 16 protects nonprofits from civil lawsuits when they donate medical supplies that are in proper working condition and have not been recalled. It directly affects nonprofit organizations providing medical equipment, ensuring they aren't held liable for issues arising after donation if the supplies met these conditions. The bill adds specific requirements: supplies must be functional at donation and free from prior recalls, and the liability protection extends to the nonprofit's employees and agents. This change clarifies legal safeguards for nonprofits supporting healthcare access during emergencies or community needs.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires online platforms to exercise a duty of care when entering binding contracts with minors. This means platforms must take reasonable steps to protect minors during these agreements, such as ensuring terms are understandable and avoiding exploitative practices. The bill directly affects companies offering digital services, apps, or content that contract with users under 18. It recently passed a committee with amendments (11-0) and now has an effective date set for June 1, 2026, after a deadline change from March 1, 2026.