Rep. Joe Stagni

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a task force to study the feasibility of building a regional water purification facility serving Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Charles parishes. The task force, composed of appointed representatives from these parishes and the City Services Coalition, will assess strategies for operation and management and submit a report to local authorities by March 15, 2026. The effort specifically addresses challenges like saltwater intrusion impacting drinking water quality in the region.

Maddy summaryHB 391 modifies Louisiana's teacher evaluation system by adjusting how student growth is measured for teachers and administrators. The bill specifically allows teachers to include certain students during roster verification in the Louisiana Educator Portal, providing flexibility when documenting student participation. This change directly affects educators using the state's evaluation platform, streamlining the process for verifying student assignments. The bill does not alter evaluation standards or scoring but clarifies procedural steps for teachers. It passed committee favorably and is moving toward final approval in the legislature.

Maddy summaryThe full text of HB 359 is not provided, making a complete summary difficult. However, based on the available information, Amendment No. 1 to HB 359 proposes to add an emergency medicine physician, selected by the president of the Louisiana State Medical Society, to a specific list or body within the bill. Given the bill's title, "MENTAL HEALTH: Provides relative to victims of human trafficking," this physician would likely be involved in efforts related to mental health support for human trafficking victims. The specific role or impact of this addition cannot be determined without the full bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 681 amends a public records law to expand who qualifies as a "public official" whose personal information (like contact details) is subject to public record requests. It adds three new categories: current state legislators, statewide elected officials, and current public service commission members. This change directly affects those three groups by making their personal information accessible under existing public records procedures. The bill updates the statute without creating new policies or altering other record access rules. (Summary based solely on the bill's text and amendments.)

Maddy summaryHB 266 would increase personal needs allowances for residents in Louisiana nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The bill requires a separate legislative appropriation to fund these increased allowances before implementation, specifying that funding must be included in a future budget act. It does not change current allowances but sets a requirement for future funding to take effect. The bill has advanced to the Health and Welfare Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana's Firefighters' Retirement System to allow surviving spouses to designate disabled or minor children as beneficiaries for a portion of their survivor benefits. Specifically, spouses must make this designation within 30 days of the firefighter's death and must ensure the total benefit value remains equivalent to what the spouse would otherwise receive (verified by an actuary). The change directly affects surviving spouses of firefighters who currently receive survivor benefits under the system. It modifies existing rules to provide structured options for sharing benefits with dependents while maintaining the spouse's primary benefit amount.

Maddy summaryHB 454 would require Medicaid to cover specific doula services for eligible enrollees. This bill directly affects Medicaid recipients who use certified doula services during pregnancy and postpartum care. The key provision mandates that Medicaid plans include coverage for these services, though the bill text does not specify exact service types or eligibility criteria beyond "certain" doula care. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Health and Welfare Committee unanimously. This policy change would expand access to doula support for low-income individuals under the state's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryHB 357 requires health insurance plans to cover integrative cancer treatments like acupuncture, directly affecting cancer patients seeking these services and health insurance issuers. The bill limits coverage for acupuncture treatment during active cancer care to fifteen visits per year, unless additional treatments are recommended by nationally recognized cancer guidelines and the treating physician. It also modifies prior authorization requirements by adding "prior authorization" to the list of coverage conditions. This bill is currently under review by the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Insurance Committee with amendments.

Maddy summarySB 66 defines "military status" to clarify protections against discrimination in education, employment, public accommodations, and housing. It specifically includes active/reserve U.S. military members and their dependents (with a defined 180-day support requirement) under existing anti-discrimination law. The bill adds this definition to Louisiana Revised Statute 23:322(10), making it explicit who qualifies for these protections. The Senate unanimously passed the bill (39-0) in April 2025, sending it to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summarySB 98 increases penalties for the retail sale of nitrous oxide, a substance sometimes misused recreationally. It requires retail sellers to be at least 21 years old (amending existing age requirements) while removing the age limit for medical practitioners selling it. The bill directly affects businesses selling nitrous oxide for non-medical purposes, such as whipped cream chargers, by imposing stricter age verification and higher fines for violations. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (37-0) and now moves to the House for consideration.