Maddy summaryHR 329 is a resolution (not a binding bill) passed by the Louisiana House urging the Attorney General and Louisiana Department of Insurance to investigate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for potential violations of existing laws. It specifically requests that these agencies examine whether PBMs are violating rules by owning or financially benefiting from pharmacies, which critics argue creates conflicts of interest that disadvantage independent pharmacies. The resolution also urges the Louisiana legislature to pass new laws prohibiting PBMs from owning or having financial interests in pharmacies. This would aim to prevent PBMs from steering patients to their own affiliated pharmacies and ensure fair reimbursement practices for all pharmacies. The resolution highlights concerns about rising drug costs, reduced competition, and threats to rural pharmacy access, referencing similar actions taken by other states.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 218 is a resolution urging the Louisiana Department of Health to develop a coordinated healthcare plan for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. It requests the creation of an Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) that would integrate Medicare and Medicaid benefits through partnerships with organizations like the ARC of Louisiana, providing comprehensive services including medical care, behavioral health, vocational support, and specialized care coordination. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks the Department to collaborate with stakeholders and seek federal waivers to implement this unified care model, aiming to reduce fragmented care and improve health outcomes. This request directly affects Louisiana residents with intellectual/developmental disabilities currently receiving services through Medicaid waivers or intermediate care facilities.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 313) is a formal request from the Louisiana House of Representatives to the U.S. Congress. It urges federal action to ensure artificial intelligence in healthcare supports, rather than replaces, physicians' decision-making. The resolution specifically asks Congress to establish nationwide standards for AI transparency, patient privacy, and ethical use in medical care, while preserving the doctor-patient relationship. It does not create new laws but calls for federal legislation to protect patient safety and professional medical judgment.
Maddy summaryHR 306 is a legislative resolution urging Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development to create an Urban Infrastructure Planning Task Force. The task force would identify key infrastructure needs in urban areas, assess project feasibility and impacts, and evaluate how projects improve residents' quality of life. It would include city leaders, engineers, and university students from major Louisiana cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, with mandatory reports due to the House Transportation Committee by 2025, 2027, and 2029. This resolution directly affects Louisiana cities facing infrastructure backlogs, safety concerns, and slow project completion, aiming to improve planning for roads, bridges, and public projects.
Maddy summaryHB 184 creates a new tax deduction for Louisiana residents diagnosed with a terminal illness (or their spouse in joint returns) who withdraw funds from retirement accounts due to immediate financial need. The bill allows these "qualifying taxpayers" to deduct hardship distributions from their taxable income, as defined in Louisiana law (R.S. 47:297.26). This deduction applies only to withdrawals made because of a terminal illness diagnosis, not general financial hardship. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. It directly affects Louisiana taxpayers with terminal illness who access retirement funds early.
Maddy summaryHB 192 allows the French Quarter Management District to hire emergency sanitation contractors if New Orleans cannot provide services at historical levels due to staffing or vendor shortages. The district may procure these services directly, with the city of New Orleans required to reimburse the costs through a budget ordinance. This applies specifically to sanitation within the French Quarter boundaries during service disruptions. The bill ensures continuity of services while clarifying the city’s financial obligation for emergency measures.
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 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 summaryHB 547 would allow horse racing venues to offer fixed odds wagering, where bettors place bets with predetermined payout amounts before races instead of traditional pari-mutuel betting. This directly affects racetracks that host horse races and individuals who wager on those races. The bill authorizes this specific betting method, setting fixed odds for outcomes rather than calculating payouts based on total wagers after the race. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Commerce and will move to Appropriations for further consideration.