Rep. Stephanie Hilferty

Maddy summaryHB 227 appropriates $400,000 from Louisiana's state general fund for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to pay a court-ordered judgment in the case *Rogers et al. v. Dantin et al.* The bill directly affects the Rogers family (including minor child Hayley Rogers) who won a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana and others related to a traffic incident. It specifies the funds cover the principal, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees as outlined in the final judgment (Case No. 777-197). The payment must be made after submitting required documentation to the state treasurer, with interest ceasing on the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 190 repeals Section 2 of Act No. 384 (2024), which required the State Civil Service Commission and New Orleans' Civil Service Commission to create a plan transferring employees of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to state civil service. The bill removes this specific requirement for employee classification transfers. It directly affects the operational process for managing employees of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, eliminating an existing procedural step. The bill does not change employee classification rules or create new requirements, only repealing the prior transfer plan mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 417 prevents credit card companies from charging processing fees on state or local taxes and tips (gratuities) for transactions in Louisiana. It requires payment networks to either exclude these amounts from fee calculations at settlement or provide merchants with a rebate for fees incorrectly applied to tax or tip portions. The law specifically applies when tax and tips are listed separately on customer receipts, directly affecting restaurants, retailers, and other businesses that accept credit cards. This change aims to reduce costs for merchants by ensuring they aren't charged fees on legally mandated taxes or customer tips.

Maddy summaryHB 612 amends Louisiana law governing the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, focusing on employee hiring and staffing rules. It requires most board employees (excluding unskilled laborers) to pass New Orleans civil service exams before appointment, with a 90-day residency hiring window for local residents before non-residents may be hired. The bill mandates the board maintain employment lists of eligible candidates for open positions and exempts executive roles (like the director) from civil service rules. This directly affects the board’s hiring process for its water and sewer system workforce. The law takes effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.

Maddy summaryHB 485 creates a new 50% tax deduction for Louisiana residents on net capital gains from selling ownership in Louisiana-based, non-publicly traded businesses (like local LLCs or partnerships) they've held for at least five years. It directly affects individual taxpayers who sell qualifying business interests in Louisiana, reducing their taxable income by half the profit from such sales. The deduction applies only to gains treated as capital gains under federal tax rules and requires the business to be commercially domiciled in Louisiana. The bill takes effect for sales occurring on or after January 1, 2025, and the state will simplify claiming the deduction through new Department of Revenue rules.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws to establish a special master for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. The special master is an independent official appointed to oversee specific legal or administrative matters involving the board. The legislation makes minor technical corrections to the legal citations and formatting within the relevant statutes. This change affects the board's operational procedures by providing a mechanism for dispute resolution or oversight through the special master role.

Maddy summarySB 300 clarifies how health insurance policies must cover pregnancy-related and postpartum care, specifically ensuring these services are treated as preventive benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The bill establishes a specific list of professional certifications for lactation support, including breastfeeding counselors and certified lactation consultants, to define who qualifies as a qualified provider. By updating the definitions of these roles, the legislation aims to standardize the qualifications required for individuals providing breastfeeding counseling and education. This change directly affects insurance plans and healthcare providers by setting clear standards for who can deliver these postpartum services.

Maddy summaryHB 525 amends the rules for billing by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to allow customers to opt out of a fixed billing program. Under this change, customers will not be automatically placed on a fixed plan unless they specifically choose to enroll in one. The bill gives residents more control over how their water and sewerage charges are calculated, ensuring they are not forced into a set payment schedule without their consent.