Rep. Stephanie Hilferty

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It expresses the Louisiana House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Phil Alexander Robertson, a Duck Commander founder and "Duck Dynasty" star who was a prominent figure in northeast Louisiana. The resolution honors his life, family values, faith, and economic impact through his business, highlighting his 60-year marriage to Kay and his role as a community leader. It has no effect on laws or regulations, serving solely as a symbolic gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryHB 191 modifies the fee structure for the Lakewood Crime Prevention and Improvement District in Orleans Parish. It sets a maximum annual fee of $456 per parcel (defined as a lot with one main house) and requires voter approval for any renewal or fee increase, with renewals limited to eight-year terms. The fee, which funds local crime prevention efforts, must be renewed by district voters through a special election under Louisiana law. Property owners within the Lakewood district directly pay this fee, and the renewal process ensures community input on continued funding. The bill repeals an outdated provision and clarifies the fee's expiration and renewal terms.

Maddy summaryHB 438 prohibits Louisiana insurance companies from using "institutional advertising expenses" when calculating insurance rates. These expenses are defined as broad marketing not aimed at specific products or consumer decision-making (e.g., general brand campaigns). The bill amends insurance rate regulations to require insurers to exclude such advertising costs from their rate calculations, focusing instead on operational expenses like acquisition and field supervision. This change applies to all insurers operating in Louisiana and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 611 is a procedural bill that makes minor editorial corrections to the legal description of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans in existing law. It revises specific references (changing "said" to "the" or "those" in several locations) to clarify which parishes and water authorities the Board oversees. The bill does not create new policies or affect the Board's operations, funding, or service areas. It solely adjusts wording for consistency in the legal text governing the Board's jurisdiction. This is a routine drafting amendment, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 558 amends the eligibility requirements for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides tuition assistance for college students. The bill adds specific violent and property crimes to the list of offenses that would disqualify applicants, including aggravated battery, second-degree robbery, and aggravated criminal damage to property. These changes directly affect students with certain criminal convictions who seek to qualify for the state-funded tuition program. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Education after recent committee amendments.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SCR 57) passed by the Louisiana State Legislature to express condolences for Steven J. Miguez, a businessman and community member from Iberia Parish, following his death on February 24, 2025. The resolution recognizes his life of service, including founding businesses like Iberia Crew Boat & Marine Service and Miguez Fuel, his competitive shooting achievements, and his family. It has no policy provisions or direct effect on laws or constituents - it solely offers legislative condolences to his family. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate (34-0) and passed through the House without amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 65) is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Louisiana Legislature's condolences on the death of John "Jay" Batt, Jr., a former New Orleans City Council member, businessman, and community leader. It formally honors his life, service, and legacy without creating any new laws or affecting specific policies or groups. The resolution acknowledges his career, family, and contributions to New Orleans, including his time on the City Council and leadership roles in organizations like the Sugar Bowl Committee. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect beyond this symbolic gesture of remembrance.

Maddy summaryHR 163 (2025) requests the Firefighters' Retirement System to study whether merging members of the New Orleans Firefighters' Pension and Relief Fund (hired after a specific date) into the main system is feasible. The bill directs the legislative auditor's actuary, with input from retirement system actuaries, to analyze the cost and feasibility of this potential merger. It requires the actuary to submit a report to the House with findings from this study. This is a procedural bill focused solely on gathering data for future consideration, not implementing any immediate change to retirement benefits. The study would directly affect newer New Orleans firefighters covered by the separate pension fund.

Maddy summaryHB 174 designates a specific bridge on U.S. 167 in Winn Parish as the "Clayton Horne Memorial Bridge." This bill directly affects the location of the bridge and honors Clayton Horne through its official name. The bill contains no substantive policy changes or funding mechanisms - it solely updates the bridge's official designation. Amendments clarify the reference to the highway as "United States Highway 167" but do not alter the memorial purpose. As a naming resolution, it has no operational or financial impact beyond the ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) passed by the Louisiana House of Representatives. It formally commends Robert Francis Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope and second American pope. The resolution highlights his New Orleans connections, his background as a missionary in Peru, and his recent papal message. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create any legal obligations or affect policy.