Rep. Candace Newell

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 617 updates the legal references within Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) by changing titles and terminology. It replaces terms like "administrator" with "administrator assistant secretary," removes "child welfare" references, and updates them to "Louisiana Works" in multiple sections of the law. The bill has no financial or operational impact on services, as noted in the bill's "EN NO IMPACT" designation. This is purely an administrative adjustment to align legal language with current department structure and program naming.

Maddy summaryHB 106 amends the name of a street within the Gentilly Development District in Orleans Parish, changing "Robert E. Lee Boulevard" to "Allen Toussaint Boulevard." The bill directly affects the geographic designation of this specific district area. It contains no substantive policy changes, only a technical correction to the street name referenced in the district's description. This is a procedural renaming bill with no new regulations or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Clancy DuBos for retiring after 50 years in journalism. It formally recognizes his career as owner/editor of Gambit newspaper, his work at The Times Picayune, his political commentary, and his journalism awards. The resolution expresses the Louisiana House's appreciation for his contributions to New Orleans media and politics but contains no policy changes or direct effects on citizens or laws.

Maddy summaryHCR 44 is a non-binding resolution urging the Louisiana State University School of Public Health to reconsider its recommended age for routine breast cancer screening. It does not change any current guidelines or mandate action; it simply asks the school to review its recommendations. The resolution is currently pending floor debate after passing committee review, but it has no legal effect on healthcare policies or patient care. This type of resolution expresses legislative opinion but does not alter medical practices.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 347) urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to seek formal input and approval from state lawmakers representing a parish *before* allocating or reallocating transportation funding for projects in that area. It directly affects parishes on the DOTD's priority funding list or those receiving transportation funds, requiring DOTD to consult with their local legislative delegation (state representatives and senators) on project decisions. The key provision mandates that DOTD obtain this input prior to final funding decisions, aiming to increase local accountability and ensure projects align with community priorities. The resolution passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on June 10, 2025, but remains a non-binding request to DOTD.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana state resolution (HR 369) urges Congress and federal health agencies to maintain current Medicaid funding levels for hospitals in Louisiana. It specifically requests that the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services avoid policy changes that would reduce reimbursements, which could lead to hospital service cuts or closures - particularly affecting rural facilities serving medically underserved communities. The resolution also calls for immediate approval of pending payment plans for Louisiana hospitals and physicians. Adopted unanimously by the Louisiana House on June 12, 2025, it is a formal request to federal officials, not a binding law.

Maddy summaryHCR 17 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study how its resources are allocated for financing housing development in rural Louisiana. The study must examine current funding distribution, identify challenges like substandard housing and higher costs in rural areas, and report findings to the legislature by March 15, 2026. This procedural bill does not change funding rules but seeks data to inform future decisions on rural housing needs. It directly affects the Louisiana Housing Corporation, which must conduct and submit the study.

Maddy summarySCR 32 is a Louisiana Senate resolution urging Congress to oppose federal Medicaid funding cuts. It emphasizes that over 1.6 million Louisiana residents - including children, seniors, rural healthcare providers, and nursing home residents - depend on Medicaid for essential care, with nearly 70% of nursing home residents relying on it. The resolution requests Congress work with states to strengthen Medicaid instead of implementing cuts that would worsen health outcomes, increase hospital financial strain, and raise costs for all residents. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it does not change policy but formally expresses Louisiana’s position to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summarySCR 62 creates a statewide task force to study and recommend solutions for property blight, defined as dilapidated buildings and overgrown lots. The task force, including mayors, local government leaders, and agency representatives, must develop a strategic plan using data-driven approaches and propose specific legislation by March 2026. It will review past efforts like the Urban Land-Banking Law and focus on place-based revitalization to address blight across Louisiana. The task force’s recommendations will inform future local and state efforts to improve affected neighborhoods.