Sen. Valarie Hodges

Maddy summarySB 46 prohibits intentionally releasing or dispersing chemicals into Louisiana's environment with the purpose of altering temperature, specifically limiting this ban to activities occurring below 1,000 feet above ground level. The bill directly affects individuals or entities seeking to use chemical dispersal for weather modification within the state. Key provisions include the 1,000-foot altitude restriction (added via amendments) and authorization for state environmental departments to use Louisiana Air National Guard surveillance capabilities for enforcement. The bill passed the Senate (27-12) on April 28, 2025, and now moves to the House for consideration.

Maddy summarySB 58 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana law called "child grooming" (defined under R.S. 14:81.7), making it illegal to commit or attempt to commit acts intended to build a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who engage in such grooming behavior and law enforcement handling related cases. The key provision adds "child grooming" as a specific sexual offense against minors under Louisiana law (R.S. 15:541(25)(o)), and also treats equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions as if they occurred in Louisiana (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)). The bill amends existing criminal codes to formally define and criminalize this conduct.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana bill amends capital case procedures by requiring death sentences to be carried out between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. within 60-90 days of a court-issued warrant. It specifies that inmates must have a spiritual advisor present and allows 5-7 additional witnesses at executions. The bill also updates rules for rescheduling executions after legal stays or reprieves, mandating a 30-45 day window from the reset date. These changes directly affect Louisiana death row inmates and officials managing capital punishment proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 363) is a technical amendment to correct the reference to an existing statute (R.S. 14:93.4) within the criminal code regarding cruelty and exploitation of the elderly. It does not create new laws or change policy; it only updates the statute citation to match the correct reference. The bill directly affects legal references used by courts and law enforcement in cases involving elder abuse. It is procedural in nature, with no substantive changes to the law governing elder exploitation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 169) formally commends Deputy Gregory Brant Aydell of the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office for receiving the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association's 2025 Deputy Valor Award. It recognizes his heroic actions in saving three lives during separate incidents in 2024, including administering lifesaving care during overdoses and a drowning. The resolution serves as a ceremonial honor with no policy or financial impact, solely acknowledging his bravery and service.

Maddy summaryHB 279 requires all student organizations at Louisiana colleges and universities to provide annual anti-hazing education to members, prospective members, and volunteers. The bill mandates organizations adopt their institution's hazing prevention policy - including sanctions for hazing incidents - and deliver at least one hour of hazing prevention education each year through in-person or digital methods. Organizations must submit annual reports verifying participation, and institutions may terminate non-compliant groups, reporting terminations to education committees. This directly affects campus student organizations, not individual students or faculty. The legislation focuses on preventing hazing through mandatory education and institutional accountability.

Maddy summarySB 9 expands restrictions on drone use by adding federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited. This directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who would now be barred from flying drones near military bases and related facilities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these sites in the prohibited zones, updating the legal definition without changing penalty terms. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summarySB 22 creates a new criminal offense for stealing critical infrastructure, such as power lines, water systems, or communication networks. It defines this theft as taking or illegally possessing infrastructure valued at $25,000 or more (with harsher penalties for higher value), or where human life is likely threatened. Offenders face fines up to $50,000 or 20 years in prison, plus mandatory restitution to victims. The bill directly affects individuals who steal such infrastructure and the entities (like utility companies) that own it, building on existing theft laws (R.S. 14:69(A)) without changing general theft definitions.

Maddy summarySB 190 designates specific road segments in certain parishes to honor fallen law enforcement officers. The bill amends existing road descriptions to clarify the designated sections (e.g., changing "overpass to" to "overpass and"). It has no funding requirements or new obligations - it solely provides a commemorative name for existing roadways. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate (39-0) and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 608, titled "Louisiana Atmospheric Protection Act," creates a reporting mechanism for suspected atmospheric activities like geoengineering or cloud seeding, but does not impose new regulatory bans. It directs citizens to report such activities to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which must collect and publicly share these reports. The bill explicitly excludes incidental air pollution from normal operations, stating prohibitions only apply to activities "for the express purpose of affecting weather or climate." As noted in the bill's title ("EG NO IMPACT"), it is primarily declarative and procedural, with no new enforcement mechanisms or substantive restrictions on atmospheric activities.