Sen. Regina Barrow

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Dr. Lawrence Dewayne Hardy for his spiritual leadership, guidance, and prayers provided to legislators during the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The bill directly affects Dr. Hardy, the senior pastor and founder of Theo House of Judah Ministries in Baton Rouge, by formally recognizing his contributions and expressing gratitude for his service to the state. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of his role in supporting lawmakers throughout the legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide Task Force on Blight to study and recommend a comprehensive plan for addressing dilapidated properties and overgrown lots across Louisiana. The task force will include leaders from the Senate, House, major cities, and various state agencies, with members serving without pay but eligible for expense reimbursement. By September 2026, the group will begin meeting to develop a strategic approach using data-driven methods and resource deployment, aiming to submit its final report and legislative proposals by March 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Division of Administration to provide a detailed report on state contracts valued at $100,000 or more that were paid for but never completed, canceled, or terminated before all work was finished. The requested information includes the names of the state entities and vendors, contract details, descriptions of goods or services, payment history, reasons for non-completion, and any money recovered or refunds received. The report must be submitted electronically to the Senate leadership and the Finance Committee by December 1, 2026, to help the legislature review past spending and identify unresolved financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Louisiana Livable Wage Task Force to study the cost of living and make recommendations for improving economic security for workers and families. The task force will assess living expenses across urban, suburban, and rural areas, analyze wage gaps, and gather input from various stakeholders including employers, employees, and community organizations. Composed of appointed members from government agencies, labor groups, and business associations, the group is required to submit a final report with policy suggestions by March 1, 2027. The bill does not set a specific wage increase but creates a committee to evaluate options for raising wages to meet basic needs while considering impacts on businesses and the local economy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Tami McClure, the head coach of the Zachary High School girls basketball team, for leading her team to a historic state championship and receiving an award from The Advocate. The bill recognizes her twenty-plus years of coaching experience, her role in guiding the Lady Broncos to their first state title in nearly a century, and her mentorship of young women. It formally commends her leadership and dedication to high school athletics in Louisiana and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to her.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally commends the Zachary High School boys basketball team and its coaching staff for winning the 2025-2026 Division I Non-Select state championship. The bill recognizes the team's second consecutive title, achieved with a 63-60 victory over Ruston High School, and highlights the all-state honors earned by players Ian Edmond and Ethan Kimmie. It also acknowledges Head Coach Jon McClinton for leading the program to a 34-3 record and receiving the LHSAA Class 5A Coach of the Year award. The resolution serves as an official statement of appreciation from the Louisiana Senate and directs a copy to be sent to Coach McClinton.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific limits on how many legislative proposals individual lawmakers can submit during a single annual session. It restricts non-committee leaders to ten prefiled bills, while committee vice chairs and chairs are allowed up to twelve and fifteen bills, respectively. The legislation also caps the number of resolutions a member can introduce at ten, excluding routine or perfunctory items. Certain essential bills, such as those for state appropriations and capital projects, are exempt from these counting limits to ensure critical funding measures can be proposed without restriction.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requires the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to the state legislature starting in 2027. The report will detail how long it takes, on average, for veterans to file claims for services after leaving the military, along with data on filing trends and any barriers causing delays. By collecting this information, the legislature aims to better understand gaps in service access and evaluate the effectiveness of current support programs. The findings will be shared with both the Senate and House committees on veterans and military affairs to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Task Force, a group designed to study ways to help struggling families in the state. The task force will consist of representatives from various state agencies, community organizations, and labor groups, with the Senate president pro tempore serving as chair. Its main job is to research successful strategies and create recommendations for the state government to better support families facing poverty. The group must submit its final report to the legislature and other officials by March 1, 2027, after which the task force will end.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to study how to regulate and reduce fees charged by licensed driver education schools. The study will examine current costs, regional price differences, factors driving price increases, and practices used by other states to ensure affordable driver training. By February 1, 2027, the office must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Senate Transportation Committee and the Legislative President Pro Tempore. This action primarily affects minors and first-time drivers who rely on these programs to obtain their licenses.