Sen. Franklin Foil

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to conduct a study on the use of remote online notarization for specific legal documents known as authentic acts. It asks the institute to examine which types of documents are suitable for this digital process and to recommend rules for those that are not appropriate for remote execution. The legislation does not change current laws or authorize remote notarization immediately but instead initiates a review to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySB 115 allows Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development to assume specific transportation-related duties currently handled by the federal government, such as those under federal laws like MAP-21 and SAFETEA-LU. The bill enables the department to enter agreements with federal agencies, accept federal funds for transportation projects, and adopt necessary rules to carry out these responsibilities. It also includes a limited waiver of state immunity for lawsuits related only to compliance with these federal agreements, but does not create new liability beyond federal requirements. This bill directly affects the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and federal transportation agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 273 repeals a Louisiana law that allowed certain parishes to distribute sales and use tax revenue collected from admission tickets to events. This bill directly affects specific Louisiana parishes that previously used this tax revenue for local purposes. The key provision removes the legal authorization for parishes to allocate this tax income, ending a specific funding mechanism for events. The bill does not create new taxes or alter existing tax rates, only eliminating a distribution pathway for revenue already collected.

Maddy summaryHB 801 creates a "Classic Black" specialty license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles, available to any Louisiana resident who applies for it. The plate features a black background with white numbers and "LOUISIANA" at the top, and requires a $25 annual fee (plus $3.50 handling) on top of standard license taxes. All fees collected will fund emergency vehicle operations training for local governments at the Donald J. Thibodeaux Training Center in Holden. The plate is restricted to passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs, motorcycles, and vans, but requires at least 1,000 applicants before issuance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a segment of Louisiana Highway 163 in Webster Parish as the "Sergeant William 'Billy' Earl Collins, Jr., Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen law enforcement officer. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation and Development to install and maintain signs for this designation, provided that local or private funding covers the costs of materials and installation. The bill applies specifically to the stretch of road between Green Tree Street and Watson Road in the town of Doyline. Implementation of the signage is contingent upon receiving sufficient funds to cover expenses up to a limit of $750 per sign.

Maddy summarySB 104 designates a specific segment of Louisiana Highway 1 in Pointe Coupee Parish (from the intersection with Highway 78 to the Pointe Coupee Parish line) as the "Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway" to honor the renowned author. The bill requires the state transportation department to install signage only if local or private funds cover the costs (capped at $750 per sign for materials and installation). This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, directly affecting the designated highway corridor and its signage. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summarySB 103 names a section of U.S. Highway 425 in Wisner, Louisiana (from the northern to southern city limits in Franklin Parish) as "Gladys Edwards Highway." It requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs for this designation, but only if local or private funds cover the department's actual costs for materials and installation - capped at $750 per sign. This is a ceremonial bill with no policy changes to transportation funding or infrastructure. The bill is currently pending referral to the Transportation Committee.

Maddy summarySB 160 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 171 in Florien, Louisiana (from the northern to southern village limits in Sabine Parish) as "Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation only if local or private funds cover the department's actual costs for materials and installation, with a maximum cost of $750 per sign. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes affecting residents, businesses, or state funding beyond the signage costs. The bill has been prefaced and referred to the Transportation Committee but has not yet advanced further.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the entire length of Interstate 49 in Louisiana (from its intersection with I-10 in Lafayette Parish northward) as the "Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway." It requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation only if local or private funds cover the department's actual costs for materials and installation, up to $2,250 per sign. The bill directly affects the highway corridor and its signage, with no financial burden on the state. It is a procedural naming measure with no substantive policy changes beyond the highway designation and signage cost rules.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally congratulates the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) on its 175th anniversary. It specifically recognizes the contributions of the YMCA of the Capital Area in Louisiana and encourages the organization to continue its work in community development and wellness. The measure does not create new laws or change any policies; instead, it serves to honor the organization's history and express legislative support for its ongoing mission.