Sen. Greg Miller

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges Governor Jeffrey M. Landry to apply for federal funding to implement the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program in Louisiana. The bill seeks to provide eligible low-income families with pre-loaded cards offering $40 per month per child to purchase groceries during summer breaks when school meals are unavailable. While the resolution does not directly change the law, it highlights that over forty other states have already accepted this funding to help close the summer hunger gap. The text notes that the state previously declined similar federal funding for summer meals, and this measure encourages the administration to reverse that decision to support child nutrition.

Maddy summarySB 438 amends the requirements for levee commissioners by removing specific references to "the district" from the statute. This change directly affects the legal framework governing levee districts and the officials who manage them. The bill does not introduce new powers or funding but instead clarifies the language used to define the scope of these districts. By deleting these terms, the legislation adjusts how the role of the levee commissioner is described within the existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors John Keller as he retires from his role as Sergeant at Arms of the Louisiana Senate. The document recognizes his military service in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart, and his subsequent community contributions, including coaching football and serving in the state legislature. It formally acknowledges his life achievements and sacrifices without creating any new laws or changing government policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that honors Jim Harper for his service as president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau. It recognizes his twenty-five years of involvement in agricultural leadership, including his recent four-year term as president and his current role chairing the Rapides Parish Soil and Water District. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to the industry and directs a copy of the document to be sent to him. No new laws or policies are created by this measure; it serves solely as an official expression of appreciation from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Sharon Turcan Gahagan for her long-standing contributions to the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. It honors the dedication of the Sharon Turcan Gahagan Art Gallery, which was named in her memory after she served as the school's board chair. The document highlights her leadership in overseeing major campus projects, such as the Center for Performance and Technology and the Living and Learning Commons, while acknowledging her extensive career in education and community service. This legislative action serves as an official recognition of her legacy rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to update the rules governing tax sales of property in the state. It directly affects property owners whose homes or land have been sold to satisfy unpaid taxes by clarifying the legal process and protecting their rights. The key provisions redefine the concept of forfeiture, establish a specific period during which tax liens cannot be enforced, and create a formal procedure for owners to claim any leftover money from a sale. Additionally, the amendment allows the legislature to pass laws enabling tax collectors to waive penalties for good cause. This change aims to bring more clarity and fairness to the existing tax sale system without altering the fundamental obligation to pay taxes.

Maddy summarySB 367 amends the state's insurance laws to require the insurance commissioner to prioritize diversity in appointing members to departmental boards and commissions. Specifically, the bill mandates that these appointments reflect a mix of race, gender, ethnicity, and geographical background. This provision directly impacts the composition of regulatory bodies overseeing insurance within the Department of Insurance. The change aims to ensure a more representative leadership structure without altering the core functions of the department.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud, which prohibits anyone from knowingly giving an abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent. It also amends existing laws to explicitly classify attempted abortions as a crime and adds the specific act of using drugs to cause an abortion to the state's list of racketeering activities. Under the new provisions, offenders face prison sentences ranging from five to twenty years and fines between ten thousand and one hundred thousand dollars, depending on the gestational age of the pregnancy and the risk to the woman's health. The law applies to any person who engages in these actions, not just medical professionals, and ensures that a conviction under this bill does not prevent further prosecution for more serious offenses like murder if the woman is harmed or killed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, a state program designed to support pregnant women and newborns. It requires the relevant state department to create specific rules that ensure the program is clinically effective, financially stable, and held to high performance standards. The legislation also mandates that the department report its annual progress to the legislature, including details on oversight and penalties for failing to meet program goals.

Maddy summarySB 30 updates the rules for annual financial disclosure statements required of certain Louisiana elected officials and public servants. The bill mandates that these individuals report specific assets, such as real estate, stocks, and bonds, only if their value exceeds a set threshold of $2,500 for statewide officials or $5,000 for others. It also clarifies that certain investment vehicles, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and various types of insurance policies, do not need to be listed in these reports. By adjusting the reporting limits and specifying which assets must be disclosed, the legislation aims to streamline the financial transparency process for government employees.