Sen. Greg Miller

Maddy summarySB 88 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Louisiana parishes to approve an additional $22,500 property tax exemption for homes already qualifying for the existing $7,500 homestead exemption. Local parish governments would need to formally approve this extra exemption, and taxing authorities must absorb any resulting revenue loss without increasing taxes for other property owners. The amendment requires voter approval in a statewide election on November 3, 2026, and specifies that this exemption would not trigger property reappraisals or millage adjustments. It directly affects homeowners in parishes that adopt this additional tax break.

Maddy summarySB 212 sets a $500,000 cap on total recoverable damages in medical malpractice cases (excluding future medical care and lost income) and a separate $100,000 cap per health care provider for all claims involving one patient. The caps automatically adjust annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The bill requires courts to hold a post-trial hearing to determine if a patient can manage future medical care funds; if not, the Patient Compensation Fund covers those costs. This directly affects patients filing malpractice claims and health care providers facing liability.

Maddy summarySB 239 changes Louisiana law for lawsuits claiming mental anguish or emotional distress without physical injury. It requires plaintiffs to prove the "special likelihood" of genuine, serious mental distress directly caused by the defendant's specific conduct. This bill directly affects people filing personal injury claims where emotional harm is alleged but no physical injury occurred. The key change shifts the burden of proof to show the emotional distress was a direct result of the defendant's actions, making it harder to win such cases. The bill does not alter existing rules for claims involving physical injury.

Maddy summarySB 308 requires subcontractors and suppliers working on Louisiana public works projects (but not directly contracted with the main contractor) to send specific notices if they aren’t paid. Within 45 days of providing labor or materials, they must send a "Notice to Contractor and Public Entity" detailing their claim. For each unpaid month, they must also send a "Monthly Notice of Nonpayment" within 75 days after the month ends, stating the unpaid amount. Failure to send these notices on time bars their right to claim payment from the project’s bond or unexpended funds, except for work done before August 1, 2026. This affects subcontractors, material suppliers, and other non-contractual claimants on public construction projects.

Maddy summarySB 370 gives Louisiana's State Licensing Board for Contractors full authority to review all standard construction practices statewide. It directly affects licensed contractors by enabling the board to hold hearings and suspend or revoke licenses for substandard work. The key provision requires the board to proactively monitor construction practices and take disciplinary action when violations occur under existing law. This bill creates a new mechanism for enforcing construction quality standards without changing other licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 3) is a concurrent resolution directing the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to amend rules governing outdoor advertising signs along highways. It requires increased spacing between signs (500-1,000 feet on most highways), bans stacked signs after July 31, 2025, and prohibits new permits for stacked configurations. The changes aim to reduce driver distractions and preserve scenic highway views, directly affecting billboard companies, property owners, and businesses that operate signage near roads. The resolution modifies existing DOTD rules to align with safety and beautification goals under the Highway Beautification Act. Note: The bill’s title incorrectly references SNAP benefits; the actual content addresses outdoor advertising regulations.

Maddy summarySB 182 allows Louisiana's Department of Health to temporarily suspend Medicaid prior authorization and other utilization management requirements during a declared emergency. This applies broadly to all Medicaid recipients for essential healthcare services, removing prior restrictions that specifically mentioned cancer treatment or oncology care. The bill's key mechanism gives the Department authority to ensure uninterrupted access to medical services when emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises occur. It affects all Medicaid beneficiaries in Louisiana by streamlining access to necessary care during emergencies. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is now pending in the House.

Maddy summarySB 165 adds Lafourche Parish to Louisiana's existing Juvenile Justice District, changing how that administrative area is governed. The bill directly affects Lafourche Parish's juvenile justice system by bringing it under the same governance structure as the current district. It makes technical amendments to legal references (removing specific parenthetical sections) to clarify the district's boundaries but does not create new policies or alter juvenile justice procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill's title indicates it relates to ad valorem tax assessment, payment, and allocation, but the provided text only includes a procedural amendment about court termination payments (unrelated to tax policy). No specific tax provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the bill text or summary. The recent actions show it passed the Senate with amendments but do not explain the bill's actual tax policy changes. Without clear details on the tax provisions in the bill text, a substantive summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summarySB 26 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to create and provide type 1 diabetes informational materials to the state Department of Education. These materials, which include descriptions of type 1 diabetes, risk factors, warning signs, and recommendations for blood autoantibody screening, must be distributed by school boards to parents and legal guardians of prekindergarten through secondary students at enrollment and annually. The bill mandates that schools share this information via website posting or electronic distribution, focusing on early detection and treatment guidance. It directly affects Louisiana public school students, their families, and school boards by standardizing diabetes awareness in educational settings. The legislation does not fund treatment or alter healthcare access but aims to inform families about critical diabetes indicators.