Sen. Mike Fési

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Louisiana Revised Statutes to add a new subsection regarding the Leeville Bridge toll fee. It does not create new fees or change existing rates but rather updates the legal text to include a specific provision labeled "(B)" within the relevant section. The change affects the statutory language governing how the toll fee is described and structured in the state code. By adding this subsection, the bill ensures the official legal record reflects the current administrative details of the bridge's toll system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana election laws to ensure that absentee and early voting ballots from voters who die before Election Day are still counted. It requires election officials to include these ballots in the final tally rather than discarding them due to the voter's death. The change directly affects how votes are processed for individuals who pass away before the election concludes. By clarifying the tabulation process, the legislation aims to prevent the loss of valid votes from deceased voters who had already cast their ballots.

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 Senate resolution formally congratulates Kenneth Wood Sr. and K&B Industries on reaching their 50th anniversary. The bill recognizes the company's growth from a single machine tool in a garage to a family-owned business employing over 700 people across multiple locations. It highlights the firm's contributions to local economies and its role as a supplier to industries like energy, aerospace, and semiconductors. The resolution is a ceremonial acknowledgment that will be sent to the company's president, Kenneth Wood Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local public school boards in Louisiana to conduct state and federal fingerprint background checks on any chaplain they employ or accept as a volunteer. The new rule applies to both paid staff and unpaid volunteers who serve in schools under the existing chapter governing school chaplains. Before a chaplain can begin their duties, the school must verify they have passed the background screening outlined in state law. This measure aims to ensure safety and compliance by mandating a standardized vetting process for all religious leaders working in public education settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Louisiana Vertiport Development Fund to support the statewide construction and expansion of vertiports, which are landing sites for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The Department of Transportation and Development will be responsible for establishing rules on how money from this fund is distributed. Funding for the fund will come from future legislative appropriations as well as any grants, gifts, or donations the state receives for this purpose. Additionally, the bill ensures that any interest earned on investments made with the fund remains available for future vertiport projects.

Maddy summarySB 195 modifies the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by removing a specific requirement for mandatory employment and training exemptions. This change directly affects individuals currently participating in the program who were previously required to meet certain work or training conditions to maintain their benefits. The bill achieves this by deleting the phrase "mandatory employment and training" from the list of exemptions in the legislative text. Consequently, the program will no longer enforce these specific work mandates as part of its eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires automobile insurance companies in Louisiana to offer a 25% discount on liability premiums to active-duty military members, reservists, and National Guard personnel based in the state. To help cover the cost of these discounts, insurers receive a tax credit equal to the amount of the discount they provide, with any unused credit refunded without interest. The state insurance commissioner must create specific rules to define which military personnel qualify and to establish the process for verifying eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana State Forester to create a training program focused on post-traumatic stress and emotional support for wildland firefighters. The legislation aims to help these workers manage the psychological stress associated with their demanding jobs by establishing an educational initiative. It does not allocate specific funding but rather mandates the state forester to develop this support system as part of their duties. The law applies specifically to individuals who fight wildfires and does not extend to other types of emergency responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to include alternative imaging methods as options alongside standard mammograms. The law applies to all health coverage plans and ensures these non-mammography screening choices are available to policyholders. By mandating the inclusion of these alternatives, the legislation aims to expand the range of diagnostic tools accessible through insurance coverage. The measure was passed by the Senate and is awaiting further action in the House.