Sen. Blake Miguez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools in Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1, 2025. The legislation allows schools to use donated funds or donated physical displays to cover the cost, ensuring no money from public school budgets is spent on the items. Additionally, schools must include a historical statement explaining the long tradition of using the Ten Commandments in American education. While the primary focus is on the Ten Commandments, the bill also permits the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.

Maddy summaryHB 577 prohibits social media companies from collecting data on minors to use for targeted advertising. The law directly affects children under the age of 18 and the digital platforms that serve them. By restricting how these companies gather and utilize personal information from young users, the bill aims to limit their ability to show ads based on the habits and preferences of minors. This measure represents a concrete change in commercial regulations without speculating on its broader economic or social impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state crime for unlawfully entering or reentering Louisiana as an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States. It defines "alien" to include anyone unlawfully present in the state and specifies that lawful presence covers U.S. citizens, permanent residents, visa holders, and those with asylum status. The legislation establishes penalties for the offense and includes an exemption for aliens who are victims or necessary witnesses to serious crimes such as domestic violence, rape, and human trafficking. Additionally, the bill authorizes the governor to negotiate an interstate compact with other states to deter unlawful entry and reentry.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws regarding financial transactions at firearms and ammunition retailers by clarifying that payment card networks are not considered financial institutions under current regulations. It also updates enforcement procedures to allow district attorneys to act alongside the attorney general in investigating violations and handling related fees and costs. Additionally, the legislation specifies that notices sent to retailers must be written and delivered within thirty business days to ensure clear communication. These changes aim to refine how financial rules apply to gun stores and how authorities enforce compliance with state laws.

Maddy summarySB 497 amends the rules governing how members of the Board of Ethics are selected. The bill introduces specific changes to the section of the law that outlines this selection process, though the provided text does not detail the exact nature of those changes. Because the full text of the amendments is not included, the specific criteria or procedures for selecting board members remain undefined in this summary. This legislation directly impacts the administrative structure of the Board of Ethics by modifying its governing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the effective date for a voter registration law, specifying that it will take effect on January 1, 2025. It includes a provision stating that if the governor vetoes the legislation, the law will only become active after the legislature overrides the veto or on the original January 1 date, whichever occurs later. The text does not describe any new voter registration rules or changes to the voting process itself. Instead, it focuses solely on the timeline for when the existing regulations will begin to apply.

Maddy summarySB 294 is a procedural bill that amends an existing statute to clarify protections for free speech and First Amendment activities on college and university campuses. The legislation does not introduce new policies but instead makes technical corrections to the text of the law, such as removing unnecessary words and fixing formatting errors. These changes ensure the legal language accurately reflects the intended protections without altering the substantive rules governing campus speech.

Maddy summarySB 234 prohibits state and local government entities in Louisiana from entering into contracts with companies that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industries. The bill defines "status" to explicitly include the lawful products, services, and practices of firearm entities and trade associations, ensuring these businesses are protected from discriminatory treatment. It authorizes the state attorney general to take legal action against companies that violate these rules and allows the attorney general to recover legal costs if they win a case. Additionally, the law includes a threshold exemption, meaning the restrictions do not apply to contracts where a company receives less than $50,000 in total funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the criminal penalties for human trafficking cases where the victim is under the age of eighteen and involved in sexual activity. It directly affects individuals charged with these specific offenses by making the punishment more severe. The mechanism is straightforward: it amends existing laws to impose harsher sentences for this category of crime. The legislation does not change how cases are investigated or prosecuted, but rather adjusts the consequences for those convicted.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Louisiana's criminal trespass laws by explicitly defining when someone remains on property too long and clarifies who counts as a squatter. It makes it a crime for occupants to stay more than five days after receiving written notice to leave and for squatters to remain after being told to vacate by a lawful owner. The law also adds drone surveillance over private property as a form of trespass while exempting those following federal aviation rules. Property owners can now seek court injunctions to stop these trespassing activities, and anyone violating such court orders faces contempt charges.