Sen. Glen Womack

Maddy summarySB 318 amends the state capital outlay process to clarify how long-term major capital maintenance is defined for public projects. The bill specifically adds a requirement to include rules that establish clear criteria for what counts as long-term major capital maintenance. This change directly affects state agencies responsible for managing and reporting on infrastructure projects and their associated costs. By refining these definitions, the legislation aims to provide more precise guidelines for financial reporting and project classification within the state budget system.

Maddy summarySB 265 is a procedural amendment bill that makes minor wording changes to a larger piece of legislation concerning public contracts and public works. The bill does not introduce new policies or affect anyone directly; instead, it simply replaces the word "said" with "the" and "Such" with "The" in five specific locations within the text. These adjustments are technical corrections intended to improve the clarity and consistency of the language without altering the bill's substantive requirements.

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 While the primary focus is on the Ten Commandments, the bill also permits the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.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 summaryThis bill amends the existing law establishing the Department of Economic Development by renumbering its internal sections and making minor text adjustments. The changes involve deleting specific lines and renumbering sections sequentially from Section 2 through Section 8 to correct the bill's structure. These modifications do not alter the department's core functions or funding but serve to organize the legislation for clarity. The bill directly affects the state agency responsible for economic development by updating its statutory framework.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that formally congratulates the Wossman High School boys and girls basketball teams for winning the 2024 LHSAA Division II Non-Select State Championships. The document highlights the specific achievements of both teams, including their impressive win-loss records and the standout performances of key players and coaches during the season. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves to recognize the accomplishments of the athletes and staff through official legislative acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Concordia Parish Chief Deputy Fred Middleton for receiving the Deputy of the Year Award from the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association. The bill highlights his leadership in establishing a Cyber Crime Unit and victim support programs that have helped resolve hundreds of cases involving child exploitation and domestic violence. It serves as a ceremonial recognition of his specific achievements and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Innovation Caucus within the state Senate. It allows any senator interested in STEM policy to join the group, which aims to coordinate efforts and present a unified voice on issues related to research and innovation in the state. The resolution explicitly states that the caucus will not receive any funding, office space, equipment, or staff support from the Senate or its agencies. This measure creates a formal structure for senators to collaborate on STEM topics, mirroring a similar group that already exists in the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the legal timeline for filing lawsuits related to the abuse of minors by removing references to a previous 2021 law. The primary change involves deleting specific citations from the text, which effectively updates how the statute is referenced without altering the core prescriptive period itself. By streamlining the legal language, the bill ensures the current rules for these cases remain clear and consistent with existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary task force to study the Louisiana Public Works Act and recommend ways to speed up payments from public entities to general contractors. The group will consist of eleven members representing state legislative committees and various construction industry associations, who will meet at least twice before December 2024 to examine payment delays and their impact on subcontractors and workers. The task force is required to submit a written report with its findings and specific legislative proposals to relevant committees by January 31, 2025, or upon completing its study, whichever comes first. Members serve without salary but may receive expense reimbursements, and the group will dissolve once it delivers its final report.