Sen. Stewart Cathey

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana concurrent resolution asks the U.S. Congress to pass full-year funding bills for the military without delay. It specifically requests that these funding measures match the spending levels authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent uncertainty. The bill aims to ensure stable resources for military operations, construction, and support services for service members and their families in Louisiana. It does not change any laws or allocate money itself but serves as a formal request from the state legislature to the federal government.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally commends Warren Morris for receiving the 2026 Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award and for his induction into the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class. The legislation recognizes Morris's significant athletic achievements, including his legendary walk-off home run in the 1996 College World Series, his performance on the U.S. Olympic baseball team, and his career in Major League Baseball. By passing this resolution, the Louisiana Legislature acknowledges Morris's long-term contributions to the state's sports reputation and his legacy as a native of Alexandria. The bill concludes by directing that a copy of the resolution be sent to Morris.

Maddy summarySB 54 defines "esthetics" in Louisiana law to clarify which cosmetic services estheticians may perform. The bill specifies that esthetics includes practices like facial massages, eyebrow tinting, lash enhancements, waxing, and skin treatments using approved equipment, but explicitly excludes diagnosing or treating skin conditions and hair removal via electrolysis. This definition directly affects licensed estheticians by setting clear boundaries for their permitted services. The bill is a technical amendment to existing law, not a new policy requiring funding or enforcement changes. It does not alter current licensing requirements but provides a precise legal description of the profession's scope.

Maddy summarySB 52 requires Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to report child custody changes to the Department of Health within 72 hours when a child is placed in or returned to a parent's custody. This triggers automatic adjustments to public assistance benefits (like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid) for the parent's household to reflect the child's new living situation. The bill ensures benefits accurately match where the child resides, preventing overpayment if a child is no longer living with a household receiving aid. It directly affects families receiving public assistance and the state agencies managing those benefits.

Maddy summarySB 208 clarifies that Louisiana state law regarding veterans' services does not apply to federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-accredited representatives, such as veterans' service officers or attorneys. The bill specifically states that state regulations cannot limit or expand requirements for these federally regulated professionals. This is a procedural clarification, not a policy change affecting veterans' benefits or services. The bill has been prefaced and referred to the Judiciary Committee B for review.

Maddy summarySB 505 is a technical amendment that makes a minor change to the text of a law regarding the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Dedicated Fund Account. The bill does not create new policies or affect public programs; instead, it adds a specific line item number to an existing section of the statute. This type of procedural update is intended to correct or clarify the legal record without altering the fund's operations or funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Louisiana Commission on Fatherhood Engagement within the governor's office to promote responsible fatherhood and support fathers across the state. The commission will consist of 16 members representing various state agencies, elected officials, community organizations, and faith groups, who will serve two-year terms without pay. Its main duties include raising awareness about fatherhood challenges, coordinating programs that help fathers build parenting skills and access employment services, organizing a state summit every four years, and submitting annual reports to the legislature with funding requests. The commission will focus on improving father involvement in child custody proceedings, supporting incarcerated fathers, and collecting better data on fatherhood engagement across state agencies. The law will remain in effect until January 1, 2031.

Maddy summarySB 200 allows Louisiana to take over (expropriate) land within 50 miles of military bases if owned or controlled by "foreign adversaries" (as defined by U.S. Treasury lists) or their agents. It directly affects property owners in that zone who meet the bill’s definitions of foreign adversaries or their agents. The law requires the state to prove the ownership poses a threat to public health and safety before proceeding, using procedures similar to existing eminent domain laws but with added documentation. Property owners would receive relocation assistance under Louisiana’s existing laws. The bill aims to protect military bases by removing potential security risks from foreign-controlled land.

Maddy summaryHB 380 authorizes Sowela Technical Community College to create a pilot program partnering with local public school systems in Louisiana. The program aims to increase awareness and access to commercial driver's license (CDL), entry-level driver training, and transportation/logistics career programs for students. The partnership requires approval from both Sowela's governing board and the local school board before implementation.

Maddy summarySB 374 would establish a standardized process for creating economic development districts around University of Louisiana System campuses. These districts, governed by boards including the university president and local business representatives, could levy taxes and manage development on non-residential property near campuses. They would function as local government entities to coordinate economic growth between universities, municipalities, and businesses. The bill aims to streamline development efforts across the state’s university system by providing consistent rules for district creation and operation.