Sen. Stewart Cathey

Maddy summaryHB 640 creates the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction within the state Department of Transportation. The bill grants this new office authority to use emergency procurement procedures for highway projects until January 1, 2026, mirroring existing rules for the broader transportation department. This directly affects state transportation operations by establishing a dedicated unit with specific buying powers for highway construction needs. The bill focuses on administrative structure and procurement processes, not on changing road standards or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 617 updates the legal references within Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) by changing titles and terminology. It replaces terms like "administrator" with "administrator assistant secretary," removes "child welfare" references, and updates them to "Louisiana Works" in multiple sections of the law. The bill has no financial or operational impact on services, as noted in the bill's "EN NO IMPACT" designation. This is purely an administrative adjustment to align legal language with current department structure and program naming.

Maddy summaryHCR 44 is a non-binding resolution urging the Louisiana State University School of Public Health to reconsider its recommended age for routine breast cancer screening. It does not change any current guidelines or mandate action; it simply asks the school to review its recommendations. The resolution is currently pending floor debate after passing committee review, but it has no legal effect on healthcare policies or patient care. This type of resolution expresses legislative opinion but does not alter medical practices.

Maddy summarySCR 60 is a resolution requesting Louisiana's Department of Insurance to study how 2025 insurance reforms impacted the state's market competitiveness. The study will analyze specific metrics - including carrier applications, rate changes, consumer complaints, and premium trends - for homeowners' and auto insurance from July 2024 through November 2026. It requires comparing data against pre-reform baselines and reporting findings to insurance committees by December 2026, including how each reform affected the market and policy recommendations. This procedural bill does not change laws but seeks data to evaluate recent reforms' effectiveness for consumers and insurers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 185), not a policy bill. It formally commends Liberty Baptist Church in Union Parish, Louisiana, for celebrating its 175th anniversary. The resolution recognizes the church's historical significance, community service, and longstanding role in the parish, citing its founding in 1850 and continued ministry efforts. It has no legal effect or direct impact on policies, regulations, or individuals beyond expressing legislative appreciation.

Maddy summarySR 208 is a Louisiana Senate resolution expressing heartfelt condolences for the passing of Oscar Earl Carter III, recognizing his 35-year leadership as executive director of the Dr. O.E. Carter, Jr. Memorial Foundation (a nationally accredited opioid treatment center in New Orleans) and his service as a legislative aide for Senator Joe Bouie. The resolution commemorates his life of compassion, community advocacy, and dedication to underserved populations through his work with organizations like VERTCART, Inc. and the Knights of St. Peter Claver. It was unanimously adopted by the Senate on June 12, 2025, and transmitted to his family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding policy impact but formally honors his legacy.

Maddy summarySR 201 is a Louisiana Senate resolution urging Congress and federal health agencies (HHS and CMS) to avoid Medicaid funding reductions that would harm Louisiana hospitals. It specifically requests they maintain current reimbursement levels for hospitals, approve pending payment requests, and prevent cuts that could lead to service reductions or closures, especially in rural areas. The resolution emphasizes that such funding is critical for sustaining healthcare access for vulnerable populations - including the elderly and chronically ill - and supporting local hospital employment and community economic stability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 184) urges the Louisiana Supreme Court to amend its continuing legal education (CLE) rules to allow licensed legislative staff attorneys to earn eight hours of CLE credit annually, similar to what legislators and certain legislative clerks currently receive. It directly affects full-time legislative staff attorneys who perform year-round legal work drafting bills, conducting research, and advising lawmakers. The bill cites that these attorneys conduct critical legal work central to the legislative process but are excluded from the existing CLE credit exemption under Supreme Court rules. The resolution requests the Court take action to align the credit policy with the current exemption for legislators and chief clerks. This is a procedural request, not a binding law, and does not change the Court's existing rules.

Maddy summarySR 209 is a resolution requesting the Louisiana Department of Health to study the effects of banning pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies. It directs the department to analyze how such a prohibition would impact costs for health plans, patient access to medications (including specialty drugs), employment in the pharmacy sector, and other key areas like Medicare network adequacy. The study must produce a report by March 2026, covering eight specific points including cost estimates, employment changes, and access to limited-distribution medications. This resolution does not change current law but seeks factual analysis to inform future legislative decisions on vertical integration in healthcare.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (SR 207) that formally commends Tina Vanichchagorn for 20 years of public service in Louisiana. It recognizes her career path, including roles as a prosecutor, Drug Court Coordinator, legislative attorney, and current special counsel to Senate President Cameron Henry. The resolution has no policy impact or legal effect - it solely expresses the Senate’s appreciation through a formal statement. It passed unanimously (37-0) on June 12, 2025, and was enrolled for official transmission.