Sen. Adam Bass

Maddy summarySB 272 requires Louisiana to adopt rules recognizing federal permits for nuclear power generation under a federal permitting parity program. It would allow nuclear power facilities to operate in Louisiana using permits issued by other states under this federal program. The key mechanism amends permitting rules to include a notice that permits comply with the federal parity program. This directly affects nuclear power generation facilities seeking to operate in Louisiana. The bill creates reciprocity to streamline permitting across state lines for nuclear facilities.

Maddy summarySB 368 requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to report price increases for prescription drugs that exceed annual changes in the Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs, or when introducing new specialty drugs. Manufacturers must provide detailed cost explanations, including production costs, research and development expenses, and marketing costs. The Louisiana Department of Insurance and Department of Health will make this information publicly accessible online and require annual reports tracking drug pricing trends and the top 25 costliest drugs. The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance and allows state agencies to audit reporting entities. (Note: This bill is currently pending and not yet enacted.)

Maddy summarySB 372 expands the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner's authority to examine pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) financial records. It allows the commissioner to access detailed payment data between insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies to verify the accuracy of required transparency reports. The bill specifically authorizes review of individual drug payment amounts paid by insurers to PBMs and by PBMs to pharmacies. This directly affects PBMs, insurers, and pharmacies by increasing oversight of their financial transactions. The law aims to improve transparency in how PBMs handle drug payments within the insurance system.

Maddy summarySB 381 (Louisiana) regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by requiring them to pass all drug manufacturer rebates directly to health plans as lower premiums or reduced patient costs, rather than keeping them. It prohibits PBMs from withholding rebates to exclude generic or cheaper drugs from formularies and bans requiring patients to use more expensive brand-name drugs when cheaper alternatives exist. The bill also mandates a 60-day transition period for patients when a drug is removed from a formulary, ensuring continuity of care during plan changes. These provisions directly affect PBMs, health insurers, pharmacies, and patients in Louisiana by increasing transparency and reducing out-of-pocket costs. The bill is pending legislative action as of its prefiling date.

Maddy summarySB 232 updates Louisiana's motion picture production tax credit program by adding a requirement for film productions to include specific promotional elements to qualify for the credit. The bill defines a "Louisiana promotional graphic" as a short (up to 5 seconds), static or animated visual in end credits or broadcasts that promotes the state, plus an electronic press kit or customized video. This applies directly to film and television productions seeking the tax credit, requiring them to incorporate these approved promotional materials. The changes revise existing tax credit provisions to include these new branding requirements for eligible productions.

Maddy summarySB 97 creates the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation (CURENT) Authority to coordinate state efforts across recreation, economic development, navigation, and transportation. The bill requires the legislature to appropriate funds for the authority's operations, making funding a prerequisite for its implementation. This procedural bill establishes a new state entity but does not mandate specific policy changes or directly affect citizens or businesses until funding is approved. The authority would operate under legislative budget decisions, with no current votes or detailed policy provisions beyond the funding requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 624 transfers specific family and support programs currently managed by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It also renames the Workforce Commission to "Louisiana Works" and removes references to DCFS in related statutes. This change directly affects the agencies involved and the individuals receiving these services, such as those accessing workforce development or family support programs. The bill modifies legal references to ensure seamless program transfer without altering the core services provided.

Maddy summaryHB 408, known as "The Gillian Guiffreda Act," mandates that health insurance plans cover treatments for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and related conditions. This directly affects children diagnosed with PANS - a severe neurological condition causing sudden behavioral and cognitive changes - and their families, who previously faced barriers to insurance coverage for specialized care. The bill requires insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments related to these conditions, without imposing additional out-of-pocket costs on patients. It focuses on ensuring access to established medical care rather than creating new treatments or programs.

Maddy summarySB 26 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to create and provide type 1 diabetes informational materials to the state Department of Education. These materials, which include descriptions of type 1 diabetes, risk factors, warning signs, and recommendations for blood autoantibody screening, must be distributed by school boards to parents and legal guardians of prekindergarten through secondary students at enrollment and annually. The bill mandates that schools share this information via website posting or electronic distribution, focusing on early detection and treatment guidance. It directly affects Louisiana public school students, their families, and school boards by standardizing diabetes awareness in educational settings. The legislation does not fund treatment or alter healthcare access but aims to inform families about critical diabetes indicators.

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.