Sen. Adam Bass

Maddy summaryHB 264 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers to increase transparency around drug pricing and compensation practices. It prohibits PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for claims (Amendment 7) and mandates drug manufacturers to notify the state commissioner of significant price increases (over 15% for brand drugs or "specialty" drugs) with explanations (Amendment 16). The bill also creates a fund for enforcement (Amendment 3) and requires PBMs to notify pharmacies of payment errors and allow claim corrections (Amendment 10). These provisions directly affect pharmacies, PBMs, and drug manufacturers by altering how drug costs and rebates are disclosed and managed.

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 summaryBased on the provided information, HB 635 aims to establish the "Creating Holistic Options in Coverage for Enterprise and Self-Insurance (CHOICES) Law." However, the provided bill text is only Amendment No. 1, which makes a technical change by deleting lines 24 and 25 on page 8 and inserting "as otherwise provided in this Subsection." Without the full text of the bill, the specific mechanisms, provisions, and direct impacts of the CHOICES Law cannot be detailed.

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 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 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.

Maddy summarySB 181 is a procedural bill that makes minor editorial corrections to existing Louisiana gaming regulations. It clarifies the name of the governing body (changing "board and the division" to "Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the division") and corrects terminology (changing "on-line" to "online" and "blacklist" to "black list"). The bill does not create new prohibitions, change policy, or directly affect any individuals or entities. It solely refines the wording of current law for clarity and consistency.