Sen. Thomas Pressly

Maddy summarySB 170 amends Louisiana law to establish specific appointment rules for the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission. It requires Senate confirmation for all nine commissioners, mandates that appointees have expertise in economic development or related fields, and specifies how local officials (from Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Shreveport, and Bossier City) must appoint members based on residency and term lengths. The bill also requires appointing authorities to consider racial diversity to reflect the communities they represent. This procedural bill directly affects the composition and selection process of the port commission, not port operations or policies.

Maddy summarySB 174 authorizes Louisiana Tech University and the state commissioner of administration to transfer a specific parcel of state-owned property (Lot 1, Shreve Park Industrial Campus) in Caddo Parish to the Caddo Parish School Board, excluding mineral rights. The bill requires the parties to agree on terms proportional to the property's appraised value and execute necessary documents for the transfer. This legislation directly affects the Caddo Parish School Board, which would gain ownership of the described parcel for potential educational or community use, while the state retains mineral rights to the land.

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 summarySB 222 streamlines Medicaid behavioral health services in Louisiana by removing unnecessary administrative barriers for providers. It prohibits requiring pre-employment reference letters (§302), eliminates most CPR/first aid certification demands for staff (§303), aligns documentation timelines with federal standards (§305), and allows physician assistants with specific experience to serve as medical directors (§307). The bill also requires the state to seek federal approval for telehealth reimbursement of psychosocial services by July 2026 (§308). These changes directly affect Medicaid behavioral health providers, aiming to reduce duplication and expand workforce flexibility while maintaining care quality.

Maddy summarySB 322 creates a new "Louisiana Youth Apprentice" category for workers under 24 in apprenticeship programs. It requires youth apprentices to complete at least 375 hours of employment combined with an approved training program leading to both a high school diploma or equivalent and an industry credential (like a certificate or technical certification). This defines a separate pathway from standard apprenticeships, which require 2,000+ hours, and applies specifically to young workers seeking job training and credentials. The bill amends existing Louisiana law to establish these youth-specific eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 354 renames the Magnolia Bridge (on Louisiana Highway 64 over the Amite River between East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes) as the "Caleb Easterling Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, with costs covered by local or private funds not exceeding $750 per sign. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or services.

Maddy summaryHB 9 designates Shreveport as Louisiana's "Stuffed Shrimp Capital" through a ceremonial state symbol designation under R.S. 49:170.26. This procedural bill has no regulatory, financial, or operational impact - it simply adds a symbolic title to Louisiana's official state symbols without altering laws or affecting residents, businesses, or government programs. The bill’s sole provision is the formal recognition of Shreveport’s association with stuffed shrimp, a cultural reference without policy consequences. As a commemorative measure, it does not require implementation mechanisms or budget allocations.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 137 is a commemorative measure that formally acknowledges the historical importance of U.S. Highway 80 in Louisiana. The resolution highlights the highway's role as an early transcontinental route that boosted commerce, tourism, and cultural development in communities like Shreveport and Ruston. It specifically notes the road's connection to the Louisiana Hayride and its designation as a scenic byway with preserved roadside architecture. This bill does not change any laws or policies; instead, it serves to celebrate the approaching 100th anniversary of the highway's original designation in 1926.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's support for a formal study requested by Senator John N. Kennedy. The study is directed at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate how land use changes and habitat loss impact migratory waterfowl behavior and populations within the Mississippi Flyway. Specifically, the resolution asks the federal agency to examine variables affecting waterfowl winter distributions, breeding patterns, and related economic outcomes in response to observed population declines in Louisiana. The primary effect of the bill is to formally endorse the request for this research rather than to enact new laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 234 requires all public Louisiana medical schools offering doctorate degrees to use a letter-grade system (A-F with plus/minus) for student coursework starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. It directly affects public medical schools and their grading policies, mandating that all medical degree coursework be assessed using this specific scale. The Louisiana Board of Regents will enforce the rule and can impose civil penalties for violations. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is titled the "Medical School Letter Grade Act."