Sen. Sam Jenkins

Maddy summarySB 96 creates a special "Fallen Heroes" license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles, requiring at least 1,000 applicants to activate the plate. It mandates an annual $25 fee (plus a $3.50 handling fee) for the plate, collected by the state motor vehicle department. The $25 fee is specifically directed to the Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation to purchase bulletproof vests for Louisiana peace officers. This is a procedural bill focused on license plate design, fee collection, and fund allocation, with no other substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 104 designates a specific segment of Louisiana Highway 1 in Pointe Coupee Parish (from the intersection with Highway 78 to the Pointe Coupee Parish line) as the "Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway" to honor the renowned author. The bill requires the state transportation department to install signage only if local or private funds cover the costs (capped at $750 per sign for materials and installation). This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, directly affecting the designated highway corridor and its signage. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summarySB 103 names a section of U.S. Highway 425 in Wisner, Louisiana (from the northern to southern city limits in Franklin Parish) as "Gladys Edwards Highway." It requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs for this designation, but only if local or private funds cover the department's actual costs for materials and installation - capped at $750 per sign. This is a ceremonial bill with no policy changes to transportation funding or infrastructure. The bill is currently pending referral to the Transportation Committee.

Maddy summarySB 160 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 171 in Florien, Louisiana (from the northern to southern village limits in Sabine Parish) as "Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation only if local or private funds cover the department's actual costs for materials and installation, with a maximum cost of $750 per sign. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes affecting residents, businesses, or state funding beyond the signage costs. The bill has been prefaced and referred to the Transportation Committee but has not yet advanced further.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the entire length of Interstate 49 in Louisiana (from its intersection with I-10 in Lafayette Parish northward) as the "Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway." It requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation only if local or private funds cover the department's actual costs for materials and installation, up to $2,250 per sign. The bill directly affects the highway corridor and its signage, with no financial burden on the state. It is a procedural naming measure with no substantive policy changes beyond the highway designation and signage cost rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Sunday, May 10, 2026, as "Shreveport Stuffed Shrimp Festival Day" to honor the culinary legacy of Eddie Eugene Hughes and his family. The resolution recognizes Hughes as a pioneer in Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp and acknowledges the long-standing contributions of his restaurant, Eddie's Seafood and Soul Food. By officially naming the date, the legislature aims to highlight the cultural significance of the annual festival and the heritage it represents within the Shreveport community. This measure does not alter laws or policies but serves as a formal commemoration of local history and tradition.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana Senate resolution asks the U.S. Congress to provide timely and complete funding for the military that matches the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill specifically targets military personnel and their families in Louisiana, aiming to reduce budget uncertainty that can delay construction, training, and essential services like housing and healthcare. It also requests that the federal government prioritize support for quality of life issues, including compensation and expanded access to fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. By sending this request to federal lawmakers, the state legislature seeks to ensure stable resources for defense operations and the well-being of service members.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that expresses condolences to the family of Rubye Helen Jackson following her death in April 2026. The document honors her life as an educator, community volunteer, and member of various organizations in Louisiana. It directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to her family to acknowledge her contributions and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that commends Sylvia Fowles for her induction into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. It directly affects Fowles by officially recognizing her distinguished career in women's basketball, which includes multiple Olympic gold medals and WNBA championships. The resolution highlights her specific achievements, such as her time at LSU and her professional records, to justify the honor. Ultimately, the document serves to transmit a copy of this commendation to Fowles as a gesture of appreciation for her contributions to the sport.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally commends and congratulates John James Marshall on receiving the 2026 Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism and his induction into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. The resolution recognizes Marshall's five-decade career in sports media, highlighting his achievements as a journalist, broadcaster, and educator in Louisiana. It does not create new laws or change any policies but serves to publicly acknowledge his contributions to the state's sports community.