Sen. Rick Edmonds

Maddy summarySB 89 requires the Louisiana Senate to confirm all future appointments to the Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners. This change applies only to members appointed on or after August 1, 2025, meaning current board members remain unaffected. The bill modifies existing law (R.S. 34:2) to add Senate confirmation as a step before appointments take effect. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate (39-0) and now moves to the House for consideration.

Maddy summarySB 66 defines "military status" to clarify protections against discrimination in education, employment, public accommodations, and housing. It specifically includes active/reserve U.S. military members and their dependents (with a defined 180-day support requirement) under existing anti-discrimination law. The bill adds this definition to Louisiana Revised Statute 23:322(10), making it explicit who qualifies for these protections. The Senate unanimously passed the bill (39-0) in April 2025, sending it to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summarySB 90 prohibits betting or wagering on election outcomes in Louisiana. It directly affects anyone who makes, accepts, or facilitates bets related to elections, including offering bets, taking shares, or providing funds for such wagers. The bill adds specific prohibitions to election offense laws, banning actions like placing bets on election results or acting as a party to election-related wagers. This creates a clear legal ban on gambling activities tied to elections, effective August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 118 modifies Louisiana's tax code to exclude certain deposits into ABLE accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience Accounts) from state income tax. Starting in 2026, account owners can exclude up to $2,400 annually (single filers) or $4,800 (joint filers) per beneficiary for qualified disability expenses, with unused amounts rolling over to future years. This applies only to deposits made for beneficiaries with disabilities, excluding the funds from taxable income calculations. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents using ABLE accounts to save for disability-related expenses. It takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 81 requires Louisiana public schools to provide parents with free access to instructional materials, including online resources and printed copies upon request. Schools must establish reasonable in-person viewing hours and may charge only reasonable fees for physical copies made using school equipment - no fees apply for online access or in-person viewing without copies. The bill limits free access to curricula adopted under state law and allows in-person viewing of nonsecure tests, but not digital copies of assessments. School boards must submit their access policies to the state education department by March 2026, with reports to the legislature on compliance. This directly affects parents of students in Louisiana public schools and school districts implementing these policies.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic condolence resolution (SR 155), not a policy bill. It expresses the Louisiana Senate's sincere condolences to the family and friends of Phil Alexander Robertson following his passing on May 25, 2025. The resolution details his life as a Louisiana native, entrepreneur (creator of the "Duck Commander" brand), reality TV figure ("Duck Dynasty"), and community contributor, highlighting his family values and faith. It has no legislative effect or policy changes - it solely serves as a formal expression of sympathy.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 156) that formally commends Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Michael Guidry for receiving the 2025 David A. Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. The resolution recognizes his 27-year judicial service, leadership as the first African American Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeal, and his lifelong commitment to pro bono legal work benefiting underserved communities. It has no policy impact or effect on laws, regulations, or government operations - it is purely a symbolic honor. The Senate passed it on June 1, 2025, and transmitted a copy to Justice Guidry.

Maddy summaryHB 54 designates postsecondary education institutions as "Purple Star Campuses" to recognize schools supporting military-connected students. This voluntary program does not require state funding or create new obligations for institutions. It provides a formal recognition process for colleges/universities meeting specific criteria related to military-family support services. The bill has no fiscal impact on state resources, as noted in its summary.

Maddy summaryHB 279 requires all student organizations at Louisiana colleges and universities to provide annual anti-hazing education to members, prospective members, and volunteers. The bill mandates organizations adopt their institution's hazing prevention policy - including sanctions for hazing incidents - and deliver at least one hour of hazing prevention education each year through in-person or digital methods. Organizations must submit annual reports verifying participation, and institutions may terminate non-compliant groups, reporting terminations to education committees. This directly affects campus student organizations, not individual students or faculty. The legislation focuses on preventing hazing through mandatory education and institutional accountability.

Maddy summarySB 154 criminalizes the possession, distribution, and manufacture of kratom by classifying its active compounds (7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine) as Schedule I controlled substances. It directly affects individuals who use or distribute kratom products, with limited exceptions for medical prescriptions under specific state law. The bill imposes fines and prison terms ranging from up to 3 years for small amounts to up to 5 years for larger quantities, while allowing possession of small amounts (under 20 grams) to be punished by fines only. It replaces previous exemptions for kratom and defines "kratom" broadly to include any substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant or containing its active compounds. The law takes effect on August 1, 2025.