Rep. Phillip DeVillier

Maddy summarySB 42 is a technical amendment to clarify which state office oversees perinatal behavioral health treatment services. It corrects the reference from "office of group benefits" to the properly capitalized "Office of Group Benefits" in the bill text. This change affects administrative processes within the state's health care system but does not alter eligibility, funding, or patient access to perinatal mental health services. The bill focuses solely on updating terminology for clarity in existing policy language.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 556 is a technical correction bill that updates outdated legal references in Louisiana law regarding the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). It revises specific statute citations (such as R.S. 48:23, 76(C), 92, and 94) to align with current code sections, ensuring DOTD's operational procedures reference the correct laws. This procedural bill does not change DOTD's duties, funding, or public-facing policies - it only corrects statutory language for administrative accuracy. The bill affects the DOTD's internal operations by ensuring its legal framework matches current state statutes. (Note: This is a technical amendment, not a substantive policy change.)

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 466 requires Louisiana public school systems to provide a permanent salary increase for teachers and other school employees using savings from the state's payment of certain pension liabilities. It directly affects all public school systems and their covered personnel, including teachers (certificated) and support staff (noncertificated) as defined by specific job codes. The bill mandates schools incorporate this increase into salary schedules and extend it to employees on approved leave (e.g., medical, military, maternity/adoptive leave), with schools required to report implementation to the state Department of Education by December 31. Charter schools participating in the Teachers' Retirement System must comply with this provision, though they remain exempt from most other public school mandates.

Maddy summaryHB 496 modifies auto insurance requirements to allow drivers a temporary gap in coverage of up to 90 days without penalty. It directly affects vehicle owners who may experience brief lapses in insurance payments, such as due to payment delays or administrative errors. The bill amends existing law to specify that coverage lapses exceeding 90 days remain subject to standard penalties. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026, or later if vetoed and overridden. This change provides limited flexibility for short-term coverage interruptions while maintaining the core requirement for continuous insurance.

Maddy summaryHB 526 designates a state website managed by the commissioner of administration as the official journal of the state, replacing printed versions. It requires the commissioner to post specific information about state boards and commissions on this website. The bill directly affects state government operations by shifting official record-keeping and transparency efforts online. The policy change becomes effective July 1, 2027, as specified in the bill's amendment. This is a procedural change focused on digital record-keeping, not substantive policy affecting citizens.

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 summaryThis resolution (HR 280) requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study whether digital products (like apps or software) should be covered under Louisiana’s Products Liability Act, which currently applies to physical products. It asks the Institute to recommend to the legislature by February 2026 whether digital product designers and manufacturers should face the same safety standards as makers of physical products. The study aims to address legal gaps highlighted by recent court cases involving digital platforms and clarify liability for digital products in Louisiana. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to inform future policy decisions. It directly affects digital product companies operating in Louisiana by potentially subjecting them to new liability standards.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution urges the EPA to fast-track testing and approval of a feral hog toxicant developed by LSU AgCenter. It specifically requests the EPA use an existing exemption (Limited Replicated Field Trials) to bypass the typical 10-year review process, directly affecting Louisiana agriculture which faces over $90 million in annual damages from feral hogs. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks federal agencies to expedite safety testing for a sodium nitrite-based solution to address the invasive species threat.