Rep. Robby Carter

Maddy summaryHB 226 changes Louisiana civil court procedure by requiring a hearing before a request for admission is automatically considered admitted. Currently, if a party doesn’t respond within 30 days, the request is deemed admitted; this bill adds a "contradictory hearing" where both sides can argue before that happens. It directly affects parties in civil lawsuits who receive requests for admissions, giving them a formal opportunity to contest the request before it becomes binding. The key change is replacing automatic admission with a hearing requirement, while also clarifying that responses must specifically deny or explain why an admission can’t be given.

Maddy summaryHB 782 regulates vapor products and alternative nicotine products in Louisiana by establishing new definitions, increasing permit fees, and adding enforcement mechanisms. It requires retail businesses selling these products to obtain permits (increasing annual fees from $25 to $100 for retailers), mandates wholesale dealers to verify retailers have valid permits, and prohibits remote sales. Violations can result in fines up to $4,000 for repeat offenses, and unpermitted products may be seized and forfeited. The bill directly affects retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers operating in this market within Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases survivor benefits for families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who die while performing their official duties. It establishes a base payment of $350,000 to the surviving spouse, or to the children or estate if no spouse exists, with an additional $50,000 for each dependent child. The law requires officers and firefighters to complete beneficiary designation forms and specifies that payments come from the state's Self-Insurance Fund. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to deaths resulting from injuries sustained while protecting life and property during official activities.

Maddy summaryHB 590 creates two new programs to improve communication during traffic stops for drivers with specific conditions. The Green Envelope Program provides specially designed green envelopes (for drivers with mental health conditions or their guardians) and the Blue Envelope Program provides blue envelopes (for drivers with autism spectrum disorder or their guardians). Each envelope includes exterior communication guidelines for law enforcement and can hold essential documents like licenses, registrations, and medical information, with no medical documentation required to request either envelope. The programs aim to help officers interact more effectively during stops, directly affecting drivers with these conditions and their families.

Maddy summaryHB 719 mandates minimum staffing levels for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) across all 42 judicial districts in Louisiana, including Orleans Parish (New Orleans). The bill specifies exact minimum numbers - such as 35 ADAs for the First Judicial District and 83 for Orleans Parish - requiring district attorneys to appoint at least these numbers in each district. It also requires approval from the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys before implementation, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects district attorneys’ offices by setting enforceable staffing requirements, without altering legal procedures or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the U.S. Congress and the United States Forest Service to permit the use of dogs for hunting within the Kisatchie National Forest. It also requests that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries collaborate with the Forest Service to ensure this hunting practice is conducted safely and sustainably. The legislation does not create new laws but serves as a formal recommendation to federal and state agencies regarding hunting regulations in the specified forest area.

Maddy summaryThis resolution from the Louisiana House of Representatives asks the Department of Conservation and Energy to study whether new laws are needed for the cleanup and protection of land after gravel mining. The study will examine specific actions like removing mining equipment, reshaping the land, and replanting vegetation, as well as safety distances from homes and waterways. The department must submit its findings to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment before the 2027 legislative session begins.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the U.S. Congress to oppose any efforts to transfer, privatize, or remove parts of the Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish, Louisiana, from federal ownership. The bill highlights the forest's cultural, economic, and recreational value to the community while urging increased investment in outdoor activities and conservation. It does not change federal law but serves as a formal expression of local support for keeping the land under federal management.

Maddy summaryHB 79 removes legal limits on compensatory damages for noneconomic losses (like pain and suffering) in lawsuits related to carbon capture and storage operations in Louisiana. It eliminates previous caps of $250,000 per person (or $500,000 for severe injuries like permanent disability) and a $1 million fallback, allowing full recovery for such damages. The bill directly affects individuals harmed by carbon dioxide storage facilities, pipelines, or CO2 generators, shifting liability risk to operators. Key provisions amend Section 1109(B) to remove these damage thresholds while maintaining other technical requirements for site restoration and federal compliance.

Maddy summarySB 125 increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted in Louisiana. It raises the annual payment rate from $25,000 to $40,000 per year incarcerated, with a new maximum total of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026 (up from $400,000 previously). It also allows those convicted before July 2022 to apply for supplemental payments (up to $40,000 annually) by August 1, 2027, and offers a $250,000 lump sum option for new claims filed after July 2022. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents who were wrongfully imprisoned and seek financial redress under state law.