Rep. Mark Wright

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses condolences for the death of Joe R. Salter, a former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and officially recognizes his contributions to the state. It acknowledges his long public service career, including his role as Speaker during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, and his subsequent work in various state government positions. The document records his notable accomplishments for posterity and extends appreciation to his family and the Louisiana community he served.

Maddy summaryHB 942 expands Louisiana's definition of "first responder" to include public works employees (e.g., road crews, utility workers, and infrastructure maintenance staff). It formally recognizes these employees as essential during emergencies, requiring them to assist with infrastructure repairs, debris clearance, and disaster response coordination. The bill explicitly states it does not change retirement benefits, workers' compensation eligibility, or create mandatory pay increases - any future changes to benefits would require separate legislation. Public works employees can now participate in emergency training programs but retain existing civil service rights and classifications. This defines their emergency role without altering current employment terms.

Maddy summaryHB 619 allows Louisiana's state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the Budget Stabilization Fund's balance in gold, silver, platinum, or digital assets (like cryptocurrency) meeting strict criteria. Specifically, digital assets must have a total market value exceeding $750 billion averaged over the prior year, and all investments must follow secure custody rules - such as using licensed custodians or approved digital storage solutions. The bill defines key terms like "digital assets" and "secure custody solution" to ensure assets are held safely and transparently. This directly affects how the state manages its savings fund, limiting investments to high-value, regulated assets while requiring robust security measures.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (HB 744) would allow Louisiana's Public Service Commission to regulate all common carriers (like transportation services) and public utilities (such as gas, water, and electric companies), including those currently operated by local governments in New Orleans. It removes the current restriction that required voter approval for the Commission to regulate utilities owned by cities or parishes, except for safety rules. Crucially, it explicitly requires the Commission to regulate all such services in New Orleans, overriding the city's home rule charter. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Patricia Lowrey-Dufour upon her retirement as the senior legislative analyst for the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs with House Legislative Services. It formally recognizes her nearly four decades of dedicated service to the Louisiana Legislature, acknowledging her expertise and significant contributions to the institution.

Maddy summarySB 15 makes it a crime for state or local officials or others to intentionally interfere with federal immigration enforcement actions, such as hindering, delaying, or preventing cooperation with federal authorities. The bill amends Louisiana law to criminalize these acts, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. It includes an exception allowing public officials to follow court orders that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts. The law aims to ensure state and local entities comply with federal immigration enforcement without restricting lawful judicial processes.

Maddy summaryHB 624 transfers specific family and support programs currently managed by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It also renames the Workforce Commission to "Louisiana Works" and removes references to DCFS in related statutes. This change directly affects the agencies involved and the individuals receiving these services, such as those accessing workforce development or family support programs. The bill modifies legal references to ensure seamless program transfer without altering the core services provided.

Maddy summaryHB 483 is a technical amendment to existing banking law that updates the definition of "virtual currency" to explicitly include "kiosk" as a method of transaction. The bill makes no new policy changes but clarifies that virtual currency kiosks fall under current banking regulations. This procedural update affects how existing banking rules apply to businesses operating virtual currency kiosks, ensuring they are covered under current oversight. The bill passed committee and moved to third reading with no opposition.

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.)