Sen. Bob Owen

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the law governing charitable gaming to clarify that licensing requirements apply not just to leases, but also to other types of rental agreements for bingo, raffle, and keno events. By replacing the specific term "lease" with "or other agreement" in multiple sections, the legislation ensures that organizers using various contract types remain compliant with existing regulations. The change directly affects charitable organizations and event venues that host these games, expanding the scope of covered arrangements without altering the core licensing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Slidell, Louisiana, to potentially impose a tax on hotel room occupancy, but only if voters approve it through a local election. The tax would be limited to a maximum of two percent on hotel room fees and would be collected from guests when they pay for their stay. If approved, the city government would create the tax through an ordinance and could contract with tax collection agencies to administer it. Any revenue generated from the tax must be used to fund recreational facilities or other tourism-related projects specified in the voter-approved proposition.

Maddy summarySB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Louisiana Medicaid to cover FDA-approved weight loss medications for eligible adults over eighteen. To qualify, patients must have a BMI of 30 or higher with at least one related health condition like diabetes or hypertension, or a BMI of 35 or higher without additional conditions. Coverage will require prior authorization limited to verifying these eligibility criteria, with initial approval for six months and continued coverage depending on documented clinical improvement. The bill also prohibits step therapy requirements for these medications and mandates that the Department of Health implement the coverage while maintaining fiscal sustainability.

Maddy summaryHB 457 establishes minimum housing standards for emergency shelters, community facilities, group homes, and halfway houses serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health must create rules covering safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability for these facilities, in consultation with the state fire marshal. The fire marshal will conduct annual inspections to ensure these housing options meet safety and sanitation standards. Additionally, the Department of Health must seek federal waivers to secure healthcare funding for homeless individuals receiving these services. The bill directly affects homeless service providers and the housing conditions they offer.

Maddy summaryHB 401 designates the elevated section of U.S. Highway 190 over the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, St. Tammany Parish, as the "Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge" to honor a military corporal. The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, using local or private funds to cover costs up to $2,250 per sign. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no substantive policy changes, solely commemorating an individual through a public infrastructure designation.

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 bill redesignates a section of U.S. Highway 190 in Baton Rouge as the "Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway" to honor Jesse Jackson. It directly affects the Department of Transportation and Development, which is responsible for installing and maintaining new signage for the renamed highway. The legislation requires that the cost of creating and mounting the signs be covered by local or private funding, with a limit of $2,250 per sign. No changes to traffic rules or road usage are included in this measure.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors Ed Tillison, a Pearl River native and former Detroit Lions player, for being the first professional football player from his hometown. It formally recognizes his achievements in athletics, business ventures like Tillison Trucking, and his ongoing community service and mentorship efforts. The bill does not change any laws or policies; instead, it serves as an official commendation from the Louisiana Senate to be presented to Tillison.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Thursday, May 28, 2026, as IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day in Louisiana. The resolution aims to increase public and professional awareness of IgA nephropathy, a rare form of kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure. By highlighting this specific condition, the bill seeks to encourage better screening, diagnosis, and treatment efforts for kidney disease patients and their families. This measure is symbolic and does not change any laws or allocate funding.