Sen. Patrick McMath

Maddy summaryHB 652 allocates $240,608 in state funding to support seafood safety testing programs. The bill establishes a framework for testing seafood products for contaminants before they reach consumers. This affects seafood processors, retailers, and distributors who must use these testing services, while consumers benefit from enhanced food safety standards. The funding is specifically designated for testing under state oversight.

Maddy summarySCR 58 is a Louisiana state resolution urging Congress to reject federal proposals that would shift SNAP (food assistance) costs to states. Currently fully funded by the federal government, SNAP supports 42 million people nationwide. The resolution opposes a House proposal requiring states to cover 5-25% of SNAP costs based on error rates, which would force Louisiana to pay $283-473 million annually starting in 2028. This resolution has been reported favorably by Louisiana’s Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.

Maddy summarySCR 68 is a ceremonial resolution commending the LSU Shreveport Pilots Baseball Team for winning the 2025 NAIA Baseball National Championship. It recognizes their historic 59-0 undefeated season, which broke the previous college baseball record and marked the program's first national title. The resolution, passed unanimously by the Louisiana Legislature, formally congratulates the team, coach, and university for their achievements and individual honors. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or impact on policy, regulations, or any specific individuals beyond the stated recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 180) is a ceremonial commendation by the Louisiana Senate honoring Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel, a young man who has battled brain and spinal cancer since age six, and his family. It recognizes DJ's resilience, his dream of becoming a police officer inspired after Hurricane Harvey, and his honorary appointments with over 1,300 law enforcement agencies, including a 2025 swearing-in as a U.S. Secret Service agent. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create any legal obligations or affect policies - it serves solely to publicly acknowledge DJ's story and his family's support.

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 145 removes restrictions on where bulkheads (shoreline structures) can be built on certain water bodies in St. Tammany Parish. It specifically eliminates previous requirements that limited construction to specific locations like the Tchefuncte River or its distributaries. The bill directly affects property owners and developers in St. Tammany Parish seeking to build or modify bulkheads along designated waterways. This change allows for more flexible placement of bulkheads on those water bodies without the prior location-specific constraints.

Maddy summarySB 58 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana law called "child grooming" (defined under R.S. 14:81.7), making it illegal to commit or attempt to commit acts intended to build a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who engage in such grooming behavior and law enforcement handling related cases. The key provision adds "child grooming" as a specific sexual offense against minors under Louisiana law (R.S. 15:541(25)(o)), and also treats equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions as if they occurred in Louisiana (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)). The bill amends existing criminal codes to formally define and criminalize this conduct.

Maddy summarySB 52 exempts grants from Louisiana's Fortify Homes Program from state individual income tax starting January 1, 2025. It directly affects Louisiana homeowners who receive these grants, which are designed to help strengthen homes against storms. The bill adds a specific exclusion to the state's tax code, ensuring these grant amounts are not counted as taxable income when calculating state income tax. This change applies only to grants received on or after the effective date, with no other policy changes described in the bill text.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 159 adjusts supervision rules for physical therapists by increasing the maximum number of physical therapist assistants they can supervise from five to six individuals at one time. It also requires physical therapists to conduct a formal review of supervised personnel every sixth treatment day or every thirty days, whichever occurs first. The bill directly affects physical therapists and their assistants in clinical settings by modifying staffing ratios and oversight frequency. This is a procedural change to existing practice standards, not a new program or benefit.