Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter

Maddy summarySB 25 adjusts the salary schedules for Louisiana parish registrars of voters, their chief deputies, and confidential assistants. It establishes new pay ranges based on parish population size (e.g., 0-40,000 residents or 200,001-1,000,000 residents), with specific annual salaries for each population bracket and experience level (Step 1 through Step 12). Compensation is tied to the latest federal census data, Louisiana Tech University population estimates, or locally determined parish population figures. The updated schedule takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting these local election officials across Louisiana's parishes.

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 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 summarySB 132 requires Louisiana public school districts to install secure, wall-mounted exterior key boxes at every public school by January 1, 2027. These boxes must contain copies of all building keys and printed campus maps to enable rapid access for law enforcement and first responders during emergencies. The bill mandates collaboration between school boards and local law enforcement to determine optimal box locations and specifies that boxes must meet anti-theft safety standards. This directly affects all Louisiana public school districts, requiring them to implement this safety measure using state-appropriated funds.

Maddy summarySB 202 increases compensation for Louisiana parish election board members during presidential and congressional elections. It raises the maximum number of compensated days from six to eight for these elections, while adding $50 per day for non-public official members who testify in court as subpoenaed witnesses related to election duties. The bill affects all parish election boards in Louisiana overseeing presidential or congressional elections, without limiting the change to specific parishes. This amendment updates existing compensation rules to provide greater financial support for board members during high-stakes election cycles.

Maddy summaryHB 321 creates legal protections for victims of human trafficking who committed prostitution-related offenses. It establishes an affirmative defense allowing victims (both minors and adults) to avoid prosecution for crimes like prostitution (R.S. 14:82) or solicitation (R.S. 14:83) if those acts resulted directly from trafficking. The bill also presumes children engaged in prostitution are trafficking victims, exempting them from prosecution and requiring referral to specialized services for sexually exploited children. Adults determined to be trafficking victims must be notified about available support services, while children automatically qualify for existing victim assistance programs under Louisiana law.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific limits on how many legislative proposals individual lawmakers can submit during a single annual session. It restricts non-committee leaders to ten prefiled bills, while committee vice chairs and chairs are allowed up to twelve and fifteen bills, respectively. The legislation also caps the number of resolutions a member can introduce at ten, excluding routine or perfunctory items. Certain essential bills, such as those for state appropriations and capital projects, are exempt from these counting limits to ensure critical funding measures can be proposed without restriction.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requires the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to the state legislature starting in 2027. The report will detail how long it takes, on average, for veterans to file claims for services after leaving the military, along with data on filing trends and any barriers causing delays. By collecting this information, the legislature aims to better understand gaps in service access and evaluate the effectiveness of current support programs. The findings will be shared with both the Senate and House committees on veterans and military affairs to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 183 is a commemorative measure that formally congratulates blues legend George 'Buddy' Guy on his 90th birthday. The resolution recognizes his lifelong contributions to music and culture, highlighting his origins in Louisiana and his influence on artists worldwide. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official expression of gratitude from the Louisiana Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that asks the American Sugarcane League, LSU AgCenter, and Southern University Agricultural Center to keep researching new equipment that reduces the need to burn sugarcane fields after harvest. The request specifically targets these organizations and agricultural manufacturers to develop technology that addresses air quality and soil health concerns while maintaining efficient farming practices. As a procedural measure, the resolution does not create new laws or regulations but instead formally encourages ongoing collaborative work on this specific agricultural issue.