Sen. Stewart Cathey

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 summaryHB 807 establishes a special fund within Louisiana's state treasury to support the Community and Technical College System's workforce training programs. It directly affects community colleges and private-sector employers in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology by providing funding to hire more instructors and expand training capacity. Key provisions include using the fund for rapid-response instructor deployment, recruitment incentives, temporary instructors, and salary supplements - while prohibiting these funds from replacing existing state higher education funding. The program requires annual reporting to legislative committees on fund usage, supported industries, and credentials awarded.

Maddy summaryHB 325 revises Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship eligibility by adding a new pathway for students to qualify. Instead of requiring only a minimum GPA or ACT score, students can now qualify by completing at least nine credit hours of early college coursework (through dual enrollment or technical programs) or equivalent validated skills. This change applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in college during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects Louisiana students seeking this career-focused scholarship by expanding how they can meet academic requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 816 prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by U.S. Treasury) and entities with foreign adversary control from owning or acquiring land within 25 miles of designated Louisiana military installations. The bill directly affects foreign governments, corporations, or investment funds with foreign adversary ties seeking to purchase or lease such adjacent property. Key provisions include requiring affidavits to verify non-adversary status, imposing $50,000 civil penalties for violations, and allowing contract rescission if a foreign adversary interest is discovered. Exceptions cover U.S. citizens, legal residents, and residential properties (1-4 family homes). The law aims to protect military sites by restricting ownership near installations, with enforcement handled by the state attorney general.

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 summarySB 29 requires Louisiana coroners to perform autopsies on infants under one year and children under fifteen who die unexpectedly without explanation. The autopsies must include toxicology, microscopic exams, and review of immunization records from the state registry, with coroners documenting recent immunizations in the report. Coroner findings of sudden infant death (SIDS) or similar causes must be reported to local health units within 48 hours and to the CDC/NIH registry. Parents may object in writing to an autopsy, but coroners may override this if public health or safety requires it. The bill directly affects coroners, health departments, and the state immunization registry.

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 summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates Sanil Savita Thorat, a fifth-grade student from Caddo Parish, for being named Louisiana's 2026 Elementary Student of the Year. The bill recognizes his achievements in spelling, music, and track and field, as well as his community service and academic excellence. By passing this measure, the Senate records his accomplishment for posterity and officially extends its best wishes for his future endeavors.

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Insurance to investigate how auto insurers handle vehicle damage claims, specifically looking into whether companies unfairly direct customers to preferred repair shops and how disputes over claim amounts are settled. The study aims to examine current laws that prohibit insurers from forcing repairs at specific locations while allowing them to recommend certain facilities, and to identify gaps in the existing dispute resolution process for non-total-loss claims. The department is instructed to gather input from repair shop owners, insurance companies, and consumer advocates before submitting a report with findings and potential legal changes by February 1, 2027.

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.