Sen. Jay Morris

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of a Senate resolution regarding the removal of judges for serious offenses like malfeasance or incompetence. The changes involve correcting a spelling error in the word "canons" and adding the preposition "of" to clarify the reference to United States laws. These adjustments do not alter the substantive policy or the process for addressing judicial misconduct but ensure the legislative document is accurate. The bill is currently in the final stages of passage after being referred to a committee and amended.

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 217 increases the number of judges in Orleans Parish's civil district court from 12 to 14, effective January 1, 2027. It reorganizes court divisions by creating four new divisions (K, L, M, N) for the additional judges and abolishing two existing divisions (C and L) by December 31, 2026. The bill also specifies that court expenses, including judge compensation and staff salaries, will be paid from the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund. This change directly affects the court system in New Orleans, including judges, court staff, and individuals using the court for legal matters.

Maddy summarySB 388 prohibits Louisiana state agencies from entering contracts with foreign entities designated as adversaries or terrorist organizations by the U.S. government (e.g., under federal designations like 15 C.F.R. 791.4 or 8 U.S.C. 1189). It grants the governor emergency authority to immediately cancel or suspend such contracts if they pose security risks to Louisiana, requiring consultation with homeland security and legal officials before action. The bill defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "state contract" (covering goods, services, or technology) and allows affected parties to seek court review if they dispute cancellation decisions. This directly affects state agencies entering contracts and foreign entities linked to U.S.-designated threats.

Maddy summarySB 279 updates Louisiana law to allow state-chartered banks and their holding companies to issue shares without physical certificates, using electronic systems like book-entry records. It requires a bank's board of directors to approve this transition via majority vote and clarifies that shareholder rights remain unchanged regardless of certificate status. The bill specifically amends existing statutes (R.S. 6:255, 12:1-625) to apply these provisions to financial institutions, aligning them with modern electronic share management practices. It does not create new financial products or alter shareholder obligations. This procedural change directly affects Louisiana state-chartered banks and their holding companies.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally commends Warren Morris for receiving the 2026 Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award and for his induction into the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class. The legislation recognizes Morris's significant athletic achievements, including his legendary walk-off home run in the 1996 College World Series, his performance on the U.S. Olympic baseball team, and his career in Major League Baseball. By passing this resolution, the Louisiana Legislature acknowledges Morris's long-term contributions to the state's sports reputation and his legacy as a native of Alexandria. The bill concludes by directing that a copy of the resolution be sent to Morris.