Sen. Gary Carter

Maddy summaryHB 59 requires East Baton Rouge Parish and its cities to fund specific expenses for the 19th Judicial District Court's public defender office, which serves people who cannot afford legal representation. The bill mandates that local governments cover salaries for staff (including public defenders, clerks, and investigators) and operational costs like supplies, travel, and equipment. Funding responsibility is shared proportionally between the parish and individual cities, as determined by their governing authorities. This complements existing state funding and directly affects the office's ability to provide indigent defense services in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Dr. Lawrence Dewayne Hardy for his spiritual leadership, guidance, and prayers provided to legislators during the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The bill directly affects Dr. Hardy, the senior pastor and founder of Theo House of Judah Ministries in Baton Rouge, by formally recognizing his contributions and expressing gratitude for his service to the state. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of his role in supporting lawmakers throughout the legislative session.

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 summarySenate Resolution 171 is a non-binding resolution that formally expresses condolences to the family and friends of Troy Carter, the general manager of the Chicken Shack restaurant in Baton Rouge. The bill acknowledges Carter's life and his unique role in sharing inspirational messages with customers for over 17 years, noting his impact on the community and the restaurant staff. This measure serves as an official gesture of respect and appreciation from the Louisiana Senate rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the Department of Transportation and Development to review its public-private partnership contracting practices. The review will specifically compare the Belle Chasse Toll Bridge project with other current or future similar projects to identify differences and improvements. The department is required to examine various factors such as contract terms, financial assumptions, project oversight, and community impact before submitting a report to state legislative committees by February 1, 2027. This action aims to incorporate lessons learned from the Belle Chasse project into future infrastructure agreements.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 184 formally commends and congratulates Foster L. Campbell Jr. on completing fifty years of continuous elected service in Louisiana as a state senator and Public Service Commissioner. This procedural resolution honors his long career, which includes authoring significant legislation on rural electric cooperatives, consumer protection, and education funding, as well as his leadership in reforming the Public Service Commission. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official recognition of his contributions to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are created during the legislative session. The review will compare the state's current process with similar systems used in other states to identify potential improvements. It also requires the auditor to examine the data and information used in these fiscal notes. The changes aim to enhance the evaluation of the legislative fiscal office's work without altering the underlying budgeting laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural resolution that asks the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice to provide a progress report on Act 426. The report must be submitted to the Senate Committee on Judiciary B by September 1, 2026, and should cover actions taken, challenges faced, future timelines, and recommendations for improving implementation. Act 426 itself requires the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to create policies for mandatory reporting when officers use force under specific conditions. This resolution does not change laws but ensures oversight by tracking how well the state is following the requirements set in Act 426.

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 summaryHB 1239 updates Louisiana's child custody laws to establish a general preference for equal physical custody sharing between parents. The bill requires courts to order equal time with both parents unless they determine that such an arrangement is not feasible or would not serve the child's best interests. This change directly affects families involved in custody disputes by setting a new standard that prioritizes shared parenting arrangements over the previous default.