State Rep. Dixon McMakin says Louisiana lawmakers are moving from routine legislation into the more controversial part of the session, with major proposals now taking center stage.
Court system reform in New Orleans
One of McMakin’s biggest pushes is House Bill 911, which would reform the Orleans Parish court system. He said the system stands apart from every other judicial district in Louisiana because it still operates with two clerks, two districts and state funding support that other districts do not receive.
McMakin argued the current structure no longer matches the state’s needs. He pointed to filing data and said Orleans no longer requires more judges than any other judicial district. He framed the bill as an effort to bring New Orleans back in line with the rest of the state.
HOA bill targets accountability
McMakin is also working on legislation aimed at homeowners associations. He said the goal is not to eliminate HOAs, but to place stronger guardrails around how they operate.
The proposal would require more transparency and clearer notice before HOAs take action against homeowners. McMakin said residents have raised concerns about poor communication, lack of proof and inconsistent enforcement. He indicated the bill will likely be narrowed, but said he expects homeowners living in HOA neighborhoods to support the final version.
Constitutional convention bill still alive
McMakin also voiced confidence in House Bill 4, which would begin the process of setting up a constitutional convention. He said Louisiana’s constitution is now 50 years old and has been amended roughly 200 times, making it too cluttered to function effectively.
If approved, the measure would begin a multi-year process that could eventually send a rewritten constitution to voters. McMakin said he expects the bill to move through committee soon as lawmakers continue debating what he called “bold, positive change” for Louisiana.