Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council meeting opened with roll call, approval of the January minutes without changes, and a brief financial update showing the council had a little over $11,000 on hand, with state funding from specialty plate sales continuing at about $3,000 per year. Under old business, the council reconsidered a previously overlooked grant for Robinson’s Rescue and approved sending the organization the $850 it had been due last year. In new business, Jeff Dorson was nominated and approved to serve as the council’s public records liaison. The council also reviewed and accepted standard contest submission rules, with flexibility for the chair to make minor edits before posting them. Dr. Mitchell and Pam proposed matching July 1 through September 30 submission windows for both the pet stamp photo contest and the grant application process, so selections and voting could occur at the October meeting; those dates were approved. The council discussed the website, noting it was outdated and needed improvement. Members agreed to seek proposals and set a reasonable payment range of $500 to $1,000 for website upgrades and maintenance. They also set the next meeting for Wednesday, October 21 at the same time and location, and approved a July 1 through August 30 campaign to sell 136 license plates before opening donations to cover any remaining plates. The meeting adjourned after members agreed to promote the plate drive through social media and flyers.

Summary: The Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council met with Chair Jeff Dorson presiding and approved the prior January minutes without changes. The council reviewed finances, noting a balance of a little over $11,000 and that state funding from specialty plate sales remains about $3,000 annually. Under old business, the council voted to restore an overlooked $850 grant to Robinson’s Rescue from the prior cycle, and the chair said he would send the check within a few days. In new business, Dorson was nominated and approved to serve as the council’s public records liaison. The council also reviewed and accepted standard contest submission rules, with Dorson given flexibility to make minor edits before posting them. Dr. Mitchell and Pam proposed opening both the pet stamp photo contest and the grant application period from July 1 through September 30, with selections and grant votes to occur at the October meeting; the council approved those dates by motion. The council discussed updating its website and agreed to seek proposals for improvements in the $500 to $1,000 range, noting the current site is outdated. The next meeting was set for Wednesday, October 21 at the same time and location. Members also agreed to run a license plate promotion from July 1 through August 30 to help sell the remaining 136 plates, with Holly and the chair’s subcommittee planning flyers and social media outreach. The meeting then adjourned.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee met on Monday, June 22, with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. There was no public comment. The main item was an actuarial update from Ms. Johnson on LASERS, prompted by House Bill 312 of 2026, which appropriated about $145 million to LASERS and required the committee to revise the projected fiscal year 2027 employer contribution rate to reflect the funds received. Ms. Johnson explained that $87.6 million was applied to the original amortization base, paying it off, and the remaining $57.9 million was applied to the experience account amortization base. As a result, the projected aggregate employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2027 was reduced from 32.51% to 30.05%, a decrease of 2.46%, with the projected employer contribution amount revised to about $738.7 million. She also noted that the original amortization base balance would be zero by June 30, 2026, while the experience account amortization base would continue to be paid down over time. Committee members asked about the longer-term impact of the changes, including a question about projected savings in 2036. Ms. Johnson said the later-year savings would depend on future actuarial experience and investment performance, but the projected UAL payment in that year would be lower under the revised schedule. The committee then moved to adopt the revised projected fiscal year 2027 LASERS contribution rate of 30.05% by plan, the motion was seconded, and it passed without opposition. The meeting then adjourned.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met for an information-only hearing with no votes or formal actions. DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD and Deputy Secretary Beau Black outlined the department’s transformation efforts, emphasizing faster project delivery, improved transparency, and use of technology. They reported major reductions in contractor payment processing time, from roughly 35 days to 15 days or less, and change-order approvals from about 40–45 days to around five days. They also described new tools such as inspection tablets, a project delivery dashboard, e-ticketing, a customer service portal, and a pilot using sensor technology on department vehicles to identify potholes and damaged assets. The department said it is reorganizing district staffing, replacing the old area engineer model with district points of contact for construction, maintenance, and operations, without increasing total staff. Members focused heavily on local maintenance concerns, including potholes, drainage, culverts, mowing, overgrown ditches, and utility-related delays. Several legislators asked how to get quicker responses on routine maintenance and how to distinguish state responsibility from local jurisdiction. DOTD said it would meet with district administrators to address specific problems and clarify jurisdiction, and that the new customer service portal should help track complaints electronically. Members also asked about contractor accountability, utility relocations, and public communication on long-running projects; DOTD said it is improving internal KPIs, coordinating more closely with district staff and public information officers, and considering broader public updates beyond the website. The department also reviewed highway planning and funding. Officials said the Highway Priority Program is being reworked into a more fiscally constrained, staged process that starts earlier in concept development and gives legislators and constituents more feedback before the annual road show. They said the department is using new IDIQ contracting authority to bring in outside help for bridge maintenance and other work, and that bridge maintenance backlogs remain significant. DOTD reported that LTIF 1.0 and 2.0 together cover 91 projects statewide totaling more than $534 million, with over 40 complete, and that LTIF 3.0 adds 39 projects and about $165 million. Combined with other funding sources, the department said its upcoming construction program will include 385 projects worth about $1.73 billion. Legislators generally praised the department’s progress but raised concerns about lingering local problems and the need for clearer communication. Questions were also asked about a barge strike on the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge, with DOTD saying divers and staff were inspecting the damage and that emergency repairs would likely be needed. After the DOTD update, the new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, led by Archie Chesson, gave its own update on its first year, describing a small staff, heavy use of consultant and contractor pools, emergency procurement authority, and rapid delivery of rural bridge and roadway projects.

Summary: The committee met for an information-only hearing with no votes or other action items. DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD and Deputy Secretary Beau Black gave an update on the department’s transformation efforts, focusing on faster project delivery, improved construction administration, and new technology. They said monthly contractor payment approvals have been reduced from roughly 35 days to 15 days or less, change orders from about 40-45 days to around five days, and that DOTD delivered 86% of its advertised projects in the last fiscal year. They also described new tools such as Headlight for field inspections, Smart PM for schedule tracking, Hall Hub for e-ticketing and work-zone mapping, and a pilot using advanced sensors on district vehicles to identify potholes, guardrail damage, and other asset issues. The department also outlined a district reorganization that replaces the area engineer model with dedicated district points of contact for construction, maintenance, and operations, with no increase in total staff. Members raised concerns about local maintenance issues, especially mowing, drainage, culverts, potholes, and communication with district offices. Several members asked for clearer coordination on jurisdictional questions, more frequent meetings with district administrators, and better public updates on long-running projects. LaD said DOTD would schedule follow-up meetings, use the coming customer service portal to track complaints, and improve public communication through project information officers, social media, and other outreach. Questions also covered contractor accountability, utility relocations, road transfer maps on the DOTD website, and whether maintenance work adjacent to capital projects should be handled by district crews or through new IDIQ contracts. The secretary also reviewed the Highway Priority Program process, saying DOTD will work between June and September to review projects not included in the prior program, explain why, and refine a five-year fiscally constrained plan before the fall road show. He said the department is using IDIQ authority to award bridge maintenance and other task-order work, and that this should help address a two-year bridge repair backlog. Members discussed whether current funding levels are enough to reduce the statewide backlog, and DOTD said the current program likely maintains rather than eliminates it absent new revenue. The hearing ended with a project-specific update that a barge struck the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge that morning, causing significant damage; DOTD said divers and staff would inspect it and determine emergency repairs. After DOTD’s presentation, Archie Chesson of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction gave a brief update on that office’s first year, describing its use of consultant pools, master service agreements, a public GIS map, and a data tool to prioritize rural road and bridge projects, with several early projects already completed or under construction.

Summary: The Public Retirement Systems Actuarial Committee met on June 22 and approved the minutes from the February 23, 2026 meeting. There was no public comment. The main discussion focused on Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) and how appropriations from House Bill 312 of 2026 affect the system’s actuarial valuation and employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2027. Staff explained that HB 312 provided about $145 million in appropriations to LASERS, with roughly $87.6 million applied to the original amortization base and about $57.9 million applied to the experience account amortization base. As a result, the projected aggregate employer contribution rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 was revised from 32.51% to 30.05%, a reduction of 2.46%, and the required projected employer contribution was updated to about $738.7 million. The presentation also noted that the June 30, 2025 valuation itself did not change, only the projected 2026 rate, and that the original amortization base would be paid off by June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about the longer-term effect of the changes, including a projected 2036 payment reduction. Staff explained that later-year UAL payments would be lower, but that the exact savings would depend on future actuarial experience and investment performance. The committee then adopted the motion to revise the projected fiscal year 2027 LASERS aggregate contribution rate to 30.05%, subject to the appropriation, and later adjourned without opposition.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, established a quorum, and adopted the agenda. Public comment took up most of the meeting, with numerous district defenders and chief defenders speaking in support of State Public Defender Remy Starns. Speakers from several districts said the system is more unified, communication with the state office has improved, and local offices feel better supported than in the past. Several also credited Starns with visiting districts, helping with local issues, and improving coordination on capital and non-capital work. One speaker, Richard Thompson, emphasized Starns’ background and training under Sam Dalton, and another noted that a recent staffing decision in St. John the Baptist Parish ultimately proved beneficial for mentorship and resource sharing. Starns then gave his state public defender report. He said the system has improved over the last seven years and argued that public defense still needs a stable, renewable funding source comparable to other parts of the criminal justice system. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, a law eliminating filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee claims after a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and post-conviction work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and use local and state resources more efficiently. He thanked the board, the Public Defenders Association, and the late Mike Ginnart, whom he praised for his leadership and service. The board then considered and adopted proposed bylaws. Members discussed the need for a vice chair and a secretary, the role of special committees, and whether committee meetings should be public and limited to less than a quorum. The bylaws were adopted with the understanding that a committee would review and refine them later; volunteers were named for that committee. The board then elected a vice chair and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff assistance, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely unchanged from FY25 except for updates to reflect current law, accessibility requirements, training, compliance, and communication goals. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met and was told this would likely be its final meeting because the committee sunsets after the 2026 regular session unless legislation reconstitutes it. Members discussed the need to reduce the committee’s size and adjust quorum rules so it can function more reliably, and they later adopted a motion supporting reconstitution of LADAC with a smaller membership and new appointments effective July 1, 2027. The committee also approved the June 2025 minutes and added a legislative briefing item to the agenda. Under subcommittee and project updates, members heard about the new counter-drone effort tied to House Bill 940 and the “Let’s Go” initiative, which would create a joint task force of State Police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-UAS work. The committee also received a briefing on the state’s advanced air mobility work from newly named Advanced Aeronautics Director Josh Deplanis, including Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s eVTOL/AAM Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and the development of a statewide strategic plan covering airspace integration, vertiport infrastructure, charging networks, economic development, education, and community engagement. Deplanis and members emphasized that Louisiana is among a small number of national EIPP sites and that the state’s proposal is notable for also addressing international airspace and “high seas” operations beyond 12 miles offshore, which could help inform FAA and ICAO policy. Members praised the state’s leadership, the work of DOTD, OMC, GOSEP, State Police, and legislative partners, and noted the potential economic importance for oil and gas logistics and other advanced aviation uses. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the committee’s votes and updates.

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met with a quorum and opened by noting that, under current law, the committee will sunset after the 2026 regular session unless legislation is passed to reconstitute it. Members discussed the need for a smaller, more workable committee structure in the future so quorum requirements would be easier to meet, and they added an agenda item to consider reconstitution and another for a legislative briefing. The June 2025 minutes were approved. Subcommittee reports focused heavily on counter-drone policy and advanced air mobility. Mr. Muley described the new counter-UAS effort, referred to as the “Let’s Go Act,” which would create a joint task force of state police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-drone operations. Members also discussed federal developments in the NDAA and DOJ’s role in authorizing mitigation capabilities for states with laws and training plans. Public safety members reported that training on recently enacted drone laws is underway in north Louisiana. The committee also heard a major update from Josh Deplanis, newly named Louisiana’s first advanced aeronautics director. He outlined Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing/Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and described plans for real-world operations beginning as early as August, centered on Houma-Terrebonne Airport. He also reviewed the state’s broader advanced air mobility strategic plan, including vertiport readiness, charging infrastructure, logistics, workforce training, and community engagement. Members emphasized Louisiana’s opportunity to influence FAA policy and international airspace issues related to operations over the Gulf and beyond 12 nautical miles. In final action, the committee adopted a resolution supporting reconstitution of LADAC, with revised proposed membership language reducing the committee from 15 members to 11 and setting a simple majority of six for quorum, with new appointments effective July 1, 2027. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Bills: HB410, HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HR307, HR273, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR32, HB776, HB42, HB119, HB159, HB302, HB1017, HB1028, SB217, SB283, HB953, SB208, HR74, HB998, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, SB237, HB36, HB74, HB75, HB258, HB259, HB414, HB459, HB784, HB848, HB956, HB1095, HB1220, HB1252, SB469, SB479

Keywords: recording, privacy, notification, direct conversation, law enforcement, first responder, penalties, oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee received the May fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget, which reflected the updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecast. The revised forecast reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million and lowered projected revenues across the five-year baseline, including a drop in FY27 available funds and larger out-year imbalances. The statement was approved without objection. Members then considered several Facility Planning and Control items and approved them without objection: a $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans project to build out space in the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation; a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home warehouse in Jackson; and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Lenoir Law Center addition. The committee also received, for information only, five change orders over $50,000 but under $250,000. The committee approved contract extensions and funding actions for several agencies. Louisiana Economic Development received approval for one-year extensions and increases for marketing contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group. The Department of Education’s contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey was reported favorably after questions about the procurement process and how the contract amount relates to student enrollment. The Sabine River Authority’s $9.5 million operating budget increase and its 2026–2027 budget were approved favorably, with members discussing the planned takeover of Cypress Bend Resort operations. The Department of Health’s HERO Fund round of 15 grant awards, totaling about $4.6 million and projected to create 541 new health care credentials, was also approved favorably. Finally, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were adopted, including an additional $619,850 for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and $1.5 million in emergency subfund assistance for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. The committee also reviewed a cooperative agreement between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and its facilities corporation related to Act 35 projects, and then adjourned.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the April 16 minutes, and then considered several water-system funding and deadline requests. For Magnolia Plantation Water System, members approved a deadline extension for plans and specifications to December 31, 2026, after hearing that the project still needed a test well, water-quality confirmation, and finalization of an LDH loan for matching funds. For St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5, the committee approved an additional $619,850 to cover construction/engineering shortfalls and contingencies, bringing the grant total to $5,192,850 and requiring later JLCB approval. Members also approved revised phase two guidance, which updated emergency subfund language to align with recently passed legislation and clarified eligibility and process for limited fiscal administrators and fiscal administration. The committee then took up an emergency subfund request for Tallulah’s water system: staff explained that a temporary filtration skid must remain in place while permanent filters are designed and bid, and that the lease is expiring soon. After discussion of the timing, the need for a new engineer, and the possibility of a lease-purchase arrangement, the committee approved $1.4 million in emergency funding contingent on appointment of a limited fiscal administrator. Staff reported that the new payment process for the program is now moving funds more quickly and that updated expenditure projections will be provided at the next meeting. Members discussed the need to keep pushing projects toward closeout and acknowledged that some projects may need to be cut off if they cannot spend funds in time. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment on a motion without objection.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met briefly, established a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. The clerk and executive counsel then gave an overview of the committee’s role in setting and administering the House supplemental expense allowance, explaining that members currently receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel in district, and certain communications costs. They also explained the existing carryover rules: unused funds may roll forward up to $3,000 generally and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with any excess remaining in the House budget. Members asked for clarification on how the supplemental interacts with district office rent, mailers, per diem, out-of-state travel, cell phones, internet, and conference expenses, and staff explained which items are currently reimbursable and which are paid directly by the House. Several members raised the idea of expanding allowable uses of the supplemental to help cover lodging costs during session for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, and one member also asked whether the monthly allowance should be increased because of inflation and rising office costs. Staff said lodging would require an amendment to the resolution and that any increase in the allowance would have to be taken up by the next legislative body, not this committee mid-term. Members also discussed possible tax implications and the need to consult a CPA before changing the rules, with concerns raised about avoiding double-dipping or ethical issues if lodging were reimbursed in addition to per diem. One member withdrew the lodging motion and asked that the committee study the issue further. The committee took no substantive action beyond adopting the minutes and adjourned after a motion to adjourn was made and approved without objection.

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, SB78, SB25, SB80, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB250, SB414, SB433, SB479, SB513, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB217, SB283, SB469, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB776, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB208, SB312, SB382, SB389, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB368, HB468, HB552, HB732, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB1117, HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day