Video & Transcript Research : 'Terrebonne Parish'

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LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 10th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm just asking if you would please consider allowing us in Terrebonne Parish to rename the bridge to
  • and the citizens of lower Terrebonne Parish.
  • He's a DeSoto Parish deputy. Then he went to become a postman in the DeSoto Parish.
  • He is now on the DeSoto Parish Zoning Board and active in deaconship at church.
  • It designates the name United States Highway 425 in Franklin Parish.
Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 10 and took up a series of highway and bridge naming bills, beginning with House Bill 346, which redesignates a portion of U.S. Highway 171 as the Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway. The bill was presented with extensive tributes from the sponsor, former colleagues, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry, all praising Salter’s public service, education background, and character. The committee reported HB 346 favorably without objection. Members then heard House Bill 221, which names a proposed Mississippi River bridge connecting LA 1 and LA 30 as the President Donald J. Trump Expressway. The sponsor argued the naming would help draw attention and funding to a long-discussed, toll-free bridge project and described possible financing through development districts and federal programs. Some members questioned the political and practical logic of naming a bridge before it is built, while others supported the concept as a way to advance a needed infrastructure project. The committee adopted a roll-call vote and reported HB 221 favorably by 12-2. The committee also advanced several memorial highway and bridge designations, including HB 356 for the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, HB 149 for Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway, HB 148 for the Eugene Washington Memorial Highway, HB 716 naming the Schaumet Ferry Terminal after Michael C. Ginnart Jr., HB 355 naming Highway 10 in Washington Parish as Veterans Park Memorial Highway, HB 675 naming part of U.S. 425 as the Bill Putt Linder Memorial Highway, HB 657 naming portions of LA 182 for Burrick B.J. Lejeune Jr. and Judge Richard T. Dickey Hike Sr., HB 354 renaming the Magnolia Bridge for Caleb Easterling, HB 358 naming a portion of LA 433 for Charles R. Bordelon Sr., and HB 384 naming part of U.S. 11 as the Dan de Blanc American Hero Memorial Highway. Several bills were amended to add or remove the word “Memorial.” The committee reported the measures favorably, with amendments where applicable, and then voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, HB 360, and HB 401 to a later agenda before adjourning.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 11th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • The crew of Athena is an all-girl, Crown of a Club crew in Jefferson Parish.
  • Ruse for me, tell him we're getting lonesome in Cameron Parish.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 11 with a quorum present and heard a series of specialty license plate bills. Committee members were reminded to turn off cell phones and testimony cards were explained. Several Department of Public Safety and Corrections/Office of Motor Vehicles amendments were adopted across the bills to require OMV to create plates only when statutory conditions are met and its electronic registration system is updated. HB 801 by Rep. Rhett Martinez created a classic black specialty license plate, with revenue directed to state police high-speed pursuit training. Members discussed the bill’s connection to a fatal high-speed chase in Martinez’s district and the need for better training and technology for law enforcement. The committee adopted amendments, including a change from “holding” to Zachary, and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 891 by Rep. Jacob Landry created wildlife/conservation specialty plates and adjusted revenue distribution to support Quail Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conservation fund. Testimony from Ducks Unlimited and Quail Forever emphasized habitat work, fundraising leverage, and conservation partnerships; the bill was reported with amendments after some questioning about waterfowl management and habitat projects. HB 587 by Rep. Dickerson created a PANS/PANDAS specialty plate to raise awareness and return money to the general fund. The bill was supported by testimony from Caitlin Jafreda, who described her daughter’s sudden onset illness, the difficulty of diagnosis, and how insurance coverage for IVIG treatment had recently helped another family. The committee also heard HB 331 by Rep. Mack for a Louisiana GOP specialty plate, HB 629 by Rep. Lyons for the Crew of Athena, and HB 428 by Rep. Baham for an LSU baseball national champions plate recognizing the 2023 and 2025 College World Series teams. All were amended and reported favorably. Rep. Walters voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, and HB 854, and the committee adjourned after Rep. Broussard moved to adjourn.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Mar 24th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Parish.
  • It's located in the Ponachet area of Terrebonne Parish.
  • This is a direct request from our superintendent in Livingston Parish Schools.
  • Those authorized by the Orleans Parish School Board are permitted to be their own LEA.
  • Outside of Orleans, EBR, Jefferson Parish, and Caddo Parish are all locally authorized. All right.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 27th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as Senator Fessi said, when we got in office in the summer, we had the issues in Terrebonne Parish
  • Parish, as the Elwood T.
  • We've had that happen here in East Baton Rouge Parish.
  • He was... ...superintendent, Sabine Parish. Then he got into politics.
  • Members, that's exactly what the bill does for Highway 17 in Franklin Parish.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills and one House concurrent resolution, most of them related to transportation infrastructure, memorial highway designations, and prestige license plates. Early action centered on Senate Bill 122, which would direct the Department of Transportation and Development to be more proactive about bridge maintenance, inspection, reporting, and public meetings on bridge conditions; the committee adopted a large amendment package before reporting the bill with amendments. The committee also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon and SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver’s license privileges compared with neighboring states. Several bills designated memorial highways or bridges, including SB 50 for the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, SB 70 for the Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 460 for the Hayden Lane Mangum Memorial Highway, SB 101 for the Daniel Edward Didillo Memorial Highway and Bill Blue Evans Memorial Highway, SB 160 for the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 for the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 103 for the Gladys Edwards Highway, SB 159 for the Surgeon Roelio Roy Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 182 for the Mayor Billy Cobb Memorial Highway, SB 104 for the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 for the Falcons Band Highway. The committee also approved SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law and SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige plate. One of the more substantive policy items was HCR 63, which creates a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel without civilian driver’s licenses should be allowed to operate federally owned vehicles on state highways; it was reported favorably after discussion of military training and licensing differences. Another major item was HCR 69, urging DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish; the committee adopted amendments adding findings about flooding, drainage, and evacuation concerns, and then reported the resolution with amendments. The committee also considered SB 19 on the state employee retired prestige plate; after objections about whether proceeds should continue supporting LASERS, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote, 13-1, with Representative Schamberhorn voting no.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Apr 21st, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • In Terrebonne Parish, we don't have a single charter school.
  • Parish.
  • You know, you'd have to go parish by parish election by election.
  • You know, you'd have to go parish by parish election.
  • But, you know, you'd have to go parish by parish election by election.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 11th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • The amendments simply replace the Department of Transportation and Development with the parish governing
  • What we're hoping to do with these amendments, I just got off the phone with my parish president in my
Summary: The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then took up Senate Bill 56 concerning the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District and its possible transfer into the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West. Amendment Set 5327 was adopted to add a compliance officer with specified qualifications, described as a checks-and-balances measure separating that role from the chief of police. Testimony in support emphasized the district’s limited recurring revenues, the need for professional management, and the West Bank authority’s ability to provide administrative and operational support. A witness for affected landowners raised concerns about unpaid takings claims and urged amendments to preserve liability and avoid litigation, but the committee ultimately reported SB 56 favorably with amendments. The committee then received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Laude on the department’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing operations and maintenance, construction process improvements, faster contractor payment times, quicker change-order approvals, and improved project delivery rates. After that, the committee reported favorably Senate Bill 171, which makes cleanup changes to the new water resources authority, and Senate Bill 252, which updates driver’s license organ-donor authorization to record both yes and no choices. Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic titles and vehicle registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, support electronic lien and title transactions, and set standards for secure digital titles; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would have created a Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission, was converted into a substitute bill creating a Louisiana Vehicle Commission and consolidating the existing new and used vehicle commissions. After discussion of implementation, governance, funding, and employee-transition concerns, the committee adopted the substitute amendments and then deferred the bill. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate, was amended to add designated state officials for a related special plate request tied to security and parking around the Supreme Court in New Orleans, and it was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, as amended, urged safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident; the amendment shifted responsibility from DOTD to surrounding parish governing authorities, and the resolution was reported with amendments before the committee adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Municipal May 7th, 2026

Municipal

Transcript Highlights:
  • over 300,000, it should be a problem in a parish under 30,000, you know?
  • over 300,000, it should be a problem in a parish under 30,000, you know?
  • So Jefferson Parish is asking to be added to that privilege.
  • Coupee Parish, as they're dealing with trying to...
  • And she waves, and Danny Garrett also with Pointe Coupee Parish and Meg Bankston with Parish Presidents
Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Municipal May 7th, 2026

Municipal

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm not going to... ...problem in a parish under 30,000, you know?
  • So Jefferson Parish is asking to be added to that privilege.
  • Coupee Parish, as they're dealing with trying to...
  • And she waves, and Danny Garrett, also with Pointe Coupee Parish, and Meg Bankston with Parish Presidents
  • And she waves, and Danny Garrett also with Point Capay Parish and Meg Bankston with Parish Presidents
Summary: The committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 7, 2026 and approved the prior meeting minutes before taking up a series of local bills. Early action included HB 362, creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish, which was reported favorably. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew discussion about how long an entity must be out of compliance and whether notice should be required; the committee adopted an amendment changing the threshold to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would shift more authority over the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to the Orleans Parish City Council. Supporters, including Representative Hilfriddy and Council President J.P. Morrell, argued the current structure is dysfunctional and unresponsive, and that local elected officials need authority to act more quickly. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified without taking a position on the bill itself but urged a formal transition plan or study committee so the city would have a clear governance path. Despite that concern, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying asset ownership and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills. SB 348, allowing local law enforcement to contract for administrative support related to motor vehicle enforcement, was reported favorably. SB 444, granting St. George expropriation authority for certain public infrastructure projects, was also reported favorably. SB 485, concerning the city’s authority over insurance premium taxes, initially had amendments adopted but was then reconsidered; the amendments were stripped and the bill was reported favorably in its original form. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete annual continuing education, was amended to clarify approved training and then reported favorably. Other measures reported favorably included HB 990 on Jefferson Parish master water meters, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish tax rebates tied to a data center project, HB 664 raising the maximum fine for parish ordinance violations, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief position in Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil service pay-plan restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 allowing a fee increase for the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention District, HB 368 increasing fines for improper demolition of historic properties in New Orleans, and HB 441 returning New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees to city civil service. The committee adjourned after reporting the bills.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 13th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • The City of Bossier, Caddo Parish Commission, and the Bossier Parish Police Jury.
  • and Bossier Parish.
  • Mary Parish.
  • Mary Parish, our airport is managed and operated by the parish government.
  • Bernard Parishes.
Summary: The committee heard several transportation and aviation measures. HB 1175, by Rep. Turner, updated aeronautics-related definitions and was reported favorably without objection. HB 655, by Rep. Brough, authorized DOTD to use cost-plus contracts for operation and maintenance of state ferry systems, with Secretary Glenn LaDay explaining it was intended to give DOTD flexibility for possible privatization or contracting of ferries such as Cameron; it was also reported favorably. HB 1037, by Chairman Borek, shifted certain DOTD operational responsibilities to a chief operating officer and was reported favorably, and HB 1174, also by Chairman Borek, recreated DOTD and was reported favorably as a cleanup measure. HB 714 and HB 502 were voluntarily deferred. The committee then considered several port-related bills. HB 871, by Rep. Carver, would have added two St. Tammany Parish appointees to the Port of New Orleans board, but the author asked to voluntarily defer it, saying the timing was premature given ongoing work on the Louisiana International Terminal and related access projects. HB 345, by Rep. McMakin, expanded the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure at ports and was reported favorably. HB 713, by Rep. McCormick, would cap the Caddo-Bossier Port executive director’s compensation at the statewide average of the top ten port directors; after extensive debate and testimony from the port, the Port Association, and Caddo Parish opposing the bill, the committee voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer it. HB 667, also by Rep. McCormick, would change Caddo-Bossier Port commissioners from appointed to elected; witnesses argued it would politicize the board, create election costs, and conflict with the port’s current structure, and the committee again voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer the bill. The committee also advanced local infrastructure and flood-protection measures. HB 743, by Rep. St. Blanc, creating the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish, was reported favorably after testimony that the district would help the parish manage the airport as an economic development asset. HB 836, by Rep. Hilferty, would reconfirm members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East by Senate confirmation; after concerns that the original August 1 date could interfere with hurricane-season operations, the committee adopted an amendment moving the reconfirmation date to December 1, 2026, and then reported the bill favorably by substitute. Finally, HB 730, by Rep. Cruz, was presented to prohibit the use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data to assess taxes or fees on aircraft owners, with an amendment narrowing the bill to smaller aircraft; the discussion continued into questions about enforcement and exemptions for carrier airports.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 16th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Every other parish has one.
  • What parish is that? Washington. Senator Morris? Monroe, Louisiana. What parish is that?
  • a... ...all the cities consolidated into one parish government with a parish president, like he’s Baton
  • I think the senator from Monroe should mind his own parish. Let us mind Orleans Parish.
  • And in Orleans Parish, they're one of the parishes that the process is different.
Bills: SB256
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 16th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Every other parish has one.
  • What parish is that? Washaw. Senator Morris? Monroe, Louisiana. What parish is that? Washington.
  • All the cities consolidated into one parish government with a parish president, like Baton Rouge or maybe
  • I think the senator from Monroe should mind his own parish. Let us mind Orleans Parish.
  • And in Orleans Parish, they're one of the parishes that the process is different.
Bills: SB256
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 9th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Morehouse Parish.
  • Ouachita Parish and Morehouse Parish. If you see in the handout, it's a...
  • Morehouse Parish doesn't have the tax base to really support what's needed, and the Ouachita Parish Police
  • All parishes seem to be different.
  • What does East Baton Rouge Parish do?
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Mar 19th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bernard Parish.
  • Bernard Parish, no. Within the bounds of the parish itself.
  • Charles, Plaquemines Parish, Jefferson Parish, and Orleans Parish.
  • This would be parish by parish. This is not in this bill. This would be a parish-by-parish basis.
  • I think maybe the Police Jury Association, who's also charged with parish oversight, parish-to-parish
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Apr 14th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • In Terrebonne Parish, we actually don't close the floodgates. Our floodgates are barge gates.
  • And as you know, the west side of Terrebonne Parish has been really, really in good shape.
  • Parish.
  • As far as fresh water, as you know, in Terrebonne Parish, when I was parish president, I built 2,000
  • We got together, and of course it was in LaFouche-Parish Parish.
Keywords: 965, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Mar 25th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've had so many times in Terrebonne Parish where there's been a balloon release and it's hit the power
  • We've had so many times in Terrebonne Parish where there's been a balloon release and it's hit the power
  • Bernard, not Terrebonne or Lafourche or Plaquemines or, you know, all these other parishes that have
  • Bernard, not Terrebonne or Lafourche or Plaquemines or, you know, all these other parishes that have
  • I have oyster leases from Terrebonne Parish to St. Bernard Parish.
Keywords: 965, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 25th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Martin Parish on August 14, 2022. Someone who made... St.
  • Where does your parish house juvenile offenders?
  • Yeah, so if everyone gets out and there's only one, two parishes left, the cost for those parishes is
  • Lafouche Parish last year.
  • My name is Norma DuBois, and I am the chief of the parish court unit for the Jefferson Parish District
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Terrebonne Land Bridge, something the chairman of this committee or our office, and we've...
  • We have the Terrebonne levee system. ...to St. Mary.
  • I want to thank all the parish presidents, the levee boards, the ports.
  • In 2017, we actually called out parishes on there.
  • In 2017, we actually called out parishes on there.
Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met to consider House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal year 2026-27. CPRA officials Michael Hare and Gordon Dove presented the plan, describing about $1.54 billion in proposed spending authority, a three-year outlook near $1 billion annually, and a portfolio of 143 projects focused largely on construction and implementation. They highlighted major work in multiple regions, including marsh creation, shoreline protection, levees, land bridges, barrier island restoration, the Birdsfoot Delta, Grand Isle, and the Barataria and Terrebonne basins, and said the plan is intended to restore roughly 12,000 acres and support coastal jobs and labor income. A major portion of the discussion focused on non-structural flood protection, especially home elevations and related measures being pursued with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Representative Sauer questioned whether this approach represented mission creep and whether CPRA and the state should be responsible for such programs. CPRA staff responded that non-structural measures have been contemplated in the master plan, but are now treated more programmatically and at a local level; they said the state is already involved as a non-federal sponsor in many projects and has used CPRA, HUD, and FEMA funding to help offset costs. Members also discussed the scale of the program and the need to determine which agencies should lead it. Chairman Dove emphasized that the coastal program is moving forward through regional, multi-parish projects and praised cooperation among parish leaders, levee boards, ports, state officials, and federal partners. He also stated that the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion is fully defunded, its permit and coastal use authorization have been terminated, and related contracts have been settled or are still being resolved in court. Members asked follow-up questions about the diversion settlement, project tracking, and the status of expropriation-related litigation tied to the canceled project. No vote on HR 1 was recorded in the portion provided.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Municipal May 20th, 2026

Municipal

Transcript Highlights:
  • force like what Representative Billings is, and obviously we're not trying to interfere with the parish
  • This is a normal collection that would, in its normalcy, it was from East Baton Rouge Parish and the
Bills: SB348, SB444, SB485
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Apr 8th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • A big issue that we see off the coast of Terrebonne Parish with the menhaden is they tend to get closer
  • The very western part of Terrebonne Parish is reduced to a half mile.
  • And then about the midway point of Terrebonne Parish, we go to the half mile.
  • Terrebonne Parish. So we're kind of right in the middle of Terrebonne Parish.
  • So then we go to the eastern portion of Terrebonne Parish. We're staying at a half mile.
Keywords: 965, house, all
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We obviously have some issues in our parish and Terrebonne regarding the oil spill, and there's been
  • It's just a problem all over the state, and it's a significant problem in Terrebonne Parish.
  • We've got houseboats that have been abandoned in Terrebonne Parish that have been there for years.
  • Definitely it's something that is not unique to Terrebonne Parish.
  • And so there are mechanisms, and I believe Terrebonne Parish had a million-dollar grant that they had
Summary: The committee first adopted the 2025 minutes, then took up House Bill 727, which would allow burning untreated, unpainted dimensional lumber such as two-by-fours. The bill was presented as a narrow exemption to existing restrictions on burning construction debris, and it was reported favorable without objection. Members then heard from DEQ Secretary Courtney Burdett on House Bill 697, the department’s sunset/recreation bill. She outlined DEQ’s work on permit modernization, interagency coordination, field inspections, spill response, criminal investigations, environmental education, and small business assistance. Members raised issues including a large waste-tire site, an oil spill response, and a stormwater discharge issue at Smitties. The committee praised DEQ’s responsiveness and reported the bill favorable without objection. House Bill 758, dealing with DEQ fees, was then considered. The bill and amendment package would update and increase various permit and program fees, add annual or biennial CPI-based adjustments, and remove outdated provisions, with the stated goal of aligning revenues with expenditures and reducing reliance on the state general fund. Several industry and landowner groups supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorable. The committee also advanced House Bill 726, which increases penalties for abandoning vessels and related gross littering. Members discussed how abandoned boats are identified, owner notice procedures, registration versus title issues, hurricane-related losses, and protections for older or distressed owners. Wildlife and Fisheries said the bill targets intentional dumping and that existing law allows case-by-case discretion for true hardship situations. The bill was reported favorable. House Bill 756, concerning personal watercraft, was also reported favorable after testimony that it would require reasonable suspicion for vessel stops, align state rules more closely with federal boating safety standards, and update provisions on accident reporting and inflatable PFDs. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 767, which creates recreational alligator hunting license and lottery fees contingent on separate legislation authorizing the season. Supporters said the measure would help create a recreational opportunity while generating conservation funding, but landowners and commercial harvesters warned the fee may be too low, the proposal may be moving too quickly, and recreational harvest could affect commercial operations and landowner interests. After extensive discussion, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorable. House Bill 964, authorizing a state property transfer in Caddo Parish, was also reported favorable, and the meeting adjourned.