[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6095420,"mediaKeyId","2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f","parentId",2838171,"title","Civil Service presents FY26 budget, highlights Act 655 skills‑based hiring; Board of Tax Appeals seeks two staff positions","audioSeconds",381,"startMs",8399000,"endMs",8780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f&start=8399&end=8780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f/thumbnail_8399000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6095420/Louisiana/Civil-Service-presents-FY26-budget-highlights-Act-655-skillsbased-hiring-Board-of-Tax-Appeals-seeks-two-staff-positions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095420-14934bb6bfdc3dd02c223b494445c7db/orig.mp4?Expires=1776515105&Signature=FPErOOU0JkbJofDCPiZv6Sv4-KbNtX-jhYS2QwIEPDU6AZZTyq~md8l7ZIfyXQ0qvDSNTXSJ50u~0UrsNG8cHvkzRgr0z9XeYxeFObaV4Tnz1kFp24l7uvRhW9gBcGDzYorbm~uEZURcAkIPNFM1uBGzXrZHlo7HSWlyuwdU3kKUqgeLLGJdPhuDJ5ZFMwchrG6ZsJRUUVbODIlZ1PGBsdGCX~EtfIdCyrWlrh5amVaWhpu~u1ALgNCC5vLAVRbpajTdurKq1tBsEUZQe0-0pFfkzyzMHfxwcu6un3jQHi6xvw1m5XTtyMI4NVRFkdf79M~62-lDYf68N3xFf48x-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","State Civil Service Director Byron Decoteau and Deputy Director Chris Dear presented the agency’s FY26 budget to the House Appropriations Committee on April 1, 2025, describing a $27.1 million recommendation and recent policy work to remove hiring barriers.

Decoteau told the committee that Act 655, effective Jan. 1, 2025, requires agencies not to demand a college degree or more than three years’ experience for state jobs unless legally necessary; Civil Service completed revisions of minimum qualifications and has worked with agencies to broaden applicant pools. The director said the department has also implemented a leadership academy and expanded training through the Comprehensive Public Training Program.

Civil Service said it expects market adjustments for eligible classified employees this fiscal year (a 4 percent or 3 percent adjustment, depending on where an employee falls in a pay range) and that those adjustments are included in the governor’s FY26 budget plan and would take effect July 15, 2025.

The board of tax appeals’ chairman, Francis J. Labrano, asked for two additional T.O. positions, a law clerk (attorney) and an administrative support position, and the board requested $363,000 in related salary and benefits. Committee members asked for a line‑item breakdown (salaries, benefits, travel and other costs) supporting that total and requested the Board of Tax Appeals and State Civil Service return at a follow‑up hearing with detailed justification; the committee scheduled a follow‑up budget appearance.

Civil Service described its primary funding model: agencies with classified employees pay an interagency transfer based on a statutory billing formula (a fraction of average annual classified salary) that supports Civil Service operating costs and training programs. Filia said civil service has 184 authorized T.O. positions and five vacancies as of Dec. 30, 2024.

Lawmakers asked several operational questions about turnaround time for job assessments, special entrance rates, and whether training resources are budgeted; Civil Service staff said many adjustments can be turned around quickly for single agencies, while multi‑agency market adjustments take longer because of funding coordination with the Commissioner of Administration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Louisiana House Appropriations Apr 1, 8:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","State Civil Service described FY26 spending plans, implementation of Act 655 (skills‑based hiring) and market adjustments; the Board of Tax Appeals requested two new staff positions and the committee asked for additional budget detail.","taxTitle","Appropriations, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Louisiana","taxId",20967,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095425,"Wildlife and Fisheries warns of conservation fund shortfall as royalties fall; seeks new revenue paths",588,5107000,5695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f&start=5107&end=5695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f/thumbnail_5107000.jpg","/articles/6095425/Louisiana/Wildlife-and-Fisheries-warns-of-conservation-fund-shortfall-as-royalties-fall-seeks-new-revenue-paths","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095425-860f5515129560303bd2136069bddee9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776515105&Signature=EoYyf6mEC--1exPfzJJQfv0kChoUrW58ZkpPoBhdx89Inwnu6t-FjGlt7I32QMeZ0rlYY3r0V1Bw1MXsZWJiWCVJNGbZJBt7pfmvMgSWa06QXwzAOCfoWpmOMzFe1iFFNPNirfgVaWZfqpn9-8EttIPLyUBb~J1AgBiWgt7j-ooU6jrVWvu0-YbCM6VVjgQTLYHl0Fkhbe90fwzx3bNVBBdadq0iZbZb3N8eJe6VB~LU9VV0h2nsoLF0WiqoVCeB9o49h5vxLvppYE51eyvY3hfV8T4Q-2nQyZvSgEgs6sy2GP~dd9fsODWYQC~ZYy00F0EVn-hawqDpPMRqeDFrsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paige Filia presented the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ FY26 executive budget review to the House Appropriations Committee on April 1, 2025. The department’s recommended budget totals about $199.4 million; statutory dedications were cited at $77.4 million and federal funding at $50.7 million.

Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth and Undersecretary Brian McClendon told the committee the agency has seen a sharp drop in royalties and conservation fund revenue tied to long‑term declines in traditional on‑shore oil and gas production on department lands. McClendon said reductions from major producers and coastal litigation have reduced production on the department’s acreage and that the refuge and several WMAs have sustained significant revenue drops.

The shortfall prompted a means‑of‑finance swap that added $30,000,000 in state general fund support in the FY26 recommendation, Filia said; the department also had to draw a temporary seed from the state treasury to maintain cash flow. Bosworth said the department held spending steady and has sought efficiencies, including a vehicle‑leasing strategy that spreads replacement costs over multiple years rather than buying fleets up front.

Bosworth highlighted partnerships and programs intended to shore up the fund. The department entered a multi‑year agreement with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) for $12,000,000 in artificial reef expansion over four years and described the Outdoor Forever program (initial $10,000,000 allocation, plus later funds) as a successful leveraging effort that brought additional outside investment to projects. Bosworth said the department is exploring federal grant opportunities — including an application to NOAA for additional monitoring vessels and equipment — and has purchased at least one new electrofishing/monitoring vessel using existing conservation funds.

On invasive species and aquatic plant control, the committee discussed salvinia and other targets. Bosworth said fisheries and plant management use boat‑registration and federal Wallop‑Breaux/Dingell‑Johnson funds as key matched sources; the department receives up to $5,000,000 annually via boat registration for aquatic plant work and matches federal grants where possible.

Members asked about derelict‑vessel and houseboat removal funding; Bosworth said a derelict‑vessel fund exists in the state treasury but has no standing annual appropriation and that the department will pursue project‑by‑project spending or legislative appropriations as opportunities arise.

Committee members and the department agreed to follow up on specific district impacts, license sales trends and the department’s longer‑term plan to replace lost royalty income with other revenue and partnership models. No formal votes were taken at the hearing.","Acting Wildlife and Fisheries officials told the Appropriations Committee that declining royalties have reduced the conservation fund balance and the agency is pursuing partnerships, license revenue and federal grants to sustain operations and projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095429,"Appropriations hearing spotlights DEQ budget, waste‑tire backlog and permit modernization plans",509,1575000,2084000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f&start=1575&end=2084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f/thumbnail_1575000.jpg","/articles/6095429/Louisiana/Appropriations-hearing-spotlights-DEQ-budget-wastetire-backlog-and-permit-modernization-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095429-068fe3ad6571d26324d326fd0e9c7b40/orig.mp4?Expires=1776515105&Signature=YnfN77gEOwF2pCaeI1ldjsKZlA3Chc1wjUwdxBCRoklPyJYEU~BgFNWoJ24K1Ueph9SFo8LwFXCJleV92uQvjxffxu~39sJESd1~gGR5C~R4oRPxvr3d6q0w7F0D1~Wfx9BfRwy3-gLGcjeRv1GwG0IubcG2Dvr67g2b8euHSyoNBHHNSFG8yWCijgj0JFBSE5UrzKtmUs9Iz95MXtF3~rBES5IAB5kiW~Pn9d3FyTlE9C2t4MOP~vRleLHK1Kk3NqS81Kmj5IXFEt9h-qexQDYWLv8GpWfJ8pIirGs3Wz6UPx9mRahlmUFj2f3PutVEnwZa07byhMgMwy1gP3o1tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paige Filia briefed the House Appropriations Committee on the Department of Environmental Quality’s FY26 budget on April 1, 2025, and LDEQ leadership answered lawmakers’ questions about waste tires, permitting modernization and staffing.

Filia said DEQ’s recommended FY26 budget totals about $156,200,000. She told the committee that approximately $107,800,000, or roughly 69 percent of that total, is fees and self‑generated revenue; federal funding was cited at about $20,400,000 and state general fund at $13,900,000.

Michelle Barnett of LDEQ’s Office of Management and Finance told the committee the state charges $2.25 per tire; she said revenue from that fee has reached $8,800,000 for the current fiscal year. Barnett also said enforcement spending is about $6,200,000 — roughly 4 percent of the department’s budget — and that the department uses those dollars to fund audits, inspections and enforcement work, including a five‑person criminal division that handles higher‑priority cases.

Lawmakers pressed whether DEQ has the authority and resources to address illegal tire dumping and pulpiles; Barnett and the acting LDEQ leadership said enforcement is split depending on location (DOTD handles tires on state rights‑of‑way; private property requires a complaint or permission to inspect), and that regulatory and funding changes could be needed to increase proactive inspections. Barnett also said the state has four authorized waste‑tire processors and that one proposed permit was being litigated, limiting near‑term expansion of processing capacity.

Members raised employee morale numbers from a legislative auditor survey; in response, LDEQ leadership said turnover and other audit findings must be read alongside operational metrics. The secretary (not named in the transcript) emphasized the department’s focus on “comprehensive environmental health” and cited two executive orders issued by Governor Landry in 2024 that aim to streamline and modernize permitting (EO 24‑17 and EO 24‑166).

On permitting modernization, the secretary said LDEQ operates about 19 separate IT/data systems and has mapped more than 900 process flows for permits and certificates. The department held an innovation summit in July 2024 and said a second summit is scheduled for July 2025; the secretary said a phased public dashboard will show applicants the status of permit phases and processing times.

Lawmakers also asked about legacy tire piles such as the Cottonport site; the secretary said DEQ created a “tiger team” to work with the parish and to remove liens that impeded cleanup and that the department had solicited cost estimates from multiple processors for removal work. The department said it prefers to resolve such problems within state resources where possible before involving federal agencies.

The hearing generated follow‑up requests for a breakdown of enforcement spending on illegal dumping and for the status of specific processor permits and cleanup plans. No formal committee votes were taken.","The House Appropriations Committee questioned the Department of Environmental Quality about waste‑tire revenue, enforcement funding, permitting modernization and employee morale during the FY26 budget review.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095432,"Appropriations panel reviews Energy and Natural Resources FY26 budget, flags IIJA timing and offshore-wind roadmap cuts",349,129000,478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f&start=129&end=478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838171-200e18f4266be1bfecf59c10eee82a1f/thumbnail_129000.jpg","/articles/6095432/Louisiana/Appropriations-panel-reviews-Energy-and-Natural-Resources-FY26-budget-flags-IIJA-timing-and-offshore-wind-roadmap-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095432-dd0f25d819035b32abdb78da7f8d4209/orig.mp4?Expires=1776515105&Signature=GYVAnRrTCGtEkaGJXeFQm3SHUZjiIav8kX2dvNHpodD3QecdGuCACUmj9go6af5RB8nmteVqxglCj8FgqQopYCN47k04j1ZpRw-OwOHHkrzsSNalVteEyzui3yj6NfKJVk5Web-IH-vkV4B7xPtmJ5MA4xqBl2tB9NGr1raRCbfuavNC45FOVYJzuk5DQH2qHbqbvplM7AKrDv9i8wlzwBE38UyBBqeFNCPV9Nsg90UxXfhkfbBCeo3JWTpd-XTK9D8Y~GxwZ52Uaeje2AmQMZ3eQaioC60s~CNBULPjdLdFkUHZhZMGs9RVaksdYbpB7ER~m-bD~yHdJknfR5D3gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paige Filia, a House Fiscal analyst, presented the Department of Energy and Natural Resources’ FY26 budget review to the House Committee on Appropriations on April 1, 2025, outlining sources of funding and recent changes.

The department’s largest funding source is federal money; Filia told the committee federal funds account for the single largest share (she cited $115,500,000), followed by statutory dedications ($48,300,000) and reductions to general fund authority ($10,900,000). Filia said the department will show a net federal funding decrease of about $14,800,000 in FY26 tied to delayed IIJA grants.

Why it matters: federal grants and one‑time receipts have driven recent budget volatility. Committee members pressed the department on how timing and federal priorities affect what the state can spend in FY26 and on which projects remain active.

Deputy Secretary Dustin Davidson said the department is adjusting travel and staffing approaches to control costs. “What we've been able to do is partner with LED,” Davidson said, describing a shift that reduced the need for some travel by coordinating staff assignments with Louisiana Economic Development and by continuing field inspections of remote sites.

Members also questioned professional‑services cuts and project carryforwards. Filia told lawmakers the department expects an overall budget decrease of about 11.3 percent compared with the FY25 existing operating budget; the professional‑services category showed a large reduction driven in part by removal of one‑time funding, including $6,300,000 tied to Salt Cavern collapse response funding and a $10,000,000 reduction in “other charges” because of delayed federal receipts.

On offshore wind, Representative Zareff asked about a $3,200,000 reduction tied to the offshore‑wind roadmap. Secretary Tyler Gray (present at the hearing) and Davidson said the road map effort continues but that some federal activity has slowed; the department described the program as lower priority for immediate funding given long lead times for offshore projects and shifting federal signals, but said planning and meetings continue.

On carbon storage, Representative DeWitt asked about a $2,800,000 reduction to the carbon geologic storage trust fund. Davidson said that the trust fund is paid by fees collected from operators and applicants and that, while the Legislature once front‑funded management, the program now collects fees to sustain activity.

Committee members pressed department officials on vacancy levels (Filia reported 37 vacancies as of Dec. 30, 2024), consolidation efforts and how internal reorganization is intended to improve efficiency before requesting additional funds. Gray said reorganization focused on reducing management layers and reallocating subject‑matter expertise inside the department.

The hearing produced no formal votes. Members and staff agreed to supply follow‑up answers to some line‑item questions requested during Q&A.","The House Appropriations Committee heard the Department of Energy and Natural Resources’ FY26 budget review, noting large federal funding, delayed IIJA grant timing, a reduction tied to the offshore-wind roadmap and clarification that carbon storage trust fees come from operators.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Civil Service presents FY26 budget, highlights Act 655 skills‑based hiring; Board of Tax Appeals seeks two staff positions

Wildlife and Fisheries warns of conservation fund shortfall as royalties fall; seeks new revenue paths

Appropriations hearing spotlights DEQ budget, waste‑tire backlog and permit modernization plans

Appropriations panel reviews Energy and Natural Resources FY26 budget, flags IIJA timing and offshore-wind roadmap cuts