Louisiana Legislative Budget Committee approves standstill budgets for House and Senate

The Louisiana Senate Legislative Budgetary Control Council convened on April 22, 2025, to discuss the budgets for various legislative offices. The meeting began with a roll call confirming a quorum, followed by the approval of minutes from the previous meeting.

The primary focus was on the budget requests from the House of Representatives and the Senate, both of which submitted standstill budgets, requesting the same funding as the previous year. Erin Barrett, the controller for the House, confirmed a request of $32.9 million, while J.W. Wiley, representing the Senate, echoed this request.

The Legislative Auditor, Mike Wagensbeck, also presented a flat budget request of $15.295 million, emphasizing the use of existing fund balances to cover merit increases for staff. The Law Institute, represented by Guy Holdridge, stated they would not seek additional funds but noted potential future needs related to a possible constitutional convention.

The Legislative Fiscal Office proposed a budget increase of $350,000 to expand its revenue and economic section, addressing staffing shortages and the need for continuity in operations following recent retirements. This increase aims to bolster the office's capacity to manage fiscal responsibilities effectively.

The meeting concluded with motions to adopt the budgets presented, which passed without objection, followed by a motion to adjourn. The discussions highlighted a commitment to maintaining current funding levels while addressing staffing needs in key legislative offices.