JLCB re-adopts clarifications of legislative intent and approves additional water-sector funding adjustments
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Summary
The committee re-adopted clarifications to prior appropriations (legislative intent items) and approved Water Sector Commission recommendations for additional sewer funding to Lafayette and New Roads projects.
The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget re-adopted clarifying statements of legislative intent for multiple line items and approved Water Sector Commission recommendations for additional funding on two sewer projects.
Representative McFarland asked the committee to clarify legislative intent for multiple appropriations in Acts 776 (2024) and 461 (2025), redirecting or clarifying recipients for sums to towns, recreation districts and foundations (for example, clarifying that $30,000 to the town of Hesmer was intended for subsurface utility locating equipment and municipal utility O&M equipment). The committee voted to approve McFarland’s clarifications as submitted.
Senator Edmonds presented Water Sector Commission recommendations from the September 17 meeting asking for additional funding on two ongoing sewer projects that exceed the 5% adjustment threshold requiring JLCB approval. The commission recommended:
- Lafayette utility system sewer project: additional $965,332 in water sector funds (a 73.42% increase over the original grant award); - City of New Roads sewer project: additional $111,052 in water sector funds (a 12.16% increase over the original grant award when combined with previous approvals).
Senator Edmonds moved approval of the water-sector adjustments; the committee approved the recommendations.
Ending: The committee re-adopted intent clarifications and approved the Water Sector Commission’s additional funding for the Lafayette and New Roads sewer projects. Members noted the REC and JLCB thresholds that require committee approval for grant increases above 5 percent of original awards.
