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Committee approves increase in parish councils on aging allocations; lawmakers emphasize meals and waiting lists
Summary
The committee passed House Bill 126 to raise annual minimum funding and per‑senior allocations for parish councils on aging; sponsors and providers said the change would add about $3.7 million statewide to preserve or expand meal programs for seniors.
The House Committee on Appropriations voted to pass House Bill 126, which would change the funding formula for parish councils on aging and increase annual allocations from the Office of Elderly Affairs.
Representative Lyons, sponsor of the bill, said the measure raises the per‑senior state allocation and raises councils’ base funding to help councils keep pace with rising costs for food, rent, audits and insurance. “Presently, I have a waiting list in Jefferson Parish of 400 people,” Albert Robichaud, executive director of the Jefferson Council on Aging, told the committee. He said the council’s average meal recipient is over age 82 and food‑service costs have increased.
Robichaud described the current per‑senior state contribution and the minimum council allocation under present law, and testified the amendment would raise the per‑senior amount from $2.50 to $4 and increase the minimum council allocation so smaller and rural councils see a meaningful boost. Committee testimony estimated the measure would cost about $3.7 million annually statewide.
Several committee members praised the bill’s bipartisan support and emphasized how councils provide not just meals but social contacts, in‑home services and transportation. “For some of those folks, that Meals on Wheels delivery is the only contact they’re really having with people all week,” Representative Freiburg said after describing her time visiting parish programs.
Representative Fisher offered a technical amendment making the bill subject to appropriation; the committee also adopted a standard appropriation‑subject amendment. Members expressed a desire to work with the Senate to secure funding before adjournment.
The committee reported House Bill 126 favorably with amendment.
