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Senate finance panel reviews DEQ budget; secretary highlights waste‑tire cleanup and permitting changes
Summary
Senate Fiscal Services and Department of Environmental Quality presented the agency's FY26 executive budget. DEQ said fees and self‑generated revenue account for most of its funding, Volkswagen settlement disbursements are winding down, and $1.3 million was added for legacy waste‑tire cleanup including work at Cottonport.
The Senate Committee on Finance heard an overview of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's FY26 executive budget and a progress report on legacy waste‑tire sites on May 21. Mark Barnes of Senate Fiscal Services gave the budget briefing, and DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto outlined outreach and cleanup steps the agency is taking.
Barnes said the department's recommended FY26 budget reflects long‑term growth in dedicated funds: "The change from actual to recommended for FY '18 through FY '26 is an increase of 41.9%" and fees and sales generate the majority of DEQ's funding. He told the committee that dedicated revenues make up 69% of the department's budget, with federal funds accounting for roughly 13%.
Giacometto said DEQ is…
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