Appropriations committee hears department request for wildfire equipment, mechanics and seafood testing funding

The House Appropriations Committee heard from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry on March 31 as department officials reviewed the FY26 executive budget and identified priorities including wildfire equipment, additional mechanics and seafood testing.

The department said its FY26 recommended budget is about $95.9 million, financed largely by statutory dedications and state general fund. Paige Filia of House Fiscal presented the review and Commissioner Mike Strang, Louisiana commissioner of agriculture and forestry, answered members’ questions about wildfire response, fleet maintenance, salt-and-water conservation reimbursements and seafood monitoring.

Why it matters: Department leaders said aging heavy equipment and limited mechanic capacity increase operational risk during intense wildfire seasons. The commissioner also flagged a three‑month federal reimbursement delay for soil and water conservation work that, he said, threatens operations in local conservation districts.

Commissioner Mike Strang described a recurring request for capital to maintain readiness: "In the budget we will be asking for an additional $5,000,000 for fire suppression equipment and the goal is to…