Committee advances bill requiring state agencies to report legal‑status data using SAVE database

Senator Miguez presented Senate Bill 100, which she described as the "State Service and Benefits Legal Status and Accountability Act." She told the House Committee on Appropriations the bill would codify Governor Jeff Landry’s Executive Order JML 2405 and require state agencies to verify legal citizenship using the federal SAVE online database and to produce an annual report, posted publicly and delivered to the legislature 1 week before the regular session.

Senator Miguez said the statutory vehicle would require agencies that handle major service volumes — such as the Department of Health and Department of Education — to publish information so the legislature and the public can "use this information to make decisions based on appropriations." She said the bill would make the data public on a website.

The committee accepted a motion by Representative DeWitt to report the bill favorable; "seeing no objections," the committee reported Senate Bill 100 favorable. Committee staff noted there were cards for and against the bill: Larry Freeman from the Attorney General’s office appeared in support and Juan Moller with Invest in Louisiana indicated opposition but was "present willing to provide information."

The bill now moves to floor consideration. Sponsors and the committee said the bill’s implementation timing is tied to agency reporting capability and the legislative appropriations calendar.