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Senate committee backs moving GOSEP day-to-day operations under the Adjutant General
Summary
The committee reported HB 274 favorably after lawmakers heard from the Adjutant General and GOSEP leadership that day-to-day operations will report to the Louisiana National Guard, with strategic oversight retained by the governor's office and no anticipated operational disruptions this hurricane season.
The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted June 4 to report HB 274 favorably, a bill requested by the governor that restructures the day-to-day reporting relationship of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSEP).
The measure shifts daily operational control of GOSEP to the Adjutant General and the Louisiana National Guard while preserving strategic oversight for the governor's office, supporters said.
"This removes reflects our commitment to efficiency, effectiveness and ensuring our state's emergency preparedness remains at the highest standard," Adjutant General Thomas Freeloo told the committee as he explained that Brig. Gen. Jason Matthews was managing daily operations as interim director. Freeloo said the change will focus his role on strategic oversight such as fiscal review and contracting support.
Brig. Gen. Jason Mafous (transcript: "Mafous") described an assessment that began March 20. He said GOSEP remains committed to its mission during transition; operations and points of contact will remain consistent through the hurricane season. He also reported ongoing exercises, contract reviews, and that 19 disaster declarations remain open, one of which involves roughly $300 million in unfinished public-works work in New Orleans.
"We have nearly completed our staff assessments. The audit reviews are current and ongoing. Contract reviews, renewals and new lines of effort for RFPs continue," Mafous said. He told the committee that, across existing declarations, there are thousands of open projects and a federal obligation totaling roughly $24.7 billion.
Local officials and associations including the Police Jury Association, the Louisiana Sheriff's Association and municipal leaders testified in support, saying improved coordination and logistics capacity under the National Guard could strengthen response and asset tracking.
Lawmakers pressed for clarity about continuity of contact and whether operational changes would be visible to parishes during the hurricane season. Both generals emphasized no major operational changes would occur until after hurricane season and that communication with local governments would continue.
The committee reported the bill favorably on a motion with no recorded objections. Supporters said the transition aims to speed logistics and unify emergency resource management across the state while maintaining transparency and lines of reporting to the Legislature and local partners.
