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Panel advances 'Louisiana Works' plan to consolidate safety‑net programs; lawmakers press for fiscal detail
Summary
The House Appropriations Committee voted to report House Bill 6 24 favorably, advancing a major reorganization that would consolidate SNAP, workforce and other eligibility services under a renamed "Louisiana Works."
The House Appropriations Committee voted to report House Bill 6 24 favorably after hearing hours of testimony about a multi‑agency plan to consolidate eligibility, workforce and support programs into a unified system — rebranding the Louisiana Workforce Commission as “Louisiana Works.”
Sponsor Representative Stephanie Barrue said the measure aims to create a single intake and a single case manager so families can get cash, food and workforce services through one door rather than repeatedly filing similar paperwork with separate agencies. "This is not a new plan. This is not something that we created overnight," she told the committee, citing a multi‑agency task force and site visits to Utah, which has pursued similar integration.
Under the amendment adopted in committee, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility processing will transfer to the Department of Health (LDH) beginning October 2025; certain disability‑determination functions also were shifted to LDH while Louisiana Rehabilitation Services remains with the workforce side. Sponsors said the division of labor will reduce duplicate eligibility work that currently exists at multiple agencies.
Secretary Susie Schowen of the Louisiana Workforce Commission described an operational division in which LDH will perform back‑end eligibility and benefits processing while Louisiana Works focuses on people‑facing case management and employment services.
The bill drew pointed questions about staff transitions and potential funding offsets. Committee members pressed whether current personnel will be laid off or whether functions can be reallocated by attrition. Rep. Bagley raised a fiscal concern: staff at the Department of Children and Family Services warned of possible federal funding impacts that could require additional state dollars in a later budget year; the committee was told a $12.2 million risk had been identified for fiscal 2028 if administrative‑to‑program ratios shift unfavorably.
Opponents including policy and advocacy groups also raised concerns. A speaker representing Invest in Louisiana said the plan risks expanding work requirements and could harm vulnerable families unless implementation details and safeguards are specified. Supporters said companion bills will focus department definitions and child welfare improvements; sponsors said no cuts are intended for core family services.
Committee members voted to advance the bill with the amendment; the panel’s action sends the consolidation plan onward but appropriators and agency officials will continue to refine fiscal estimates and staffing plans.
