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Committee approves transfer of Cecil J. Picard site to governor’s emergency office for disaster use
Summary
House Bill 218 would transfer management of the Cecil J. Picard Educational and Recreational Center from the Office of Juvenile Justice to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness (GOSEP). Committee members said GOSEP plans to renovate and use the site as an emergency staging and storage facility and report the bill favorably.
The House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs voted April 29 to report House Bill 218 favorably, a measure transferring management of the Cecil J. Picard Educational and Recreational Center from the Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness (GOSEP).
Representative Carrier, the bill’s sponsor, said the transfer would let GOSEP refurbish cabins on the roughly 50‑acre site and use the property for emergency preparedness: staging supplies and housing equipment such as state‑owned campers used after hurricanes. Testimony stated the site has been partially used by OJJ for training and that some cabins were closed by fire marshals; GOSEP told the committee it plans to repair and repurpose portions of the property for disaster response staging and long‑term storage of equipment.
Committee members sought details about current use and impacts on juvenile justice programming. Representative Desotel said OJJ currently uses the cafeteria for trainings and that an existing juvenile facility is located about five miles away; other testimony said construction at the near site would consolidate juvenile programming in the area. The sponsor said GOSEP’s planned improvements included building covered storage to preserve equipment and that a local lease arrangement with the parish exists for other portions of the property (a youth‑sports complex on half the grounds was discussed).
The committee adopted a technical amendment and then, with no objection, reported the bill favorably. Representative Marcel moved the motion to report favorably.
The measure will move forward for further House consideration. The bill does not specify an appropriation in the committee record.
Committee members said the transfer is intended to improve disaster‑response capacity by centralizing equipment and staging in a centrally located state facility.
