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JLCB approves BA‑7 grants, facility projects and change orders; multiple operating budgets accepted
Summary
The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved multiple administrative budget actions, BA‑7 federal grants, facility planning actions and change orders that the administration said are funded within existing project or trust authority.
The committee approved a series of administrative budget actions and facility requests during the hearing, voting on BA‑7 federal grants, facility planning items, change orders and several operating budgets.
BA‑7 approvals: The committee voted to approve three BA‑7 requests presented by OPB and fiscal staff. The Office of the State Fire Marshal received increased federal grant authority to accept an Assistance to Firefighters grant ($434,778.03) and a carbon‑monoxide grant ($37,500). The committee approved a BA‑7 increase of federal funds for a Terrebonne Parish assisted‑outpatient‑treatment (AOT) grant to support three positions and program support. The committee also approved a statutory‑dedication increase allowing New Orleans & Company to receive $3,567,991 carried forward and REC‑recognized revenue to boost tourism marketing.
Facility Planning and Capital items: The committee added one project to the higher‑education deferred maintenance list under Act 751 (higher‑education deferred maintenance fund) and approved creation of an LSU Head House renovation project funded by self‑generated revenues (estimated $5,700,000). Facility Planning recommended, and the committee approved, combining two Office of Juvenile Justice projects at the Judson campus so scope and procurement can be managed as a single project; members discussed that the combined effort supports both immediate repairs and a longer‑term new facility solution. The committee also approved an increase in authority from Southern University Law Center for a law clinic annex ($800,000) using Southern’s funds.
Change orders: The committee approved multiple change orders funded within project budgets: Baton Rouge Community College Allied Health electrical/security work ($565,827), Acadiana Center for Youth emergency generator natural‑gas infrastructure ($120,000), and Turpin Stadium lighting electrical repairs at Northwest State University ($117,392). The committee received a report of change orders between $50,000 and $100,000 for review.
Operating budgets and reports: The committee considered operating budgets for the Teachers’ Retirement System, LASERS, School Employees’ Retirement, and State Police Retirement. The committee approved the Teachers’ Retirement administrative operating budget (about $25.5 million), LASERS’ slight increase, and the state police retirement requested budget; presenters noted administrative operating budgets are funded from trust or internal funds rather than the state general fund. The Deputy Sheriffs supplemental pay board received authority to spend $4,200 in back pay from available funds.
Water Sector and legislative intent clarifications: The Water Sector Commission’s January recommendations to add $4,278,268 in additional funding for four ongoing water and sewer projects (Iberia Parish Sewer District, City of Abbeville, Town of Duson, Town of Haughton) were approved. The committee also approved phase‑2 funding recommendations for 18 projects associated with a $70,000,000 appropriation; facility staff said unobligated funds could cover a small difference above the appropriation and the Water Sector Commission recommended proceeding. Several legislative intent clarifications for local projects were approved as listed in the packet, including clarifications for projects in Beauregard, East Feliciana, West Monroe, Ouachita Parish and the Louisiana Blue Tarp program.
Votes: motion makers and no recorded roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript for most items; the committee approved each motion by unanimous voice vote or without objection after presentation and Legislative Fiscal Office/OPB recommendations.
Why it matters: these approvals clear grant acceptances, capital project authorities, and change orders to keep construction, higher‑education deferred maintenance and water/sewer projects moving. The action items also free operating authority for retirement system administration and small board disbursements.
