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Budget committee approves several BA-7s, contract extensions and appropriation clarifications
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Summary
On March 19, 2026 the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved multiple BA-7 budget adjustments, a major federal health grant addition, contract extensions and clarifications to 2025 appropriations in a series of voice approvals with no recorded objections.
The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget on March 19 approved a set of budget adjustments, contract extensions and clarifications to prior appropriations, the committee chair announced.
Colleen Gil of the Office of Planning and Budget told members that the fiscal status statement and the five-year baseline showed "no changes to page 1 or page 2" and that there were "no changes" to the five-year baseline budget. The committee adopted the fiscal status statement by voice vote with no objections.
The committee approved BA‑7 number 1 for the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, adding $500,000 in self-generated fees and $113,413 in federal funds for a total of $613,413 to cover credit-card and merchant fees, grant repository services, Main Street grants and two replacement vehicles, OPP said. Alan Boxberger of the Legislative Fiscal Office recommended approval.
OPP presented BA‑7 number 2 for the Department of Health to increase federal budget authority by $24,389,901 for a rural health transformation program grant to strengthen health care access in rural communities and to add 15 authorized positions. Ramya (OPB) summarized the request and the fiscal office recommended approval. The motion to approve passed with no objection.
OPP also presented BA‑7 number 3 to increase statutory dedications from the Major Events Incentive Fund by $1,000,000 to reimburse the 4 Kids Foundation for eligible costs associated with planning and hosting the Zurich Classic; Helena Janssen said the event "is a qualified major event in accordance with Act 4 46 of the 2025 regular session." The committee approved the request.
The committee approved a requested increase in funding authority for conversion of Building 2033 at Jackson Barracks (see separate article) and reviewed a report of three change orders between $50,000 and $250,000 that required no committee action.
The Office of Risk Management requested a fifth-year extension to its contract with Sedgwick Claims Management Services for $21,111,149; Rachel Dunaway said that amount was contemplated in the 2022 RFP and that the extension completes the fifth contract year. The committee adopted the extension.
The committee approved a one‑year extension and additional funding for four advertising and marketing contracts presented by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and it approved an agreement enabling University of Louisiana at Lafayette to extend a consulting services contract with Ellucian for two years under La. R.S. 39:16.15(J) to continue support for the Banner ERP system.
Chairman Womack also moved and the committee adopted clarifications to a series of appropriations from the 2025 regular session, specifying intended recipients and purposes for several local-government state aid allocations.
The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
