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Committee reports SB 79 after LED secretary details $93 billion in recent investment

Louisiana Senate Committee on Commerce · March 18, 2026

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Summary

Senate committee voted to report SB 79 favorably after Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois summarized recent capital investments, job figures and program initiatives and asked for reauthorization to continue LED's restructuring and incentive programs.

The Senate Committee on Commerce reported SB 79 favorably after a presentation by Susan Bourgeois, secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, who asked the committee to reauthorize the department to continue recent programs and initiatives.

"We have been before you a great deal in the 2 and a half years now that I've been in this role," Bourgeois said, listing achievements including roughly $93 billion in announced capital investment since 2024 and a pipeline of 189 projects representing almost 42,000 potential jobs and an estimated $280 billion in potential capital investment.

Bourgeois highlighted recent policy changes and programs the department said were tied to those outcomes: a 2024 restructure (Act 590), follow‑up tweaks (Act 446), the high‑impact jobs incentive program and a $150 million site and infrastructure fund (Act 365 of 2025) intended to support project‑ready sites. She said LED served 26,000 small businesses in 2025 and funneled $50 million to startups through a state opportunity capital program.

Members asked questions about the job counts and methodology. Bourgeois said the department counts announced projects after a letter of intent and signed documents rather than at early feasibility stages to avoid overstating results. Senator Abraham acknowledged the numbers were large and said the 9,100 direct jobs reported for 2025 were a meaningful metric.

The clerk read supporting green cards and informational white cards for LED staff. Senator Abraham moved to report SB 79 favorably; the motion carried with no objection and SB 79 was reported favorably to the next step in the process.