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Appropriations committee advances a package of bills on crime, corrections, manufacturing and digital IDs

House Committee on Appropriations · April 7, 2026

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Summary

On April 7 the House Appropriations Committee reported a group of bills favorable: enhanced penalties for repeat DWI offenders (HB 82), support for wood pellet and brick manufacturing (HB 670, HB 672), higher per‑diem alignment for local jails (HB 143), electronic credential expansion (HB 874), increased strangulation penalties (HB 160) and other bills; most passed by voice consent.

The Louisiana House Appropriations Committee on April 7 advanced a package of bills covering criminal penalties, workforce development, corrections and administrative updates.

Key actions reported favorable by the committee:

- HB 82 (Chairman Villio): Enhances penalties for repeat DWI offenders who previously were convicted of serious impaired‑driving crimes. Committee adopted several technical and conforming amendments provided by criminal justice staff and passed the bill favorably (sponsor argued the fiscal note underestimates local custody costs).

- HB 670 (Rep. Owens): Broadens wood pellet manufacturing language to include biomass from forest/agricultural residues and storm damage, with amendments adopted and the bill reported favorable.

- HB 672 (Rep. Owens): Supports brick manufacturing expansion to take advantage of in‑state clay resources; committee adopted the bill favorable.

- HB 143 (Chairman Bakalov): Aligns statutory per‑diem rates paid to sheriffs for housing state inmates with current appropriations; sheriffs’ representatives urged statutory alignment and the committee reported the bill favorable.

- HB 874 (Rep. Murray): Allows selected IDs (e.g., LHSAA referees, optional bar cards, and potentially campus IDs) to be added to LA Wallet if institutions choose to participate; reported favorable.

- HB 160 (Rep. Knox): Raises maximum penalties for strangulation in domestic violence cases from three years to 10 years to align with other statutes; reported favorable.

Several bills were handled by voice consent with amendments adopted where noted. Committee members generally moved the bills favorably and there were no contested roll‑call votes recorded in committee.