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Committee backs revived rural revolving loan program for small municipalities

Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee · April 7, 2026

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Summary

The committee reported HB1200, expanding a rural infrastructure revolving loan program administered by the governor’s Office of Rural Development to help municipalities under 15,000 residents finance water, wastewater, drainage and resilience projects without needing local matches.

Representative Butler presented House Bill 1200 to modernize and relaunch a rural infrastructure revolving loan program. The measure moves administration to the Office of Rural Development in the governor’s office, broadens eligible projects (water, wastewater, drainage, levees, flood mitigation and certain energy projects), removes a prior $1.5 million cap on individual projects, and retains program focus on municipalities with populations under 15,000.

Sponsor testimony emphasized the program’s revolving nature: loans are repaid with interest to replenish the fund for future projects. Committee members asked about initial capitalization; the sponsor said the Senate side had indicated a willingness to provide initial appropriations and the fund is intended to grow over time. The committee reported the bill favorably by voice consent.