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Committee adopts amended welfare‑verification bill after hours of testimony and a 5–3 roll call
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Summary
Senate Bill 194, which aligns state rules on noncitizen eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP with recent federal changes and narrows 'reasonable opportunity' verification windows, passed the Health & Welfare Committee 5–3 after lengthy public testimony for and against the measure.
Senate Bill 194, introduced by Senator Miguez, would align Louisiana law with recent federal changes on noncitizen eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP, standardize a single 90‑day reasonable‑opportunity period for citizenship or immigration verification for Medicaid provisional coverage, and change how household income is counted for SNAP when a household member is ineligible due to immigration status.
Senator Miguez and supporters argued the bill preserves benefits for Americans and lawfully eligible immigrants while closing loopholes and improving program integrity. A representative of FGA Action said the bill limits continuous provisional eligibility abuses and urged support.
The committee heard substantial opposition. Invest Louisiana, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Catholic Charities‑affiliated speakers and dozens of community members warned SB194 would create fear among immigrant communities, reduce take‑up of benefits by eligible children, increase emergency‑care costs and impose untested administrative burdens on LDH and DCFS. Several witnesses recounted personal and family stories of delayed care and difficulty navigating federal verification systems. Advocates also said the bill could expand state staff roles into immigration enforcement and could lead to erroneous referrals.
After extended public testimony and debate, Senator Hodges moved to report the bill as amended. Senator Boudreaux objected and a roll call followed. The secretary recorded 5 votes in favor and 3 opposed; the committee reported SB194 as amended.
Vote tally (committee roll call as recorded): Yes — Senators Cloud, Henskins, Hodges, Owen and Presley; No — Vice Chair Jackson Andrews, Senator Boudreaux and Senator Luno (5 yes, 3 no). The committee also adopted technical amendments earlier in the hearing.
What’s next: SB194 is reported as amended and will appear on the committee report for floor consideration. The Office of the Attorney General and LDH may need to review implementation details and the fiscal note for administrative impacts.
