Re-creates Louisiana Economic Development. (6/30/26) (EG NO IMPACT See Note)

Senate Bill 79 re-creates the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and all statutory entities made a part of that department by law, effective June 30, 2026. The bill enacts a new provision in the Louisiana Revised Statutes at R.S. 49:191(3)(b) that establishes July 1, 2030, as the date when Louisiana Economic Development and its constituent statutory entities shall begin terminating their operations, with all legislative authority for their existence ceasing on July 1, 2031. The bill simultaneously repeals R.S. 49:191(1)(a), which previously provided that the department would begin terminating operations on July 1, 2026, with legislative authority ceasing on July 1, 2027. By restructuring the sunset provisions, the legislation extends the operational life of the department and its statutory entities by approximately four years beyond what existing law would otherwise permit.

The practical effect of this bill is to prevent the immediate dissolution of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and all agencies constitutionally or statutorily established as part of the department. Without this re-creation bill, the department would have begun terminating operations on July 1, 2026, with complete cessation of authority by July 1, 2027. All personnel employed by the department and its statutory entities continue to retain their positions through the extended sunset date. Businesses and individuals relying on economic development incentives, grant programs, and assistance services administered by the department through its various statutory entities will maintain access to these services through June 30, 2031. The department's board members, officials, and operational staff maintain their statutory authority to exercise the functions delegated to the department by law.

This bill operates within Louisiana's sunset law framework codified in Part XII of Chapter 1 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The sunset law requires periodic legislative re-authorization of government agencies to ensure ongoing legislative oversight and evaluation of agency performance. By amending R.S. 49:191, which contains the master schedule for agency termination dates, the bill modifies the constitutional and statutory structure that governs the creation, continuation, and termination of state agencies. The legislation supersedes conflicting provisions of R.S. 49:193, which establishes procedures for the review and re-creation of statutory entities. This re-creation is a routine exercise of the legislature's authority under the sunset law to extend agency existence prior to scheduled termination, allowing the legislature to defer comprehensive agency review and reform to a future legislative session.