(The Center Square) − Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee this week reviewed budget requests from several Louisiana public safety agencies, where concerns over outdated technology, chronic staffing shortages, and expanding operational needs took center stage.

The Office of Motor Vehicles, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Department of Corrections, and Office of Juvenile Justice presented their Fiscal Year 2026 proposals. While each agency faces unique challenges, lawmakers consistently pressed for long-overdue upgrades and better oversight of how taxpayer dollars are being spent. No agency reported any significant changes in federal funding. 

The OMV requested an $83 million budget — 91% of which is funded by self-generated fees. But rather than focusing on dollars, lawmakers fixated on the agency’s decades-old computer systems, which continue to frustrate residents trying to obtain Real IDs, which will be required for all Louisiana’s starting in May.

Officials said they’ve extended weekend hours and are considering Sunday openings to keep up with demand, even as 55 of 566 positions remain vacant.

“This didn’t just start,” Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Bienville, said. “It’s been nearly 20 years and we’re still dealing with the same outdated system,” noting that legislation had been proposed as far back as 2008 to upgrade the system.

The budget request presentation did not include any funds for an upgraded computer system. As previously reported, aging IT and computer systems are an issue among several state agencies and departments, including the State Police and the Department of Children and Family Services. 

The Fire Marshal’s Office is in line for $39.5 million, a $3.1 million increase from last year driven by salaries, repairs, and higher tech fees. Much of the budget — $31.2 million — comes from statutory dedications. Interim Commissioner Bryan Adams highlighted excessive costs in past tech leasing deals and said the agency is now working with the Office of Technology Services to rein in spending.

“OTS takes a beating in these meetings,” Adams said, though he added that agencies need to do their own part. “We’re going to fix ours.”

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections proposed a reduced $768.5 million budget — down $22.3 million from last year, mostly due to the end of one-time expenses. Despite this drop, staffing remains a challenge. Of 4,890 authorized positions, 403 were vacant at the end of 2024.

Salaries and benefits make up 67% of the budget, while the average daily cost per inmate remains high at $122.55. Officials expect about $2 million to be available for justice reinvestment programs in FY 2026, following $4.3 million in savings from reduced incarceration rates.

The Office of Juvenile Justice requested a $197.9 million budget—an increase of $19.5 million from FY 2025 — with 89% coming from the state general fund. Nearly all funding supports the Youth Services Program.

A key driver of the increase is the $15.4 million operational plan to reopen the Jetson Center for Youth as a reception and diagnostic facility. The funding includes:

• $12.7 million for 77 new positions, medical contracts, and 44 secure beds.
  

• $2.8 million and 31 existing positions transferred from a shuttered facility in St. Martin.

OJJ will also launch a juvenile electronic monitoring program in New Orleans with a $1 million increase in self-generated revenues. Local housing for juvenile offenders received a modest boost — up $1.3 million—due to rising detention center rates. 

Personnel services across OJJ will rise by $16.1 million, while other charges  largely for treatment services and foster care contracts — total $62.7 million. As of December 30, OJJ had 139 vacant positions out of 1,070 authorized.