Governmental Affairs Committee clears a slate of bills — fatherhood commission, museum transfer, school‑nepotism exception — and holds confirmation hearings

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on April 15 advanced a group of primarily noncontroversial measures and conducted a series of confirmation hearings.

Among the bills the panel reported favorably by unanimous consent were Senate Bill 4 35, which creates a Louisiana Commission on Fatherhood Engagement within the governor’s office to coordinate services and programmatic efforts; House Bill 5 76, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and authorizes the department to enter contracts and accept contributions; and House Bill 6 61, which adds limited exceptions to school nepotism rules for paraprofessionals, custodians and cafeteria workers provided qualifications are met and oversight (recusal) rules apply.

Representative Gary (presenting HB 5 76) and the Old Governor’s Mansion director described rising visitation and practical benefits from consolidating ownership and operations in the Secretary of State’s Office. "We have tripled the visitation over the last couple of years," Dr. Sunella Agassi said, urging support for codifying the Department of State’s role.

Committee members also heard two election‑related scheduling bills. Senator Morris presented SB 107 to make an April election statewide to reduce fall ballot congestion; the ACLU opposed moving dates, arguing it could reduce turnout for constitutional amendments. The committee reported SB 107 favorably.

After the legislative business the committee heard confirmation testimony for a slate of executive appointees, including Mary Kate Entrepont (executive director, Office of Human Trafficking Prevention), Ajaell Davis (Inspector General), Archie Chesa (executive director, Office of Louisiana Highway Construction), Braden Smith (chief resilience officer), Dr. Ewelina Griffin (surgeon general at LDH) and others. Nominees outlined professional backgrounds and priorities, and senators generally expressed support or posed technical questions about implementation and coordination.

The committee adjourned after the confirmation round.