Louisiana Homeland Security Office Fails Federal Compliance Again

A recent audit revealed that the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness failed to comply with federal reporting requirements for the second consecutive year. Specifically, two programs, the Hazard Mitigation Grant and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs, failed to report necessary information regarding subawards, often missing deadlines by several months. The audit highlighted that notable discrepancies occurred in the submission of subawards exceeding $30,000, raising concerns about the management of federal funds within the office.

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant offers funding for disaster preventative measures, while the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant aims to reduce flood risk for buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. Persistent noncompliance with federal guidelines in reporting could lead to significant repercussions for the state’s ability to manage these crucial programs effectively.

In response to the audit, an assistant director of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the office, including software limitations in their reporting system. Recommendations were provided to improve internal controls and ensure timely submissions of award information. The homeland security office plans to complete a corrective action plan within 90 days, despite anticipated changes in the reporting system.