— HOUSE COMMITTEES PROBE SOLAR RULES: The House committees focused on agriculture and natural resources are planning a joint meeting on Thursday at 9 a.m. “to receive information on the impact and effects of solar panel installation on agricultural lands and aspects of solar energy development.” House Natural Resources and Environment Chair Brett Geymann authored this year’s HSR 2, which calls for a study of wind and solar energy development in the state. He said the meeting will help with gathering information for potential legislation next year to provide consistent regulation of solar development–including factors such as setbacks, buffer zones and mitigating the impact on wildlife–ensuring every parish is on the “same playing field” rather than the “wild, wild West” of every parish creating its own rules. While solar farms don’t create many jobs, they can contribute revenue for local governments, he said. Geymann stressed that lawmakers don’t want to chase off the solar industry, but they do want to protect the public. “We have to find that balance,” he said, adding that consistency is good for everyone involved. Other officials, including Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, have expressed concerns about taking fertile agricultural land out of production for solar farms. 

— THE WEEK AHEAD: The Louisiana Tax Commission, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Postpartum Newborn Nurse Home Visiting Task Force and the America 250 Louisiana State Commission all are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. The Council on Medicaid Pharmacy Reimbursement meets Thursday. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education holds committee meetings and a public hearing today and a full board meeting on Wednesday; see agendas here. 

— GUMBO 2.0 LAUNCHES: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, Congressman Troy Carter and  Gov. Jeff Landry were among the officials celebrating the launch of the GUMBO 2.0 broadband program on Monday. Cassidy, who helped draft the bipartisan federal infrastructure legislation that includes $1.35 billion for broadband in Louisiana, and Carter are the only members of Louisiana’s delegation who voted for the bill. The program will expand broadband access to 100,000 homes, 35,000 businesses, and 4,000 community anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies, according to Cassidy’s office.

— LLA RAPS TOWN FINANCES: An independent auditor was unable to opine on the town of Melville’s financial statements because of a lack of sufficient documentation, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor reports. The report contains a dozen findings, including failing to pay payroll taxes, not complying with debt covenant requirements and not cutting off utilities for past-due accounts, including for some elected officials. The town paid salaries to elected officials but was unable to produce the ordinance that set those salaries, the report states. Auditors also reported 12 findings for the town of Gibsland, some related to a lack of internal financial controls. The report says Gibsland was operating as a town with five aldermen even though its population of 1,001 means it should be classified as a village with three aldermen. The auditors also found that the mayor and an alderman signed checks to purchase three vehicles without a board-approved budget, advertising for bids, or receiving quotes. The mayor paid some officials and employees incentive pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the payments did not follow federal Treasury rules and were not included in the town’s budget, the LLA says.

— UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS: Rep. Rashid Young is planning an “all white Labor Day bash” fundraiser on Sept. 1 at his home in Homer. Contributions range from $250 to $2,500. Gov. Jeff Landry’s annual Alligator Hunt is set to begin Sept. 5; sponsorships are sold out, though a “camp pass” that does not include hunting can be had for a $10,000 donation, according to the event’s website. Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan is holding a cocktail reception in Houma on Sept. 12 to support his Public Service Commission bid, with suggested contributions ranging from $500 for a couple to $5,000; see the details here. Want your event listed? Send it to [email protected]!

— CONVENTION COVERAGE CONTINUES: Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis is a delegate to this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. As part of our ongoing coverage, Lewis will have an exclusive column about the convention in tomorrow’s edition of Beltway Beat.