SB 144 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

LOCAL FINANCE: Provides relative to the issuance of bonds by the Vidalia Port Commission. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

SB 144 amends Louisiana law to allow the Vidalia Port Commission to issue bonds up to $15 million total for its operations. The bill specifies that bond payments must be secured by port revenues, the city of Vidalia’s full credit, and potentially federal or state grants. It clarifies that the commission may pledge all or part of external funds received (like grants) to further secure bond payments. This bill directly affects the Vidalia Port Commission and the city of Vidalia by establishing clear financial parameters for bond financing.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB144 Original → SB144 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill converts the Vidalia Port Commission's bond authorization from a temporary measure into a permanent law. It removes the requirement for State Bond Commission approval and eliminates the $15 million spending cap, allowing the commission to issue bonds up to that limit without additional state oversight. The bill also formally pledges the full faith and credit of the city of Vidalia to secure these debts.

Scope change

The bill changes the legal status of the bond authorization from a temporary session law to a permanent enrolled act, removing the need for recurring state approval for future issuances.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for State Bond Commission approval before the commission can issue bonds.

FISCAL

Changed the bond limit from a temporary restriction to a permanent $15 million cap.

DEFINITION

Formally established that the bonds constitute a general obligation of the commission and pledge the full faith and credit of the city of Vidalia.

TIMELINE

Updated the document status from a temporary 'Original' session law to a permanent 'Enrolled' Act.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2025 · House Jun 3, 2025

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 38

Apr 22, 2025

D Democratic11

9 Yea 2

81% Yea

R Republican27

27 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 100, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 28, 2025

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (14-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors