SB 171 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

PUBLIC WORKS: Provides for the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 171 establishes the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority as the single coordinating body for flood control, navigation, and economic development projects in Louisiana's upland areas (outside coastal zones). It requires parishes and municipalities to coordinate with this Authority when adopting flood insurance compliance measures under federal law. The bill reorganizes state agencies by defining the Authority’s board composition (including representatives from economic development, levee districts, and ports) and mandates integrated planning for water resources, floodplain management, and infrastructure. This directly affects upland parishes, municipalities, and state agencies like the Department of Transportation and Development. The bill does not change existing federal requirements but creates a centralized state entity to manage coordination.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 25, 2026 Signed May 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB171 Original → SB171 Act 358 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal framework for public works and flood management in Louisiana, primarily by renaming the Department of Public Works to the Department of Transportation and Development and establishing a new 'Coordinated Use of Resources' Authority for upland areas. It also clarifies membership requirements for the Red River Compact Commission and adjusts how parishes adopt flood insurance regulations.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the new Coordinated Use of Resources Authority to include upland noncoastal areas, whereas previous versions focused on specific departmental functions without this explicit new coordinating entity.

DEFINITION

Renamed the Department of Public Works to the Department of Transportation and Development throughout the statute.

SCOPE

Created a new 'Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority' to coordinate flood control and water resource management in upland noncoastal areas.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the Red River Compact Commission membership rules to specify that one member must be the chief engineer or secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.

Revised the requirements for parishes and municipalities adopting flood insurance ordinances to include coordination with the chief resilience officer and compliance with the new Authority's standards.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting errors and updated section numbers and citations to match the final enrolled act.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2026 · House May 18, 2026

How they voted

35–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 40

Apr 29, 2026

D Democratic12

10 Yea 2

83% Yea

R Republican28

25 Yea 3

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 12, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

May 6, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors