Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 55: MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides for clarification on the proper way to wear a safety belt. (8/1/26)

SB 55 clarifies how seatbelts must be worn in Louisiana vehicles, requiring drivers and passengers to fasten safety belts across both the lap and shoulder (not behind the body or under the arm) while the vehicle is moving. It directly affects drivers of passenger cars, vans, SUVs, and trucks under 26,000 pounds, excluding vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1981. The bill amends existing law to specify the proper seatbelt positioning without creating new penalties or requirements. This is a procedural clarification of current safety belt rules, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies seatbelt safety standards, directly enhancing vehicle safety regulations under transportation policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 115: TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for the Department of Transportation and Development to accept duties of the federal government. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)

SB 115 allows Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development to assume specific transportation-related duties currently handled by the federal government, such as those under federal laws like MAP-21 and SAFETEA-LU. The bill enables the department to enter agreements with federal agencies, accept federal funds for transportation projects, and adopt necessary rules to carry out these responsibilities. It also includes a limited waiver of state immunity for lawsuits related only to compliance with these federal agreements, but does not create new liability beyond federal requirements. This bill directly affects the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and federal transportation agencies.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables Louisiana DOT to accept federal transportation duties/funds for infrastructure projects, directly advancing funding and management of transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 122: TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for bridge maintenance by the Department of Transportation and Development. (8/1/26)

SB 122 requires Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to maintain all bridges, overpasses, culverts, and related structures on the state highway system. The bill defines "bridges" broadly to include all structural components and mandates the DOTD to inspect, repair, and preserve these structures while excluding bridges owned by local governments or the federal government. Starting September 1, 2026, the DOTD must submit annual reports to legislative transportation committees detailing bridge counts, maintenance status, locations, funding needs, and federal condition ratings. Beginning January 1, 2027, quarterly updates on bridge preservation plans will also be required.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOTD to maintain state bridges, overpasses, and culverts, ensuring infrastructure safety and preservation per bill's mandate.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 720: PROPERTY/PUBLIC: Provides relative to the tacit dedication of roads

HB 720 clarifies that when a Louisiana parish or municipality maintains a road for four years or more, it becomes a public road automatically, without needing formal agreement. This means the road and its right-of-way cannot be sold by neighboring landowners, and public improvements like sidewalks built on it remain publicly accessible. If the government later decides to return such a road to its original owner, it must send written notice with a 90-day response period. The law applies retroactively to all roads meeting these conditions.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies automatic public road status after 4 years maintenance, preventing landowner sales and ensuring public access to road infrastructure, protecting transportation assets.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed · Louisiana · House May 12, 2026

HB 455: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Provides relative to the definition of "first responder"

HB 455 expands Louisiana's definition of "first responder" to include public works employees (e.g., those maintaining roads, utilities, or drainage systems) who perform emergency response duties during disasters. It formally integrates these workers into emergency operations like debris clearance, infrastructure repair, and shelter support under the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. Crucially, the bill explicitly states this designation does not alter retirement benefits, workers' compensation eligibility, or require new pay, and any future compensation changes would need separate legislative approval. The bill focuses on operational coordination during emergencies while preserving existing rights and benefits for affected employees.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIntegrates road maintenance workers into emergency response for infrastructure repair, directly protecting transportation infrastructure during disasters.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Louisiana · House May 12, 2026

HB 896: HIGHWAYS: Requires toll signage, toll dispute procedures, and toll customer service centers at all toll facilities within a certain radius (RE1 DECREASE SG RV See Note)

HB 896 requires all Louisiana toll facilities to display real-time toll prices based on vehicle type, include clear fee notices on signage, and establish customer service centers within five miles of each location. It creates a formal process for drivers to dispute toll charges by submitting written requests to the toll operator. The bill also limits administrative fees for unpaid tolls to $25 per incident and caps annual fees at $48, while requiring toll operators to publish fee structures on signage. This directly affects drivers using toll roads (especially "toll-by-plate" users) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LaDOTD), which must implement these changes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires transparent toll signage, dispute procedures, and fee caps at toll facilities, enhancing user experience and fairness in transportation infrastructure management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 756: BOATS/SHIPS/VESSELS: Provides relative to personal watercraft

HB 756 amends Louisiana's watercraft operation rules to clarify right-of-way procedures, collision reporting requirements, and enforcement protocols for all vessel operators. It specifies that motorboats must yield to sailboats, vessels approaching docks must give way, and operators must report collisions causing death, injury, or property damage exceeding $500 within five days. The bill also defines "boating incidents" and requires registered boat owners to report thefts to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries within five days. These changes directly affect all recreational and commercial vessel operators navigating Louisiana waterways.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies watercraft safety rules including right-of-way and collision reporting, enhancing transportation safety standards for vessels.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed · Louisiana · House May 7, 2026

HB 488: TAX/SEVERANCE TAX: Establishes the Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund and provides for use of the monies in the fund (RE -$11,476,249 GF RV See Note)

HB 488 establishes the Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using 1/5 of severance tax revenues collected from Plaquemines Parish that would otherwise go to the state general fund. The fund's money must be used exclusively to reduce tolls on the Belle Chasse Bridge, pay developer costs for an early contract handback, cover annual inflation adjustments, or fund related transportation projects. It directly affects Plaquemines Parish residents (through severance tax contributions) and bridge users (through toll adjustments). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and creates a dedicated funding mechanism for the Belle Chasse Bridge public-private partnership contract.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates severance tax revenue specifically to fund bridge toll reductions and transportation projects, directly advancing infrastructure maintenance and user cost reduction.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 447: DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Creates the Avondale and Waggaman Economic Development District in Jefferson Parish

HB 447 creates the Avondale and Waggaman Economic Development District in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, covering the area along Highway 90 from the St. Charles/St. Bernard parish line to Lapalco Boulevard. The district will be governed by a seven-member board appointed by local civic associations and elected officials (including a Jefferson Parish council member), with no tax authority. Its purpose is to enhance economic development, improve infrastructure, and promote job growth for property owners and residents within the defined district boundaries through coordinated planning and public improvements. The district cannot levy taxes but may receive grants and enter contracts to fund projects outlined in its annual budget.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates economic development district along Highway 90 with explicit purpose to improve infrastructure, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure in a highway corridor.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 743: DISTRICTS/AIRPORT: Creates the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish

HB 743 creates the "Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District" in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, to govern the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport. The district, established upon approval by the St. Mary Parish Council and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will operate as a political subdivision with authority to manage airport operations, infrastructure, and financial matters. It will be governed by a seven-member board of commissioners appointed by the parish council, who will oversee airport planning, facility development, and acceptance of federal grants. The district’s boundaries align with St. Mary Parish, and it will assume responsibility for airport management currently held by local government. This bill does not impose new taxes or fees but reorganizes airport governance under a dedicated district structure.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates airport district to govern infrastructure, aligning with transportation infrastructure management per bill's purpose to operate airport operations and infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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