Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 420: ROADS/HIGHWAYS: Provides for the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission. (8/1/26)

This bill establishes the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission to oversee the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway project. It directly affects the commission's structure by specifying that the commission will have thirteen directors in total. The key provision adds two new members to the commission: one appointed by the Vermilion Parish Police Jury President and one appointed by the Iberia Parish President. These changes modify the existing legal framework to ensure broader representation from the affected parishes in the commission's governance.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes a commission to oversee expressway project, directly advancing road infrastructure development and transportation planning.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 442: TAX/LOCAL: Provides for a local sales and use tax exemption in Calcasieu Parish for the furnishing of repairs to certain aircraft. (7/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)

This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for aircraft repair services in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. It directly affects businesses that perform repairs, modifications, overhauls, or upgrades on aircraft registered outside of Louisiana. The exemption only applies when repairs are done at specific airports meeting strict infrastructure requirements, including a runway at least 10,700 feet long, 200 feet wide, and with concrete at least 17 inches thick. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply only to local taxes levied by Calcasieu Parish authorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemption for aircraft repair services, reducing tax burden on businesses and promoting economic activity in Calcasieu Parish.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides tax exemption for aircraft repair services, supporting aviation infrastructure and maintenance in Calcasieu Parish.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 40: TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for approaching emergency or disabled vehicles on or near highways. (8/1/26)

SB 40 requires drivers in Louisiana to yield to emergency vehicles using lights or sirens by moving to the right edge of the road and stopping until they pass. For parked disabled vehicles displaying hazard lights or emergency signals, drivers on multi-lane highways must change lanes (if safe) or slow to a safe speed on two-lane roads. Violating these rules results in a fine of up to $200. The law directly affects all drivers on Louisiana highways and amends existing traffic procedures to clarify safe approaches to both moving emergency vehicles and stationary disabled vehicles. The Department of Public Safety will create implementing rules for this law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates driver yielding to emergency/disabled vehicles on highways, directly enhancing road safety and protecting responders, aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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

Track

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

Track

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