Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1232: PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Provides relative to waterway projects

This bill updates Louisiana's laws to create a structured Waterway Assistance Program that helps local governments fund projects for dredging and deepening state waterways. It establishes a quarterly application process where parishes, municipalities, and port authorities can submit project requests to a specific office for review. A joint committee will evaluate these applications, hold public hearings, and create a prioritized list of projects based on available funding before the legislature appropriates money. The bill also creates a dedicated state fund to support these projects and clarifies that local authorities remain responsible for preparing project plans and managing construction.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds waterway dredging and deepening projects, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1037: TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Modifies operations and certain positions within the Department of Transportation and Development (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill reorganizes the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development by creating new leadership positions and clarifying their roles. It establishes a chief operating officer to oversee project delivery and operations, a deputy secretary to lead an office of transformation focused on departmental improvements, and an undersecretary to manage finance and administrative functions. The legislation also extends deadlines for the department to implement reforms and pay vendors, while defining which positions are classified as unclassified versus part of the standard state service system. These changes aim to improve internal management and operational efficiency within the department.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill reorganizes DOT to improve operations, project delivery, and departmental efficiency through new leadership roles and extended reform deadlines.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1072: TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Reforms certain powers, duties, and responsibilities in the office of Louisiana Highway Construction (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)

This bill expands the authority of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction to independently manage federal-aid highway projects and control the State Highway Improvement Fund without requiring prior approval from the Department of Transportation and Development. Key provisions grant the office emergency procurement powers, allowing it to issue emergency declarations and sign contracts for immediate infrastructure repairs, particularly for bridges in poor condition, while also enabling it to access various funding sources including state general fund allocations and interagency transfers. The legislation requires the office to submit annual reports detailing project status, scope, and funding to the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and extends emergency procurement authority until December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands authority for highway construction office, enables emergency procurement for infrastructure repairs, and strengthens management of state highway improvement fund.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 205: BOATS/BOATING: Provides for boat registrations. (8/1/26) (EN -$14,850 SD RV See Note)

SB 205 requires all motorboats, houseboats, and sailboats operated in Louisiana to display a unique number on the bow, issued through a state or federally approved numbering system. It prohibits operating unnumbered boats unless covered by federal documentation, a valid number from another state (for under 90 days), or specific exemptions like foreign vessels, U.S. government boats, or lifeboats. The bill updates Louisiana law to align with federal requirements for vessel marking and documentation. This directly affects recreational boat owners and operators who must comply with numbering rules to legally use state waters.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnforces federal vessel marking requirements, enhancing boating safety regulations within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 846: MTR VEHICLE/LICEN PLATES: Prohibits drivers from obscuring license plates with coverings or films

HB 846 prohibits drivers from covering or obscuring license plates with films, coverings, or substances that reduce visibility, legibility, or reflectivity. It directly affects drivers who apply decorative films, frames, or other materials to their plates. The bill requires plates to be clearly visible at all times and sets fines of up to $75 for a first offense and $250 for repeat violations. This law amends Louisiana's vehicle code to ensure license plates remain fully readable for law enforcement and identification purposes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits obscuring license plates to ensure visibility for law enforcement, directly enhancing transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 6: PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Expresses support for the development, construction, and long-term operation of a liquid natural gas facility at the Greater Lafourche Port Commission's Port Fourchon.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's full support for building and operating a liquid natural gas export facility at Port Fourchon. It directly affects the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, local businesses, and workers involved in the project, which is currently seeking federal permits. The resolution highlights the project's potential to create thousands of jobs, generate billions in economic activity, and prioritize Louisiana-based manufacturing and employment. It also notes the project's alignment with state economic goals and a policy of exporting energy to nations with shared democratic values.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expresses legislative support for LNG facility development, promoting energy infrastructure and economic activity in the energy sector.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill supports LNG export facility which typically increases fossil fuel extraction and emissions, potentially weakening environmental protections and increasing pollution.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expresses support for LNG facility development which is projected to create thousands of jobs and generate economic activity, indicating positive impact on employment.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly supports development of LNG facility at port, advancing transportation infrastructure and economic activity related to ports and logistics.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

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