Transportation (Public Transit)

HB 416 modifies how funds in the East Baton Rouge Parish Community Improvement Fund are allocated. It requires that 50% of the fund's annual balance be used for urban mass transit in East Baton Rouge Parish (without replacing existing transit funding) and the remaining 50% must support the Research Park Corporation. Any unspent funds at year-end stay in the fund, and all invested earnings go to the state general fund. The bill directly affects East Baton Rouge Parish by directing specific funding streams for transit and economic development.

HB 365 changes who has authority over school bus operators' employment during their probationary period. It transfers the power from school boards to superintendents to discipline, dismiss, or discharge operators after a written recommendation and with written reasons provided to the operator. The bill also requires superintendents to immediately dismiss operators convicted of or pleading guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offense occurred during work duties. This directly affects school bus operators and school district superintendents in Louisiana, altering their employment oversight process. The key change is shifting disciplinary authority from school boards to superintendents for probationary employees.

HB 264, "Jada's Law," requires police or jail staff to confirm a person arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) is medically sober and has a blood alcohol level at or below the legal limit before releasing them from custody. It mandates securing the arrestee's vehicle (e.g., towing or holding keys) until release and requires notifying rental car companies if the vehicle is rented. The law applies directly to individuals arrested for DWI, law enforcement agencies, and rental dealers. It adds specific procedures for safe release, including requiring a sober licensed driver, rideshare, or public transit for transportation, but does not affect bail eligibility.