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HB 346 Louisiana House · 2025 Regular Session

FUNDS/FUNDING: Establishes the Local Infrastructure Fund (RE NO IMPACT SD EX See Note)

HB 346 creates the Local Infrastructure Fund to reimburse local governments for costs incurred while repairing or mitigating damage caused by broadband expansion projects. The fund collects money from legislative appropriations, grants, donations, and other sources, which the state treasurer invests similarly to the general fund. Unspent funds carry over annually, and the Office of Community Development manages distributions to political subdivisions (like cities or parishes) after developing guidelines approved by the Water Sector Commission. This bill directly affects local governments facing infrastructure repair costs tied to broadband development, providing a dedicated funding source for these specific expenses.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund using legislative appropriations to reimburse local governments for infrastructure costs, directly increasing budget allocation for public projects.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds broadband expansion infrastructure via reimbursement for local governments, directly advancing internet access as a core technology policy.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action May 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB346 Reengrossed → HB346 Engrossed · 5 edits · May 22, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was reorganized to clarify that the Local Infrastructure Fund is primarily for repairing community water and sewer systems, with a strict $10 million annual cap. The scope was narrowed to exclude broadband expansion reimbursement, which is now handled by a separate Water Sector Program grant. Funding sources were updated to include specific telecommunications taxes, and the bill now explicitly takes effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from a general infrastructure fund covering broadband and water/sewer projects to a specialized fund focused exclusively on water and sewer system repairs and improvements, subject to a $10 million annual limit.
ELIGIBILITY

Removed eligibility for reimbursing expenses related to broadband service expansion, which is now addressed separately via the Water Sector Program.

FISCAL

Added specific revenue sources, including sales and use taxes on telecommunications, cable, and satellite services, to the fund.

ADDED

Established a hard cap of $10 million per fiscal year for appropriations to water and sewer system repairs.

TIMELINE

Added a condition that the fund's provisions only become operative if a proposed constitutional amendment (originally HB 366) is adopted at a statewide election.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for guidelines and reporting from the Water Sector Commission to a requirement for specific legislative appropriations for each withdrawal.

Floor votes · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

89–0
Passed · 13 other
Total votes 102
May 22, 2025
D Democratic31
24 Yea 7
77% Yea
R Republican71
65 Yea 6
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
2
Committee
3
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 92, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (21-0).
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Daryl Deshotel
Daryl Deshotel
RRepublican
LA
28