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

HB1072 Original → HB1072 Act 333 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands the powers of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction by allowing it to use state funds for roads ineligible for federal money and authorizing the executive director to waive bidding requirements during emergencies. The changes shift control over emergency procurement from the Secretary of Transportation to the Office's executive director and extend the emergency procurement authority window to cover the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of projects the office can fund to include state-maintained roads that are not part of the federal highway system, which were previously ineligible for these specific funds.

FISCAL

Added authority to use State Highway Improvement Fund monies for state-maintained roads that are ineligible for federal funding, covering design, maintenance, and restoration.

REQUIREMENT

Transferred emergency procurement authority from the Secretary of Transportation to the executive director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

Added a new section requiring the office to submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Transportation detailing all projects planned or initiated under emergency authority.

TIMELINE

Extended the emergency procurement waiver period to run until December 31, 2027, covering the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

HB1072 Enrolled → HB1072 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized to remove references to the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and focus exclusively on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction. The scope of the office was expanded to allow it to independently manage federal-aid highway projects through mutual agreements, while its funding authority was broadened to include interagency transfers and general fund allocations. Emergency procurement powers were retained but the specific date range for their use was updated to January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a shared authority between the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction and the DOTD to independent authority for the Office, allowing it to execute design, construction, and rehabilitation of federal-aid highways without relying on DOTD structures.

SCOPE

Removed the requirement that the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction enter agreements with the Department of Transportation and Development for federal-aid projects, granting the Office independent authority to execute such work.

FISCAL

Expanded the Office's ability to receive and administer funding to include interagency transfers, state general fund allocations, and other sources permitted by law, rather than being limited to specific fund types.

TIMELINE

Updated the expiration date for emergency procurement procedures from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for the Office to submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works detailing planned and initiated projects.

DEFINITION

Clarified that the term 'office' refers specifically to the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, removing references to the broader Department of Transportation and Development.

HB1072 Engrossed → HB1072 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 18, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled law, removing internal legislative tracking numbers and formatting notes. Substantively, the bill expanded funding flexibility by allowing preconstruction costs and compensation for road ownership transfers, clarified the definition of the 'office' to include the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, and extended emergency procurement authority through December 31, 2027.

Scope change

The scope of funding eligibility was broadened to include preconstruction activities and ownership transfer compensation, and the scope of the defined 'office' was clarified to include the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

FISCAL

Added authority to use funds for preconstruction activities like planning, survey, design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocations.

Added authority to use funds to compensate parishes or municipalities for accepting ownership of roads transferred to the state highway system.

DEFINITION

Clarified that the term 'office' includes the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for using emergency procurement procedures from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Removed internal legislative tracking numbers, committee headers, and digest notes as the bill was finalized.

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

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