HB 743 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

DISTRICTS/AIRPORT: Creates the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish

HB 743 creates the "Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District" in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, to govern the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport. The district, established upon approval by the St. Mary Parish Council and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will operate as a political subdivision with authority to manage airport operations, infrastructure, and financial matters. It will be governed by a seven-member board of commissioners appointed by the parish council, who will oversee airport planning, facility development, and acceptance of federal grants. The district’s boundaries align with St. Mary Parish, and it will assume responsibility for airport management currently held by local government. This bill does not impose new taxes or fees but reorganizes airport governance under a dedicated district structure.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Last action Apr 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB743 Original → HB743 Engrossed · 1 edit · Apr 20, 2026

MINOR

The bill's header was updated to reflect its 'Engrossed' status, indicating it has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for final action. A new provision was added to the text, expanding the scope of the bill to include the construction, maintenance, and operation of airports and airport facilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly cover the construction, maintenance, and operation of airports and airport facilities.

SCOPE

Added language to include the construction, maintenance, and operation of airports and airport facilities.

Floor votes · House Apr 20, 2026

How they voted

89–2

Passed · 14 other

Total votes 105

Apr 20, 2026

D Democratic33

25 Yea 8

75% Yea

R Republican72

64 Yea 2 Nay 6

88% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 88, nays 2. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (10-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors