SR 169 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Directs the Department of Transportation and Development to establish a two-year minimum pilot program for the use of dispute review boards on certain highway and transportation construction projects.

This bill directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to run a two-year pilot program starting in July 2026 that uses independent dispute review boards on selected highway and transportation construction projects. The program requires at least five projects per year and involves a panel of three independent experts who help the government and contractors resolve contract disagreements early without changing the original contract terms. The department must select projects based on factors like complexity and risk, maintain a roster of qualified board members, and submit detailed reports on the program's costs and effectiveness by June 2028.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2026

Committee Review

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced May 27, 2026 Last action Jun 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SR169 Original → SR169 Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 1, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled, adding specific procedural requirements for the pilot program. Key changes include the addition of a requirement for a program administrator to manage the roster and data, and the establishment of strict deadlines for submitting interim and final reports to the Senate Committee. The enrolled version also clarifies that participation in the dispute review board process does not automatically extend legal deadlines or waive rights.

Scope change

The scope remains focused on highway and transportation construction projects, but the enrolled version adds specific administrative and reporting obligations to the department.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement to designate a program administrator to maintain rosters, standardize agreements, and collect data.

Clarified that participation in the dispute review board process does not automatically extend legal deadlines or waive claim preservation requirements.

TIMELINE

Added a mandatory interim report deadline of March 1, 2027, and a final report deadline of June 30, 2028.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title and adopted.

upper

May 27, 2026

Introduced

Rules suspended. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors