Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1232: PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Provides relative to waterway projects

This bill updates Louisiana's laws to create a structured Waterway Assistance Program that helps local governments fund projects for dredging and deepening state waterways. It establishes a quarterly application process where parishes, municipalities, and port authorities can submit project requests to a specific office for review. A joint committee will evaluate these applications, hold public hearings, and create a prioritized list of projects based on available funding before the legislature appropriates money. The bill also creates a dedicated state fund to support these projects and clarifies that local authorities remain responsible for preparing project plans and managing construction.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds waterway dredging and deepening projects, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1037: TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Modifies operations and certain positions within the Department of Transportation and Development (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill reorganizes the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development by creating new leadership positions and clarifying their roles. It establishes a chief operating officer to oversee project delivery and operations, a deputy secretary to lead an office of transformation focused on departmental improvements, and an undersecretary to manage finance and administrative functions. The legislation also extends deadlines for the department to implement reforms and pay vendors, while defining which positions are classified as unclassified versus part of the standard state service system. These changes aim to improve internal management and operational efficiency within the department.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill reorganizes DOT to improve operations, project delivery, and departmental efficiency through new leadership roles and extended reform deadlines.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

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

This bill expands the authority of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction to independently manage federal-aid highway projects and control the State Highway Improvement Fund without requiring prior approval from the Department of Transportation and Development. Key provisions grant the office emergency procurement powers, allowing it to issue emergency declarations and sign contracts for immediate infrastructure repairs, particularly for bridges in poor condition, while also enabling it to access various funding sources including state general fund allocations and interagency transfers. The legislation requires the office to submit annual reports detailing project status, scope, and funding to the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and extends emergency procurement authority until December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands authority for highway construction office, enables emergency procurement for infrastructure repairs, and strengthens management of state highway improvement fund.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 205: BOATS/BOATING: Provides for boat registrations. (8/1/26) (EN -$14,850 SD RV See Note)

SB 205 requires all motorboats, houseboats, and sailboats operated in Louisiana to display a unique number on the bow, issued through a state or federally approved numbering system. It prohibits operating unnumbered boats unless covered by federal documentation, a valid number from another state (for under 90 days), or specific exemptions like foreign vessels, U.S. government boats, or lifeboats. The bill updates Louisiana law to align with federal requirements for vessel marking and documentation. This directly affects recreational boat owners and operators who must comply with numbering rules to legally use state waters.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnforces federal vessel marking requirements, enhancing boating safety regulations within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 846: MTR VEHICLE/LICEN PLATES: Prohibits drivers from obscuring license plates with coverings or films

HB 846 prohibits drivers from covering or obscuring license plates with films, coverings, or substances that reduce visibility, legibility, or reflectivity. It directly affects drivers who apply decorative films, frames, or other materials to their plates. The bill requires plates to be clearly visible at all times and sets fines of up to $75 for a first offense and $250 for repeat violations. This law amends Louisiana's vehicle code to ensure license plates remain fully readable for law enforcement and identification purposes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits obscuring license plates to ensure visibility for law enforcement, directly enhancing transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HR 206: HIGHWAYS: Directs the Department of Transportation and Development to complete the Louisiana Highway 16 widening project

This resolution directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to widen Louisiana Highway 16 from two lanes to four lanes between highways 1019 and 1023. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion for the approximately 25,000 daily drivers and improve access for local businesses in the area. Although funding was already allocated in the 2024 session, this bill formally authorizes the state to begin the construction work.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes widening a highway to reduce congestion and improve access, directly advancing transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HR 207: HIGHWAYS: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a traffic study to evaluate adding turn lanes onto Louisiana Highway 1024

This resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to study whether adding turn lanes to Louisiana Highway 1024 would improve traffic flow and safety. The request is based on findings that dedicated turn lanes can reduce accidents and delays caused by conflicts between vehicles turning and those moving straight through intersections. If the study finds the project feasible, the department must submit a written report of its findings to the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works before January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requests a study to add turn lanes, aiming to improve traffic flow and safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HR 208: HIGHWAYS: Urges and requests that the Department of Transportation and Development to construct a roundabout on Louisiana Highway 1019

This legislative resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to build a roundabout at the intersection of Louisiana Highway 1019 and Old Louisiana Highway 16. The bill cites safety data suggesting roundabouts reduce severe collisions and encourages drivers to slow down, which is particularly relevant near the nearby Live Oak Junior High School. By formally requesting this infrastructure change, the resolution aims to improve traffic safety without mandating the construction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves traffic safety near a junior high school, indirectly supporting student safety and educational access.55% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill requests construction of a roundabout to improve traffic safety and infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HCR 69: TRANSPORTATION: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development make certain improvements to Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish

This legislative resolution urges the Department of Transportation and Development to improve safety features along Interstate 12 in Livingston, East Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa, and St. Tammany Parishes. The bill cites specific fatal accidents, including a 2020 collision involving a cable barrier and a 2025 crash caused by a vehicle striking a concrete median, as reasons for these improvements. By highlighting these incidents, the resolution seeks to prompt the state agency to address infrastructure vulnerabilities that have led to serious injuries and deaths. The measure does not mandate funding or specific engineering changes but serves as a formal request for the department to prioritize safety upgrades in the affected areas.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill urges DOT to improve safety features and infrastructure on Interstate 12, directly advancing transportation safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 1009: CRIME: Provides relative to reckless operation of a vehicle (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

This bill proposes to update Louisiana's laws regarding reckless operation of a vehicle by clarifying what behaviors constitute the offense. It directly affects drivers and operators of motor vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and other conveyances by defining specific actions as reckless. The key provision expands the definition to include operating any vehicle in a criminally negligent or reckless manner, as well as driving a motor vehicle at or above 100 miles per hour. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for prosecutors and courts when handling cases involving dangerous vehicle operation. The bill would apply to anyone operating a vehicle in violation of these new or clarified standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands reckless driving definition to include higher speeds and criminal negligence, strengthening law enforcement tools and public safety protections.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens transportation safety by clarifying and expanding reckless operation definitions, including high-speed driving, enhancing public safety standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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