Transportation

passed · Louisiana · House May 12, 2026

HB 455: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Provides relative to the definition of "first responder"

HB 455 expands Louisiana's definition of "first responder" to include public works employees (e.g., those maintaining roads, utilities, or drainage systems) who perform emergency response duties during disasters. It formally integrates these workers into emergency operations like debris clearance, infrastructure repair, and shelter support under the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. Crucially, the bill explicitly states this designation does not alter retirement benefits, workers' compensation eligibility, or require new pay, and any future compensation changes would need separate legislative approval. The bill focuses on operational coordination during emergencies while preserving existing rights and benefits for affected employees.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIntegrates road maintenance workers into emergency response for infrastructure repair, directly protecting transportation infrastructure during disasters.95% confidence

Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 720: PROPERTY/PUBLIC: Provides relative to the tacit dedication of roads

HB 720 clarifies that when a Louisiana parish or municipality maintains a road for four years or more, it becomes a public road automatically, without needing formal agreement. This means the road and its right-of-way cannot be sold by neighboring landowners, and public improvements like sidewalks built on it remain publicly accessible. If the government later decides to return such a road to its original owner, it must send written notice with a 90-day response period. The law applies retroactively to all roads meeting these conditions.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies automatic public road status after 4 years maintenance, preventing landowner sales and ensuring public access to road infrastructure, protecting transportation assets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 187: FUNDS/FUNDING: Creates the Oil and Gas Severance Subfund in the Parish Transportation Fund. (7/1/26) (OR -$17,800,000 GF RV See Note)

SB 187 creates a dedicated subfund within Louisiana's Parish Transportation Fund, requiring 5% of state oil and gas severance tax revenue (starting July 2026) and all annually appropriated funds to be deposited there. The money can only be used to repair and maintain public roads and bridges in parishes where oil and gas operations occur, directly affecting those parishes' infrastructure budgets. It explicitly prohibits using these funds for bond issuances or other purposes outside this specific transportation use. The subfund will be distributed proportionally to qualifying parishes based on established formulas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 5% of oil/gas severance tax revenue to fund road/bridge maintenance in affected parishes, ensuring dedicated budget allocation for infrastructure without diversion.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates dedicated subfund for road/bridge maintenance using oil/gas revenues, explicitly funding transportation infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 309: CRIME: Provides for the crime of walking on a crosswalk while looking at a cellphone (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

HB 309 imposes a $25 civil penalty on pedestrians who walk on crosswalks while using a cellphone. It also creates a rebuttable presumption that violators may be liable for damages resulting from their distraction. The bill directly affects individuals walking in crosswalks while using mobile devices. This measure establishes minor financial consequences for distracted walking, focusing on civil enforcement rather than criminal penalties.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnhances pedestrian safety in crosswalks, directly addressing transportation safety concerns through civil penalties for distracted walking.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 40: TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for approaching emergency or disabled vehicles on or near highways. (8/1/26)

SB 40 requires drivers in Louisiana to yield to emergency vehicles using lights or sirens by moving to the right edge of the road and stopping until they pass. For parked disabled vehicles displaying hazard lights or emergency signals, drivers on multi-lane highways must change lanes (if safe) or slow to a safe speed on two-lane roads. Violating these rules results in a fine of up to $200. The law directly affects all drivers on Louisiana highways and amends existing traffic procedures to clarify safe approaches to both moving emergency vehicles and stationary disabled vehicles. The Department of Public Safety will create implementing rules for this law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates driver yielding to emergency/disabled vehicles on highways, directly enhancing road safety and protecting responders, aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Tags Public Safety

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 251: HOMELAND SECURITY: Provides for critical infrastructure protection. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG RV)

SB 251 establishes the "Louisiana Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026" to safeguard critical infrastructure - including gas/oil systems, water delivery, telecommunications, power grids, emergency services, and transportation systems - from foreign adversaries. The bill prohibits companies and government entities from entering agreements that allow foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) to access or control critical infrastructure, and bans the use of adversary cameras and laser sensors in Louisiana transportation systems. Companies must certify their access, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, store data outside foreign adversary countries, and report cyber incidents to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, with exceptions only for unavoidable needs approved by that office. This directly affects businesses and government agencies operating critical infrastructure in Louisiana.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects energy infrastructure (gas/oil systems, power grids) from foreign adversaries, aligning with infrastructure protection as a support indicator.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits foreign adversaries from accessing critical infrastructure (telecom, power grids) and bans 'adversary cameras,' directly strengthening cybersecurity protections for technology systems.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly protects transportation systems as critical infrastructure under homeland security provisions, aligning with 'protect' indicator for support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Telecommunications

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 492: DWI: Creates the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 492 creates the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving to coordinate state efforts against drunk and drugged driving. The task force, operating within the governor's office, will include 21 members from state agencies (like law enforcement and health departments), community organizations (such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and at least one victim or family member of an impaired driving incident. Its key duties include analyzing data on impaired driving arrests and crashes, identifying evidence-based solutions like ignition interlock devices, and coordinating strategies across state and local agencies. The task force must meet at least four times yearly, with decisions requiring majority approval, and will be chaired by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission director.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates task force to address impaired driving, enhancing road safety - a key transportation safety measure per bill's focus on analyzing crashes and coordinating state efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

passed · Louisiana · House May 7, 2026

HB 488: TAX/SEVERANCE TAX: Establishes the Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund and provides for use of the monies in the fund (RE -$11,476,249 GF RV See Note)

HB 488 establishes the Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using 1/5 of severance tax revenues collected from Plaquemines Parish that would otherwise go to the state general fund. The fund's money must be used exclusively to reduce tolls on the Belle Chasse Bridge, pay developer costs for an early contract handback, cover annual inflation adjustments, or fund related transportation projects. It directly affects Plaquemines Parish residents (through severance tax contributions) and bridge users (through toll adjustments). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and creates a dedicated funding mechanism for the Belle Chasse Bridge public-private partnership contract.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates severance tax revenue specifically to fund bridge toll reductions and transportation projects, directly advancing infrastructure maintenance and user cost reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

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passed · Louisiana · House May 12, 2026

HB 896: HIGHWAYS: Requires toll signage, toll dispute procedures, and toll customer service centers at all toll facilities within a certain radius (RE1 DECREASE SG RV See Note)

HB 896 requires all Louisiana toll facilities to display real-time toll prices based on vehicle type, include clear fee notices on signage, and establish customer service centers within five miles of each location. It creates a formal process for drivers to dispute toll charges by submitting written requests to the toll operator. The bill also limits administrative fees for unpaid tolls to $25 per incident and caps annual fees at $48, while requiring toll operators to publish fee structures on signage. This directly affects drivers using toll roads (especially "toll-by-plate" users) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation (LaDOTD), which must implement these changes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires transparent toll signage, dispute procedures, and fee caps at toll facilities, enhancing user experience and fairness in transportation infrastructure management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 133: MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides relative to oversight of commercial vehicle parking. (8/1/26)

SB 133 requires commercial vehicle operators to submit written certification to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections before operating self-driving or remotely controlled commercial vehicles without a driver in the cab. The bill designates this department as the sole agency responsible for overseeing these vehicles on Louisiana highways. It also maintains the existing rule prohibiting parking on highway shoulders except in emergencies. This law directly affects commercial trucking companies and businesses using autonomous or teleoperated vehicles.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires certification for autonomous commercial vehicles, designates oversight agency, and maintains shoulder parking safety rules to enhance highway safety and regulatory oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing Freight