[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6269729,"mediaKeyId","3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114","parentId",3040808,"title","Committee holds bill on emergency lights for trauma surgeons for further drafting after liability and training concerns","audioSeconds",949,"startMs",1745000,"endMs",2694000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114&start=1745&end=2694","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114/thumbnail_1745000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269729/Louisiana/Committee-holds-bill-on-emergency-lights-for-trauma-surgeons-for-further-drafting-after-liability-and-training-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269729-9a50d20917e70d3d7821673b191a99b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488230&Signature=HQyFJBCKwdKHjTtgKFNYSf43JHb~Zdn~E3Ba0mi-ywJeXyVKrD3~Z8XRXwtDziF9Ezj1E2meGOHDBbC3UOHdnlhbSEXEAdb8osmeT7njCPso1iNfGwCMoh-G303byvXPgmAm4aFrE2Kur0fAS5Ism-R7UqD-4Trtv989nzf-0EWdA6rMHabnsE-I4FAM9Ug8YzyaqC~5rTobSP1JSJ4V4vN7TVTmPkJhApCjvHPSGvd25TefY9VI2bA0n5dK3cBa9ehymhQ6juaisaSGTT2lqPWmmyOsGuAwCIeZP6AldzYlsdTOs5mClle43DurU1au9s-AGt7YDjR33-Py7hPtJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 155, which would allow certain trauma surgeons to operate motor vehicles with emergency lights and sirens when responding to bona fide life‑threatening emergencies, was held in committee for further language work after senators and state police raised training and liability concerns.

Senator Stein introduced the bill and said it was prompted by accounts from trauma surgeons who missed time‑sensitive operations because of traffic delays. “There’s been some very close calls... they feel that they could have saved a life or had a better done a better job with the surgery,” Stein said, describing cases where a surgeon’s delayed arrival may have affected outcomes.

The bill as presented would permit trauma‑1 surgeons to use lights and sirens to reach trauma‑1 centers; it directs the Department of Public Safety to promulgate rules including surgeon identification and verification procedures. Committee members, including Senator McMath and Senator Carter, and representatives of Louisiana State Police urged clarifications: limit the scope to surgeons actively practicing in-state, define which trauma centers qualify (members suggested adding level 2 and 3 centers), require training similar to that required for emergency vehicle operators, and address liability and insurance questions.

Kevin Lance of the Louisiana State Police told the committee that law enforcement had discussed language to help clarify how officers would interact with surgeons using emergency privileges and emphasized training needs for safe high‑speed driving. Senators also discussed whether existing liability standards for volunteer emergency responders would apply to physician drivers.

After extended discussion, Senator McMath proposed staff and sponsor work to tighten the bill’s language and retain it in committee for a week for revisions; the sponsor agreed and rescinded a prior motion to advance the bill. The chairman confirmed the bill would be held so staff could prepare clarified language for future consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Apr 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 155, which would permit certain trauma surgeons to use emergency lights and sirens when driving to trauma centers, was held for further work after senators and state police raised questions about scope, training and liability.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269734,"Committee reports bill strengthening left-lane rule, increasing fines for repeat violations",430,1276000,1706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114&start=1276&end=1706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114/thumbnail_1276000.jpg","/articles/6269734/Louisiana/Committee-reports-bill-strengthening-left-lane-rule-increasing-fines-for-repeat-violations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269734-87aa98607d91a7aaa14bc2a91829528c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488230&Signature=Alq9v0Oi2oUDCuutFOdnNsJgRxhS9o9q3nJ0q~1SNpt5JaWTiZqE0Rwbv65CqbjPHaMtcynv4dHV0K7MUbB1GAwKxz5YkWnZuBGJONB86dgg3W96Ji2DNrnEy2WrfXAgygRY7eOSV55parADHfXuofeYeizuNe~Tg8YJS1Vm8ZTRIveBZk~NPjZPly-F~1QsobfjT1fiRmALYwOz4lsCQjmo9abBYMAqA~ZDLdPK4yGp4iWqseAXr~xYwQtkp0XB2cTsGKbdBmqiw80x6sq3-KY91Ouhjs-ZEadqEcqwgUAAZsVex7GfIvAuKyDhxRNonJoOWjEmMWKSp0XXrOfCyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation reported Senate Bill 11 favorably after debate on enforcement and public-safety rationales for tightening left‑lane rules on multilane highways.

Senator Centolino, the bill sponsor, told the committee that current law makes the left lane for passing only and that the statute’s 10‑mile‑per‑hour deviation requirement impedes enforcement. “That law that's in place provides for $100 fine... I didn't think that that was had a lot of teeth in it,” Centolino said, arguing that removing the 10‑mph deviation clause would give officers discretion to enforce the left‑lane restriction more effectively.

Under the bill as presented, the first offense would carry a $150 fine, a second offense within 12 months would be $250, and a third offense within 12 months of the second would be $350 with up to 30 days in jail at the court’s discretion. Committee members asked whether the law was currently enforced and whether the statutory language would create practical enforcement challenges; several members expressed support for the bill as a traffic-safety measure.

Senator Carter asked for clarification that the current statute required a 10‑mph deviation before a ticket could be issued; Centolino confirmed the existing language and that the bill removes that requirement and vests discretion with officers. Senator Wheat and others voiced support, and Senator McMath moved to report the bill favorably. The chairman called for objections and, hearing none, the committee reported SB11 out favorably by voice consent. The transcript includes no roll‑call tally.","Senate Bill 11, which removes a 10-mph deviation requirement and raises fines for repeated left-lane violations, was reported favorably by the committee after sponsors argued enforcement gaps make the current $100 fine ineffective.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269739,"Committee clears bill removing bonding cap for Central Louisiana Regional Port",226,1024000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114&start=1024&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6269739/Louisiana/Committee-clears-bill-removing-bonding-cap-for-Central-Louisiana-Regional-Port","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269739-bc7214c36049c5f3a4806728e265fcb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488230&Signature=NgWRUhwmG-68XFJy4-DlLg647aTGpyQhVT3ftTSF8cyv0-M-0XFAq1wKmVeIIava8E9WgN2bDMbru2QMN3dFCPLYbtmJ-0s4E~-fFqkMYuCbuBb-GCL~gISVimpHAHsVZc~xDb2COh~4mLkpUVL~jlguZibF5HNy8pr8kiUeX1lXBWGVCglWXgZZydcZ2yrtgK9tCEmaBRrMAlkVPAllP1I21rc0uOUC5-CzZmnNVbG70aVBDbKCOcUrp~9JCtdBE05PZ2WGQsOWVKdNlggSpblO5sBQEX-QJq-cNbQLByg7~YRf18GIJnP4k7yK8EpGlDrGydEbsZhCR1X~mpqOjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation voted without objection to approve Senate Bill 50, a local bill that removes a $10 million statutory cap on the Central Louisiana Regional Port’s bonding authority and allows the state Bond Commission to determine any future bonding limit by formula.

Senator Francis Luneau introduced the bill and turned the presentation to Ben Russo, executive director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port. Russo told the committee the port’s original enabling language contained an artificial cap that prevented the port from using the Bond Commission’s formula to determine appropriate bonding capacity. “When Central Louisiana Regional Port started… our enabling language had an artificial limit that was put on the bonding capacity,” Russo said, noting the port had never before issued bonds and that the cap could hinder future projects.

The bill removes the $10 million cap and restores the Bond Commission’s formula-based determination. Vice Chair Carter moved to approve the bill, and the chairman announced approval without objection. Supporters who filed cards included Ben Russo for the port, Jennifer Merzak of the Ports Association of Louisiana and Julia Cormier with the Commission on Multimodal Commerce.

Committee members emphasized that the Bond Commission retains a formula and criteria to assess any borrowing and that removing the cap does not automatically grant unlimited debt authority. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript; the chairman announced the bill was approved by unanimous consent.","Senate Bill 50, which removes a $10 million bonding cap in the port’s enabling language and returns bonding limits to the state Bond Commission formula, was approved by the committee without objection after testimony from port officials and supporters.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269744,"Senate committee approves Amite River Basin Commission 2025 plan amid questions on Corps projects and funding",785,201000,986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114&start=201&end=986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040808-4dec2381c01a0afbf436ebef55080114/thumbnail_201000.jpg","/articles/6269744/Louisiana/Senate-committee-approves-Amite-River-Basin-Commission-2025-plan-amid-questions-on-Corps-projects-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269744-56da83257886c7393a33e37d193cf4b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776488230&Signature=Ss-VqO7cP7~66oFslslBpQD0Ph9etB~t-ue2d0QdfePFvpVOBC7fqIqKQT0UlvFWdBNzxIaWHEpqyvirjOzxm-Ns4MT6SN5CiH5Z6m~mASvjvp-da0npVaYNbJPrQKiGuLE95FN4K~JHL6i7OfnuaWOh8a04FQZlcUj1tHwlgWZKGybZIAnxh2sZbQnMXJGYDRsXMjc-UaXhpAQdgCEbRvsMmtzEpfzVTfe9ZhlSVYDU5R9z7RbX5kUdA0xJI4rCbggXAAn1PecrQHUhsAePw09LS1AVHOt6iX8uLNZYudKSINNfwZkOBCoMX-Lc76DFwryEI47c~kkkVBJOgWHSjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Louisiana Senate Committee on Transportation approved the Amite River Basin Commission’s 2025 annual plan without objection after questions from senators about project timelines and funding.

The commission’s presenter described several ongoing projects and funding sources, saying the Comite River diversion canal is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project and “probably has about 3 more years before they complete that project.” The presenter said the commission is using roughly $100 million to develop a pump system in the lower Amite basin and pursuing sediment removal and levee connections in multiple parishes. “That project was essentially conceived out of the record disaster event that occurred in 1983, so let's call that a 1983 solution,” the presenter said.

Senator Zane Abraham moved to approve the annual plan; the chairman asked for objections and, hearing none, declared the plan approved. Committee members pressed the presenter on which projects are currently under construction and on how federal, parish and commission roles and funding intersect. The presenter said the commission is a project partner, not the primary owner, on some large works: “We are a signatory, we are a project partner with the Corps of Engineers,” and noted the Balanced Budget Act of 2018 had provided full federal funding for the Comite project.

During questioning, the presenter described several illustrative cost figures included in the plan as not the commission’s direct budget: the Comite-related total figure was listed at $970 million and other line items included a Lower Amite River entry of $50 million and Bayou Manchac amounts that were shown as illustrative rather than commission-held funds. The presenter said the commission manages roughly $100 million of approximately $400 million allocated through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative for Region 9/Amite River Basin and that some parish partners were executing contracts directly because they had greater capacity to do so.

Senators also raised localized flood concerns, including the Interstate 12 barrier at Denham Springs. When asked about the interstate acting as a wall, the presenter said the commission’s master plan targets 100-year storm events and that “if we can drain the system more efficiently... then I‑12 becomes much less a problem.” The presenter noted FEMA and the Federal Highway Administration are working on related roadway protections.

The committee approved the plan by voice consensus after Senator Abraham made the motion. The meeting record shows no roll-call tally; the chairman announced approval after asking if there were objections.

The plan will proceed with the commission and its parish partners coordinating project delivery and execution.","The committee approved the Amite River Basin Commission's 2025 annual plan without objection. Committee members questioned the status of large Corps of Engineers and local projects, funding sources and execution strategies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee holds bill on emergency lights for trauma surgeons for further drafting after liability and training concerns

Committee reports bill strengthening left-lane rule, increasing fines for repeat violations

Committee clears bill removing bonding cap for Central Louisiana Regional Port

Senate committee approves Amite River Basin Commission 2025 plan amid questions on Corps projects and funding