Louisiana House committee advances House Bill 616 for New Orleans public-private projects

The Louisiana Legislature's Transportation Committee convened on May 12, 2025, to discuss critical transportation legislation, including House Bill 660 and House Bill 616, both aimed at improving state infrastructure and addressing funding challenges.

House Bill 660, which focuses on trailer registration fees, sparked significant discussion among committee members. Senator Shamarhorn highlighted the financial burden on the state, noting that over the past 18 months, Louisiana has allocated approximately $10 million from general funds to maintain trailer-related services. The bill aims to alleviate this financial strain by adjusting fees for lightweight trailers, which would be set at a minimal annual cost of $4.50. The committee expressed a commitment to ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, including truckers, to address their concerns and ensure the legislation meets the needs of all parties involved.

The committee also reviewed House Bill 616, which authorizes the City of New Orleans to engage in public-private partnerships for transportation projects. An amendment to the bill, presented as a substitute, aims to streamline the legislative process and clarify the roles of various stakeholders, including the Port of New Orleans and the Department of Transportation and Development. Representative Wright emphasized the importance of collaboration with local officials and stakeholders to refine the bill, which has been significantly shortened from its original draft.

The meeting concluded with a vote on House Bill 660, which passed with six votes in favor and three against, but will be recommitted to appropriations due to its fiscal implications. The committee plans to continue discussions on both bills in future sessions, underscoring the ongoing efforts to enhance Louisiana's transportation infrastructure and address funding challenges effectively.