[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6210456,"mediaKeyId","3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b","parentId",3719050,"title","Senate committee advances DOTD reorganization bills creating Office of Transformation and highway construction entity","audioSeconds",1374,"startMs",64030,"endMs",1438450,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b&start=64&end=1438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b/thumbnail_64030.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210456/Louisiana/Senate-committee-advances-DOTD-reorganization-bills-creating-Office-of-Transformation-and-highway-construction-entity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210456-86b4410da11803f849188d2339f2f504/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442929&Signature=HhFdGgLLtjmO93RZWjWaxl0QvAGPdFwcCwggMZ5BRxkGrGb6Xzzbm4Lm~dsITtzkW17YITdOCscTAU9-BBP3DlBGVmCCq3UvnLMJ-JXyVwcq15ZYTxF9UHaEK-osoa~E2yLbqvHv9-dsHpaZxspScMYgqOBpzA4EditgWMvja49-bFFyb4F-~AX9JVSbj1qrg-vyyINeIzzfHtMv7yc1yyQnuTcP~jHOkLlObjoFn72vSHcvDqheWV5A1IUH4LHSktaEm46JctrQEr0OVWKA4ueTy9Y53-L~z2aN4~4ugHbrLV4Q4jiw8x8Sk-zMAdYH6Oo9BL8L1C~6VjewS3Hcww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Transportation advanced a package of bills on June 4, 2025 that would reorganize the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and create new offices intended to speed project delivery and increase transparency.

Representative Ryan Borak, the bill sponsor on the first of the package, told the committee the effort began in January and grew from oversight hearings, an executive order from the governor and a Boston Consulting Group review. \"House Bill 556 establishes the office of transformation. It also provides for a deputy secretary position and an assistant secretary for project delivery,\" Borak said during his presentation. He said the package also adjusts the highway priority program process and aims to improve communications with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the public.

The committee adopted several amendment sets during the hearing. Borak summarized the largest amendment set as 35 changes; he said 17 were technical, 10 addressed overlaps between the assistant secretary and the chief engineer, amendment 21 added a regional economic development duty tied to workforce development, and amendment 34 raised a liquidated-damages rate for utility relocation from 0.05% to 0.15%.

Retired DOTD employee David Miller testified during the public-comment period and warned about increased outsourcing under the proposed structure. \"The cost for the outsourcing of the grass cutting is between 40 to 80% more than what the in house costs are,\" Miller said. He and others said substantial portions of DOTD work are already contracted out—Miller estimated \"probably 70% of the pre design\" and large shares of maintenance tasks—and cautioned additional outsourcing could reduce services without more funding. Miller also cited a departmental figure he said shows DOTD spends about $22 in pre-construction activity to achieve $100 in construction.

Committee members asked how the bills would change hiring and reporting. Senator Michael Price questioned whether the governor made appointments to the assistant-secretary post; Borak said the assistant secretary and deputy secretary would be appointed \"as he does with other executive level positions\" and that those appointees would serve at the pleasure of the governor. Price also clarified that civil service references were removed from the bills; Borak said the legislation would not change civil service law.

House Bill 528, a companion measure, includes key performance indicators for DOTD, duties for the Office of Transformation and had language about the Transportation Trust Fund removed after fiscal and federal concerns. House Bill 640 would create an Office of Louisiana Highway Construction intended to focus on non-federal-aid highways and allow cooperative endeavor agreements, cost-share partnerships and some public-private partnership tools. Borak and other witnesses said the office would be housed in the Division of Administration and the executive director would serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Borak and Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue told the committee the department is already implementing many of the measures being codified and that an interactive public dashboard (an \"interactive map\") remains part of the plan. Borak noted the legislature previously provided districts with funding for equipment and materials and cited a recent legislative allocation of about $63,000,000 to each of DOTD's nine districts as an example of concurrent investment in operations.

Committee action: The panel adopted amendment sets and advanced the bills by voice vote or by motion without recorded roll call. A motion by Senator Patrick Abraham reported House Bill 556 as amended; Senator Mike Price moved to report House Bill 528 as amended; and a motion by Senator Abraham reported House Bill 640 favorably. A companion House Concurrent Resolution 45 directing further study of district makeup and rural infrastructure coordination was adopted without objection.

The bills now move to the Senate calendar for further consideration.

Ending: Supporters said the measures are intended to improve project delivery and transparency; critics and some speakers cautioned that increased outsourcing could raise costs and reduce in‑house capacity if additional funding is not provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation Committee - June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Transportation advanced a package of bills on June 4, 2025 to reorganize the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, creating an Office of Transformation, new senior positions and a separate Louisiana Highway Construction office intended to speed project delivery and increase public transparency.","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},6210436,"Committee sends resolution to study an Alzheimer’s identification card to OMB",142,4176670,4319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b&start=4176&end=4319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b/thumbnail_4176670.jpg","/articles/6210436/Louisiana/Committee-sends-resolution-to-study-an-Alzheimers-identification-card-to-OMB","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210436-e37087980c189f6d38a612cb8d5e0fc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442929&Signature=JgCrWRAixPrR8JAAsUwlkECn6WnCk6M7vlSqBo-Dg0VKJSeMHnGVRGF609wSTftEGmjNxIR9yJDrmdDKTWRVaxCp6vFYYs4STQ0CvOsqnfFERR8ZnoUlQ9zqDvBwMx3GYkm3yVMq1bO8rPyd8PHpcsMPJP8UCsF-Cy51uXuwcL1IBKEIyFeRdbUsKABMClrOIAvazi8VMmt3lmfSv~~L65grEg4xxYxRVsAHPxyF~Ho1WXPwYdQm8Mkv0j91BbBxa~QZ1ZpqlxzzVv2z6hYLpHgcXTidr28QeANpxDfWK-O3mMIOBzSCgTS03rsHBL3R8RFJNqQ8-SzQ0Nq~uGjGRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 unanimously reported House Concurrent Resolution 42, which asks the Office of Management and Budget to study the potential utility of an Alzheimer’s identification card.

Representative Waters, sponsor of the resolution, told the committee that Louisiana has about 94,000 residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and that an identification card could help families, law enforcement and bank employees recognize when extra care is needed. \"A lot of times when people get dementia ... they may walk away from their home for miles or they may drive and people don't know who they are,\" Waters said, explaining how an ID card could prevent exploitation and assist in reunification.

Senator Patrick Abraham asked whether other states issue such cards; the sponsor replied the state would be the first. Abraham supported the resolution and moved it favorably; the motion carried without objection.

Ending: The OMB will study the potential form, use cases and costs of an Alzheimer’s identification card and report back as directed by the resolution.","The Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 unanimously reported House Concurrent Resolution 42, asking the Office of Management and Budget to study whether an Alzheimer’s identification card would help families and first responders identify and assist people with dementia and prevent exploitation.",{"_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},6210441,"Senate panel approves North Caddo Medical Center CMAR contract path for a $4.5 million clinic project",288,3872580,4161110,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b&start=3872&end=4161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b/thumbnail_3872580.jpg","/articles/6210441/Louisiana/Senate-panel-approves-North-Caddo-Medical-Center-CMAR-contract-path-for-a-45-million-clinic-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210441-c9ec8293260ded7b5c724fdb024694f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442929&Signature=IOciR6CIT4tT-lggy7m~6WR~4i22cJ180UbH~SD7isVY1VX1HlWn4Qc120Y~xgdny7uxpA47Sap8XoKZYaN6MTuU1WW0LQbOdNiIfyyiYEhosOgweHSW9jQDI6Ne1clzyu6l1WCyMUO464MMnqtiogznMUm1gjI-NwIf3oJ68hOy2yfzocTloMtvH~VwYw8lkk6Pvm2leEiwiNDg4qLS9Y92RobHXnIwLZb5PZlAZKT7JElL~m0AJFFJL4qJ7DQocYLpq8xxYkAlDHPMxycf4a~dbLmOskySzXnSU5fX6txlVO1O7eply4MBSILS3SzmOiWDikrIHjCv3Y5~Tps8Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 approved a request from the North Caddo Hospital Service District to use a construction‑manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) delivery method for a planned outpatient clinic in Bossier City.

Brent Leonard, controller at North Caddo Medical Center, told the committee the project — a three‑provider rural health clinic with outpatient therapy, radiology and a pharmacy — is estimated at about $4.5 million. Leonard said prior projects that followed a more traditional design‑bid‑build process exposed the district to design choices that later produced higher costs; he said CMAR would let the builder and architect coordinate earlier to control cost and material choices, citing examples such as window and roofing decisions.

Senator Michael Wheat asked whether the district had used CMAR previously; Leonard said this was the district's first CMAR request. Senator Wheat moved to approve the CMAR authorization; the motion carried without objection.

Ending: The committee granted the CMAR path for the North Caddo clinic; the district and legislators said they expect closer contractor–designer coordination to reduce unforeseen costs and improve project delivery.","The Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 approved the North Caddo Hospital Service District's request to use the construction-manager-at-risk model for a planned $4.5 million clinic in Bossier City; the district said CMAR will better integrate builder and designer input and manage choices affecting cost and resiliency.",{"_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},6210446,"Committee approves higher spending limit for state parks emergency repairs, with reporting and sunset requirements",160,1712030,1872490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b&start=1712&end=1872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b/thumbnail_1712030.jpg","/articles/6210446/Louisiana/Committee-approves-higher-spending-limit-for-state-parks-emergency-repairs-with-reporting-and-sunset-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210446-3318e0be9cccceb438331bed0fd61d69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442929&Signature=FPvYPdD97B9nOjbvK24m4xN86ySzD6Hq6v5xYOcA1M8b4l3TThqAHflgLQKHHwC73VHeUp5Cosor5Z~GX1U4xkiG9pKUSwBS7QbIoGTExF7hWUkfkDRJinV1U8XipFQYiFy2yVhhMfsr~K5Mm0OKe8XBUiU2Fx3c814qLS5fZZrmsa~Mgu6f8~Ew8Ktfpikv3zlFKzJrZGCWO3orRrNG35ry0CUt3~EyazdziT4X8T4tzDntHi~9xgozL-rX~ofeD9nK5gRaKpPsifCtZB~qxAwe21tYhrsvSJqZft9OxpSH3OpWbRc8fCK0hdYuY51cMYNyf6DSM~6sVloGJhszxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee reported House Bill 297 on June 4, a measure that would increase the statutory contract limit for public‑works projects at the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (state parks) from $250,000 to $1,000,000 for certain projects.

Representative Thompson, the sponsor, told the committee the change aims to speed repairs and reduce long delays in restoring park facilities after storms. Brannan Burrows of State Parks said the department would still conduct a formal public‑bid process and that the substitute includes safeguards: an annual report to the House and Senate oversight committees and an automatic sunset provision after four years.

Secretary Roger Hauser of the Division of Administration provided information at the request of the committee. After discussion, Vice Chair Carter moved to report House Bill 297 favorably; the motion carried without objection.

Ending: The bill advances with reporting and a four‑year sunset; supporters said it will allow faster repairs after storm damage while retaining oversight and a public‑bid requirement.","The Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 reported House Bill 297, which raises the contract spending threshold for the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism's state parks public‑works projects from $250,000 to $1 million, with an annual reporting requirement and a four‑year sunset in the substitute language.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210451,"Residents, advocacy groups oppose changes to levee nominating committee in House bill before Senate transportation panel",825,1915120,2740410,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b&start=1915&end=2740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3719050-d201b21d07c09a792148231b7439cd1b/thumbnail_1915120.jpg","/articles/6210451/Louisiana/Residents-advocacy-groups-oppose-changes-to-levee-nominating-committee-in-House-bill-before-Senate-transportation-panel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210451-57df7c4c15233299bc6c8bde5f62b587/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442929&Signature=NIblCVls9Rg1BDbvtzAm6WoiVugVe5lPnCBvd9GoKFSHVINpWu51wyEe9qQ~y8e-Gx7N7ma805n6t09p8N3FliSWIeeBsHxJgQwc8-DXeldnCKZwBIFaQP9IvSC2fI8NZJey48edoPx-xTKWg6HCPAQqVnH~46OnA3nfcBUvO5A0F4jmhU4vLo2EqbV5NiDAm8ilCFwFNurS486QHgyDhzGo76qG1qR~z3oSxcuSvZ0GT0ojs7HknVd3VOKB7IM~CcQJSTszTHxY9v7Dz0YOFtCaI8O2LtGpOgDcNP3QPc9~DFlDuDNhagkmP3mD9434Y9q3spw4FxNZmlRZkVvysA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, engineers and other residents told the Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 they oppose a House bill that would alter the nominating process for members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East and West.

Ruth E. Frierson, founder of Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, urged the committee to preserve the post‑Katrina, nonpolitical nominating structure that she said led to more technical, expert boards. \"Why would we wanna dismantle the post Katrina reforms voters overwhelmingly passed and that have protected New Orleans for nearly 20 years?\" Frierson asked. She described the earlier reforms as the basis for a more expert, single‑focus flood protection regime and said returning to a more political system would be dangerous for public safety.

Blair Duchene, chair of Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, told the committee the East authority has seen rapid turnover and governance disruption since the governor appointed a new board president in late 2024. Duchene said multiple board members and senior staff resigned, leaving the board with only five of nine members at one point and impairing the authority's ability to take two‑thirds votes required for infrastructure decisions and tax measures. \"This series of events has occurred in just 6 months, and it can be directly linked to the reintroduction of political influence on flood protection,\" Duchene said.

Supporters of the revised bill, including the sponsor and organizations that had participated in negotiations, said the current substitute version retains an independent nominating committee and adds clarifications, such as making the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority the custodian of nominating-committee records and authorizing the attorney general's office to provide counsel to the committee. Steven Brigopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, said the bill had been improved substantially from its original form and urged continued stakeholder engagement.

Craig Dooley, a licensed professional engineer, told the committee the governance dispute has direct public‑safety and economic implications. \"How is this bill making the public safe?\" he asked, urging lawmakers to consider the potential budget and infrastructure impacts if governance problems delay projects.

Representative Bro (bill sponsor) told the committee the June substitute reflects negotiations with stakeholders and limited the bill to nominating‑committee changes; he said the chairmanship and some board appointment questions remain subject to separate legislation passed last year. The committee adopted amendments including: technical fixes, a requirement that the nominating committee submit nominees for expected vacancies no later than 30 days before the regular session, permission for some members to serve a third term after 06/01/2025, and an effective‑upon‑governor signature provision.

A motion to report the bill with amendments was made and, after no recorded objections, the committee reported the measure to the Senate calendar with amendments.

Ending: The debate reflects continuing, unresolved tensions over how to balance technical expertise and political accountability in levee governance more than 20 years after Hurricane Katrina; the bill moves forward with amendments and will face additional review in the Senate and possibly further adjustments.","Dozens of speakers and community groups told the Senate Transportation Committee June 4 that proposed changes to the nominating process for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authorities risk reintroducing political influence to boards created after Hurricane Katrina; the committee reported the bill with amendments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee advances DOTD reorganization bills creating Office of Transformation and highway construction entity

Committee sends resolution to study an Alzheimer’s identification card to OMB

Senate panel approves North Caddo Medical Center CMAR contract path for a $4.5 million clinic project

Committee approves higher spending limit for state parks emergency repairs, with reporting and sunset requirements

Residents, advocacy groups oppose changes to levee nominating committee in House bill before Senate transportation panel