Caddo–Bossier Port transparency bill fails to clear committee after split vote

House Bill 480, which would have required greater local approval and transparency for payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) or pilot agreements involving the Caddo–Bossier Port, failed to advance from the House Transportation Committee after a 6–6 tie vote on May 19.

Rep. Danny McCormick introduced the bill as a measure to codify a requirement that affected taxing authorities — including the parish commission, sheriff and school board in Caddo Parish — review and approve pilot agreements that reduce property tax receipts for local taxing bodies. McCormick said the proposal is meant to give local elected bodies the fiscal data they need before tax abatements are finalized.

Supporters of the port and of the existing pilot process — including the Port of Caddo–Bossier’s attorney and the port’s general counsel — said the commission’s actions were public and that the port seeks local approvals as part of its process. Port and statewide port-association witnesses warned that adding statutory approval layers would slow “speed of business” and could deter investments by creating new uncertainty for developers.

McCormick described local cases in which he said a large solar project’s tax abatements significantly reduced projected revenues for small local entities such as volunteer fire districts. He said his intent was to require that taxing entities have explicit review and a clear vote or written approval before abatements proceed, and to supply assessing data to inform those decisions.

Caddo–Bossier Port representatives, the Port Association of Louisiana, and local mayors and commissioners testified the port had engaged taxing authorities and that the port’s audited financials are publicly available. Port counsel said the port’s process included asking impacted taxing bodies for approvals and that the port had obtained written commitments to compensate local entities in at least one instance.

After extended testimony from municipal leaders, port staff, legal counsel, and residents — and a close roll-call — Representative Tarver’s motion to report the bill favorably received a 6–6 result and the measure remained in committee.

What happened next: HB480 stays in committee after a tied vote; Representative McCormick said he will seek alternatives and work with staff and stakeholders to narrow or reframe his request for transparency and local review.

Sources: Committee proceedings and public testimony during the May 19 House Transportation Committee hearing.