Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Senate panel backs bill letting state assume NEPA reviews to speed projects
Loading...
Summary
The Senate Transportation Committee reported SB115 favorably after DOTD and its secretary said the bill would let Louisiana assume FHWA/USDOT NEPA responsibilities where the federal agencies agree, letting the state control timelines for categorical exclusions, environmental assessments and EISs to accelerate project delivery.
Senate Bill 115, a Department of Transportation and Development-sponsored measure, was reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works after lawmakers heard department testimony that the change would let the state perform certain federal environmental reviews if federal agencies agree.
The bill, introduced by Senator Foyle, authorizes Louisiana to accept NEPA assignment from the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation and to seek federal funds to carry out those studies, the secretary of the department said. "We are taking on what FHWA and USDOT deem NEPA assignment," Secretary Glenn Laday told the committee, saying the change includes categorical exclusions initially and could extend to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.
Supporters told the panel the measure is intended to shorten lengthy review timelines for major projects. Secretary Laday pointed to projects where environmental impact statements have taken decades and said a limited waiver of sovereign immunity in the bill would let the state undertake reviews and defend them, while the Department of Justice would still handle legal defense costs in many cases.
Senator Abraham asked whether the state would assume additional legal responsibilities; Laday said the state would assume liability but still pay for its defense through DOJ processes. Committee members emphasized that the state must follow NEPA's substantive requirements even if it takes on procedural responsibility.
A motion by Senator Abraham to report SB115 favorably was adopted without objection. The committee did not take a roll-call vote on the item and reported SB115 to the full Senate for further consideration.
