Committee advances bill to create New Orleans pilot innovation hub for municipal procurement testing

Senate Bill 384, filed by Senator Harris, cleared the Senate Commerce Committee with amendments after a two‑hour discussion about scope, competitive selection and funding.

The bill would authorize a pilot innovation hub and create a pathway for local startups to test products with city agencies so they can collect performance data that supports later procurement. Senator Harris said the measure is intended to expand New Orleans’ economic brand beyond tourism by creating opportunities for local startups to access public sector procurement.

Leo Jon Arnett, director of policy and research in the New Orleans mayor’s office, explained that the amendment clarifies the pilot designation, the contractor role and authorizes political subdivisions to participate. Cameron Poole of NewLab New Orleans said NewLab would operate programs to test solutions, provide evaluation and not guarantee long‑term procurement contracts. Poole described NewLab’s prior work in New York and Detroit and said the proposed approach is intended to create an ‘‘open call’’ for innovators and contractors rather than preselect winners.

Several senators, including Senator Morris, asked how the contractor or the city would write selection criteria and whether future administrations could draft specifications that favor particular businesses. Committee members pressed for objective, transparent competitive procedures; Arnett and Poole said competitive criteria would be developed in the governing resolution and the contractor’s procurement documents, and the city would be involved in rulemaking and oversight. Committee members also asked about funding; witnesses said the bill contains no state funding commitment and that the hub would seek private funding or municipal/state support if pursued later.

After questions from the committee and a review of support cards, the committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 384 with amendments.