Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
New Orleans mayor urges support for bill to clear combustible storage under bridges after repeated fires
Loading...
Summary
Mayor Helena Moreno and health officials told the committee HB 864 would close a legal gap and let cities remove flammable materials stored under bridges and other structures to protect critical infrastructure and public safety. The committee reported the bill favorably.
Representative Knox told the committee HB 864 would establish a fire limit to prohibit storage of flammable materials under certain state or municipal structures, after several fires underneath bridges in New Orleans that forced structural assessments and closures.
Mayor Helena Moreno said the city has seen repeated fires under bridges that caused structural damage and expensive repairs. "During the month of, I believe it was November, we had 3 major fires, same area in a period of 9 days...that ended up costing the state seven figures to try to make all of those repairs," she said. Jeanne Donovan of the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services explained the city's local ordinances include protections for people experiencing homelessness and that HB 864 clarifies when possessions may be removed if they pose an imminent risk to critical infrastructure and public safety.
Committee members asked whether local ordinances already prohibit such storage; witnesses said there is statutory gray area because some locations are state right‑of‑way and departments such as DOTD need enabling law to act. After brief questioning, the committee moved HB 864 favorably with no recorded objections.
