Patriot Rail executive and port director urge Madison Parish to reconsider support for House Bill 116

The Madison Parish Police Jury added Patriot Rail to its agenda and heard from a Patriot Rail executive and the Port Commission's director about concerns over House Bill 116.

Tom Tisa, chief commercial officer for Patriot Rail, addressed the jury to express Patriot Rail’s opposition to House Bill 116, legislation that would create the Northeast Louisiana Multimodal District. The jury approved an amendment to the agenda to hear the item after President Jane Sanders requested the addition; Vice‑President Johnny Hughes moved to add the item and Dave Wilson seconded the motion.

The Port Commission’s executive director, Mrs. Sterling, told the jury she was concerned about potential local impacts if the parish continued to support the bill and asked the jury to consider rescinding earlier support by sending a formal letter. The panel did not vote on sending a letter and made no commitment at the meeting to do so.

There was no recorded formal debate or recorded vote on House Bill 116 itself during the session; the discussion consisted of the Patriot Rail presentation and the Port director’s request for reconsideration. President Sanders said she would contact members of the Madison Parish Economic and Industrial Development District to seek more information on the district’s status.

The jury did not take further formal action on the bill at the March 23 meeting; any future letter or directive would be subject to a subsequent agenda and motion.