HB 542 by Rep. Steve Carter - heard in Ways and Means Committee on May 20. Proponents of the bill strongly advocated for its passage, however, given the late date of a hearing on the bill, the author voluntarily deferred the measure. The intent of a hearing was to demonstrate the broad support for road and bridge investment in Louisiana. There was general bi-partisan support on the committee for more investment in infrastructure but not necessarily wide support for a gas tax.

While the gas tax did not pass, four measures making their way through the process will significantly increase funding for infrastructure:

HB 578 by Rep. Tanner Magee - Am ended in Senate Finance Committee, the bill significantly increases infrastructure funding to almost $700 million. The bill was initially filed to allocate $50 million of the Deepwater Horizon proceeds to two projects: Phase II of LA 1 project and LA 425 Connector. The amended bill allows for the $50 million to be bonded to expand the number of projects that can be funded (which are limited to that allowed under the settlement).  ACECL supports the bill and was present in committee during the hearing. Click here for list of projects funded The bill is pending Senate Floor final passage. HB 578
Senate finance amendments adopted PENDING SENATE FLOOR ACTION
HB 617 (substitute for HB 589 – Leger)  - Adds authority to build, tax and bond a hotel and parking garage at the Ernest Morial Convention Center. PENDING SENATE FLOOR ACTION
HB 522 by Abramson – allows city to resume levy of 1% sales and use taxes on hotel rooms that was suspended while city had an occupancy tax to pay Superdome bonds.  Allows it to be restored starting July 1, 2019 and dedicates proceeds to the infrastructure fund. PENDING SENATE FLOOR ACTION
HB 43 by Harris – authorizes City of New Orleans to levy an occupancy tax of 6.75% on short term rentals and dedicates 75% of proceeds to infrastructure fund. ENROLLED

SB 233 - Gary Smith.  The passed bill increases the contract limit that requires public bid for public work related to drainage projects done by regular maintenance employees in St. Charles Parish. As a result of testimony, the author filed resolutions to create the Public Works Contracts Task Force to study the feasibility of increasing the contract limit applicable to all public works contracts. At our request, ACECL is a member of the Task Force. Committee testimony suggested the additional cost to engage engineers when projects are issued for contracting. SB 233 SR 188 (pending Senate consideration) and SCR 113 (pending House referral).

HB 196 by Rep. Reid Falconer - The original bill removed LAPELS and LSBAE from the statute providing for the statute of limitations on disciplinary proceedings. The bill was amended early in the process to only exempt LAPELS/LSBAE from the section of law relative to the notification period. In Senate Commerce the bill was further amended to only exempt LAPELS/LSBAE from the portion of the notification section that requires a hearing be held within six months of notification of the hearing. It retains the requirement that a licensee be notified of a complaint within six months. Draft Senate floor amendment language clarifies that LAPELS/LSBAE shall notify the licensee who is specifically named in the complaint as the subject of the complaint within six moths. PENDING SENATE FLOOR ACTION. HB 196

Contact Doreen Brasseaux with any questions.