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LouisianaHB 6872025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Authorizes the Port of New Orleans to utilize public private partnerships for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor roadway project (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX See Note)

Sponsored By: Mark Wright

Signed by Governor

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Port gains tools for corridor road

The Port of New Orleans can use public-private partnerships to develop the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor. The road links the Louisiana International Terminal to interstate highways and provides alternate local and evacuation routes. The Port can accept public and private support; the law sets no funding amount. On agreed terms, the state transportation department can provide available funds and staff for studies and engineering, or accept the completed road. The department must approve features affecting state highways. Final partnership agreements need legislative transportation committee approval, but not Louisiana Transportation Authority approval or participation. Partnerships must follow state partnership rules and include performance and payment bonds meeting or exceeding state transportation contract requirements.

Corridor property gets a tax exemption

The corridor road and its associated property are exempt from Louisiana taxation. The exemption applies even when a private partner is involved. The law gives no dollar value for the exemption and creates no direct household tax break.

Corridor drivers face tolls and fees

The Port can charge tolls or user fees for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, but the law sets no rates. Its toll powers include electronic collection, vehicle-record access, administrative fees, violation notices, and appeal hearings. Late charges, penalties, and sanctions can apply for nonpayment. People legally entitled to free passage on Louisiana toll roads and bridges keep free, unhampered passage.

Port can acquire corridor owners’ property

The Port can obtain public or private land, buildings, or property-use rights needed for the corridor road. It can use donation, purchase, exchange, lease, or expropriation—a forced transfer under eminent domain. Any expropriation must follow applicable laws, including required compensation procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark Wright

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Jason Hughes

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Shaun Raphael Mena

    Democratic • House

  • Sylvia Elaine Taylor

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 121 • No: 24

Senate vote • 6/3/2025

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 5/19/2025

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 75, nays 21. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 75 • No: 21

House vote • 5/13/2025

Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 616 reported by the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works

Yes: 10 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 217.

    6/8/2025House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2025.

    6/8/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    6/5/2025House

  4. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    6/4/2025House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    6/4/2025Senate

  6. Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    6/3/2025Senate

  7. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    6/3/2025House

  8. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    6/1/2025Senate

  9. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    6/1/2025Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    5/29/2025Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    5/21/2025Senate

  12. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    5/20/2025Senate

  13. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 75, nays 21. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    5/19/2025House

  14. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2025.

    5/15/2025House

  15. Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/14/2025House

  16. Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 616 reported by the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works (10-3).

    5/13/2025House

Bill Text

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