HLS 10RS-297 REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 1220
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUTTER
BRIDGES/FERRIES: Transfers operational control of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge
AN ACT1
To authorize the transfer of operational control of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge across the2
Inner-Harbor Navigation Canal in the city of New Orleans from the Board of3
Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans to the Department of Transportation and4
Development.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. The Department of Transportation and Development of the state of7
Louisiana, hereinafter referred to as the "department", shall assume operational control from8
the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, hereinafter referred to as the9
"board", of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge across the Inner-Harbor Navigation Canal in the10
city of New Orleans, including all responsibilities to third parties with respect to said bridge11
as may have been assumed by contract by the board. "Operational control" as used herein12
shall mean the duty to open and close the St. Claude Avenue Bridge to vehicular or marine13
traffic and shall not include routine, major, capitalized, or any other kind of maintenance.14
Section 2. The transfer and assumption of operational control of said bridge and said15
contractual obligations shall be self-operative on July 1, 2011, and said board and16
department are directed to cooperate in assuring that the transfer of responsibilities herein17
authorized and directed is accomplished as expeditiously and in the most orderly manner18
possible.19
Section 3. Except for the transfer of responsibilities hereby affected, nothing herein20
contained shall be deemed or construed as granting or conferring jurisdiction or21 HLS 10RS-297 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1220
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responsibility upon the department over the Inner-Harbor Navigation Canal, or the lands1
adjoining same or any operations conducted or that may be conducted therein or thereon, all2
rights, powers, and duties of the board with respect to same being hereby expressly reserved.3
Section 4. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed or construed to be in4
derogation or abrogation of any contract that may have been entered into by the board with5
respect to said bridge, the rights of all contracting parties with respect thereto being hereby6
expressly preserved to the extent that they presently exist and are lawfully enforceable,7
provided, however, that the department shall perform and be responsible for the obligations8
of the board under such contracts, to the extent that they concern the said bridge, and shall9
defend and hold harmless said board with respect to same.10
Section 5. The department shall offer employment to bridge operators employed by11
the board as of December 1, 2010.12
Section 6. The provisions of this Act shall supersede and take precedence over any13
contrary or conflicting general or specific provision of law.14
Section 7. The St. Claude Avenue Bridge shall hereafter be known and designated15
as the "Homer Plessy Bridge". The department shall erect appropriate signage reflecting this16
designation.17
Section 8. This Act shall be effective on July 1, 2011.18
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hutter HB No. 1220
Abstract: Authorizes the transfer of operational control of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge
from the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans to DOTD.
Authorizes the transfer of operational control of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge from the
Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans to DOTD.
Designates the St. Claude Avenue Bridge as the "Homer Plessy Bridge" and requires DOTD
to erect signage indicating such designation.
Effective July 1, 2011. HLS 10RS-297 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1220
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Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Designates the St. Claude Avenue Bridge as the "Homer Plessy Bridge" and
requires DOTD to erect signage indicating such designation.