HLS 10RS-1829 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 38
BY REPRESENTATIVE SAM JONES
TRANSPORTATION: Requests DOTD to study reducing the size of DOTD and the
distribution of state highway miles
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study reducing2
the size of the Department of Transportation and Development, rectifying inequities3
in the distribution of state highway miles among parishes, and empowering local4
governments through the "right-sizing" of the state highway system.5
WHEREAS, for at least seven decades, Louisiana has operated under a model of6
strong state government and relatively weaker local government; and7
WHEREAS, this governmental model has produced an inefficient highway system8
that continues to lag behind the rest of the nation's systems; and9
WHEREAS, many would argue that a new governmental model is needed to produce10
a more efficient highway system, one that is aligned with the philosophy that the government11
closest to the people is the most responsive and best serves the citizenry; and12
WHEREAS, under a new model, the opportunity exists to reduce the size of the13
Department of Transportation and Development, rectify inequities in the distribution of state14
highway miles among parishes, and empower local governments through the "right-sizing"15
of the state highway system; and16
WHEREAS, under a new model, the state highway system would be reduced and17
local government would be strengthened and granted far greater autonomy in meeting their18
areas' highway needs; and19
WHEREAS, the benefits to local governments would include, but not be limited to,20
the following: (1) increased financial resources from the Parish Transportation Fund; (2)21 HLS 10RS-1829 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 38
Page 2 of 3
greater authority in transportation decisionmaking, including project prioritization and1
funding allocation; (3) authority to regulate traffic over a larger portion of the transportation2
network in any given jurisdiction; and (4) the ability to implement parish and municipal3
comprehensive plans with less interference and less dependency on the state; and4
WHEREAS, "right sizing" the state highway system would allow the Department of5
Transportation and Development to focus its efforts on the components of the transportation6
system that are most important to all of Louisiana's economy, namely, those that serve a7
significant role in freight movement, tourism, and business travel.8
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby9
urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to develop a proposal10
for "right-sizing" the state highway system in accordance with principals and criteria that it11
shall identify for such purpose. The requested "right-sizing" proposal shall include but not12
be limited to the following:13
(1) A report outlining the proposal.14
(2) Maps for each parish showing exactly which routes would be transferred from15
the state highway system.16
(3) Exact figures for increasing the Parish Transportation Fund and decreasing the17
Department of Transportation and Development's operating budget and staffing levels.18
(4) Proposed revisions to the Parish Transportation Fund formulas.19
(5) A schedule for transferring state roads to local governments, increasing funding20
to the Parish Transportation Fund, increasing local capital assistance programs, including21
off-system bridges, local road safety, and a proposed congestion relief fund, and reducing22
the Department of Transportation and Development's operating budget and staffing levels.23
(6) Legislation necessary to implement the proposal and to ensure that increased24
funding for the Parish Transportation Fund will continue with future administrations.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Department of Transportation and Development26
shall submit the "right-sizing" proposal to the House and Senate committees on27
transportation, highway and public works no later than January 31, 2012.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the29
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.30 HLS 10RS-1829 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 38
Page 3 of 3
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)]
Sam Jones HCR No. 38
Urges and requests DOTD to develop a proposal for "right-sizing" the state highway system
and to submit the report to the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways
and public works no later than Jan. 31, 2012.