HLS 11RS-690 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE BILL NO. 551
BY REPRESENTATIVE CONNICK
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
BRIDGES/FERRIES: Creates the Crescent City Connection Commission
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 47:820.5.8 and to repeal R.S. 47:820.5.3, relative to the Crescent City2
Connection; to create the Crescent City Connection Commission; to provide for3
membership, powers, and duties of the commission; to abolish the Crescent City4
Connection Oversight Authority; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 47:820.5.8 is hereby enacted to read as follows:7
ยง820.5.8. Crescent City Connection Commission; creation; membership; duties; and8
terms9
A. The Crescent City Connection Commission is hereby created, and10
hereinafter referred to as "the commission".11
B. The object and purpose of the commission shall be to advise and12
recommend to the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development,13
hereinafter referred to as "the department", and to the public, on issues relative to the14
future operations and management of the Crescent City Connection Division,15
hereinafter referred to as "the division".16
C. The commission shall have the authority to advise and recommend on17
issues relative to the following:18
(1) The improvement and maintenance of the marine operations and the19
Crescent City Connection bridges and those projects enumerated in R.S. 47:820.5.20 HLS 11RS-690 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 551
Page 2 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(2) The development of a plan for the cessation of tolls or continuation of the1
tolls, alternative means of financing of any unfinished projects enumerated in R.S.2
47:820.5, and the scheduled return of the marine and bridge operations of the3
division to the department.4
(3) The feasibility of the consolidation of the operations of the Crescent City5
Connection Division into the Louisiana Transportation Authority.6
(4) A cost reduction plan which consolidates the division's marine and bridge7
section resources, staff, and efforts with the department.8
(5) The development of a plan for the policing and traffic control on the9
Crescent City Connection Bridge and ferry operations after December 31, 2012.10
D.(1)(a) The commission shall be composed of eight persons, appointed by11
the governor. Each of the following organizations shall submit two names to the12
governor, from which the governor shall appoint the eight members:13
(i) Algiers Economic Development Foundation.14
(ii) Algiers Neighborhood Presidents Council.15
(iii) Friends of the Ferry.16
(iv) Bureau of Governmental Research.17
(v) Harvey Canal Industrial Association.18
(vi) Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.19
(vii) Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission.20
(viii) Plaquemines Association of Businesses.21
(b) To the extent possible the list of names submitted by the organizations22
shall include persons who have special competence in business, management,23
finance, law, and human resources.24
(c) The list of names shall be submitted to the governor no later than July 1,25
2011. If the list is not timely submitted, the governor shall make the appointments26
at large. The terms of the appointees shall commence on August 1, 2011, and shall27
terminate on December 31, 2012. The secretary of the Department of Transportation28
and Development or his designee shall serve as chairman of the commission.29 HLS 11RS-690 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 551
Page 3 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(2) Commission members, other than the secretary or his designee, shall not1
hold any public office nor serve on any other state board, commission, or authority,2
nor shall any member or his immediate family derive any income from any local,3
state, or federal governmental source.4
E. The commission shall have unrestricted access to all records and5
information maintained by the department of which the commission requires for the6
performance of its duties and functions.7
F. The commission shall report its business and status to the Joint Legislative8
Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, to the Joint Legislative9
Committee on the Budget, and to the Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish legislative10
delegations, prior to March 1, 2012.11
Section 2. R.S. 47:820.5.3 is hereby repealed in its entirety.12
Section 3. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2011; if vetoed by the governor13
and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,14
2011, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later. 15
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)]
Connick HB No. 551
Abstract: Terminates the Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority and replaces it
with the Crescent City Connection Commission.
Present law provides for the Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority (CCCOA),
which shall establish priorities of projects from remaining funds after all operation and
maintenance expenses of the bridges and ferries of the Crescent City Connection Division
(CCCD) have been paid. The CCCOA shall consider the funding of projects approved by
the legislature in accordance with R.S. 47:820.5 and shall have access to the accounting of
all expenditures, revenues, project priorities, status of ongoing projects, and any other
matters which relate to the Crescent City Connection, its operations, and related projects.
Present law further provides that the CCCOA shall be comprised of 13 members appointed
by the governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate from a list of three nominees
submitted by each of the state senators from Senate districts 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and each of
the state representatives from House districts 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 102, and 105. Members
shall serve terms of four years; however, the first term shall commence on July 1, 1998, and
terminate on June 30, 2000. Requires the CCCOA to report to the Senate and House
Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. HLS 11RS-690 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 551
Page 4 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Proposed law repeals present law and instead creates the Crescent City Connection
Commission.
Proposed law provides that the commission shall advise and recommend to the secretary of
DOTD and the public on issues relative to the future operations and management of the
Crescent City Connection Division. The issues include:
(1) The improvement and maintenance of the marine operations and the Crescent City
Connection bridges and those projects enumerated in R.S. 47:820.5.
(2) The development of a plan for the cessation of tolls or continuation of the tolls,
alternative means of financing of any unfinished projects enumerated in R.S.
47:820.5, and the scheduled return of the marine and bridge operations of the
division to the department.
(3) The feasibility of the consolidation of the operations of the Crescent City Connection
Division into the Louisiana Transportation Authority.
(4) A cost reduction plan which consolidates the division's marine and bridge section
resources, staff, and efforts with the department.
(5) The development of a plan for the policing and traffic control on the Crescent City
Connection Bridge and ferry operations after December 31, 2012.
Provides that the commission shall be composed of eight persons, appointed by the governor
from a list of 16 names, two each submitted from the following eight organizations: Algiers
Economic Development Foundation; Algiers Neighborhood Presidents Council; Friends of
the Ferry; Bureau of Governmental Research; Harvey Canal Industrial Association; Jefferson
Chamber of Commerce; Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission; and
Plaquemines Association of Businesses. Further provides that to the extent possible the list
of names submitted by the organizations shall include persons who have special competence
in business, management, finance, law, and human resources. Provides that the secretary of
DOTD or his designee shall be a member and shall serve as chairman.
Proposed law provides that the list of names shall be submitted to the governor no later than
July 1, 2011. If the list is not timely submitted, the governor shall make the appointments
at large. The terms of the appointees shall commence on August 1, 2011, and shall terminate
on Dec. 31, 2012.
Proposed law prohibits commission members, other than the secretary or his designee, from
holding any public office or serving on any other state board, commission, or authority, nor
shall any member or his immediate family derive any income from any local, state, or
federal governmental source.
Proposed law requires the commission to report its business and status to the Joint
Legislative Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, to the Joint
Legislative Committee on the Budget, and to the Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish
legislative delegations, prior to March 1, 2012.
Effective July 1, 2011.
(Adds R.S. 47:820.5.8; Repeals R.S. 47:820.5.3)