Louisiana 2012 2012 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB1212 Introduced / Bill

                    HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 1212         (Substitute for House Bill No. 935 by Representative St.
Germain)
BY REPRESENTATIVE ST. GERMAIN
TRANSPORTATION DEPT:  Provides relative to the Crescent City Connection Bridge
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 47:820.5.8, Chapter 2 of Subtitle VIII of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised2
Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 47:7011 through 7016, and R.S. 48:954,3
relative to the Department of Transportation and Development; to provide for an4
election to determine if tolls are collected on the Crescent City Connection Bridge;5
to provide relative to collection of tolls; to provide relative to the distribution of toll6
collections; to create a fund; to provide for an advisory body; to provide for ferry7
fares; to provide for privatization; and to provide for related matters.8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9
Section 1. R.S. 47:820.5.8 is hereby enacted to read as follows:10
§820.5.8.  Toll collection on the Crescent City Connection Bridge; proposition11
A. The governor shall call an election to be held at the same time as the12
statewide general election in the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, and Plaquemines to13
determine whether tolls shall be collected starting at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2013,14
on the Crescent City Connection Bridge, at the rate currently collected.15
B.  The ballot for the election shall state as follows:16
"PROPOSITION TO VOTERS IN ORLEANS, JEFFERSON, AND17
PLAQUEMINES  PARISHES18
Shall a toll be collected for passage over the Crescent City Connection19
Bridge, at the rate of twenty cents per axle for toll tag users and fifty cents per axle20 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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for cash users, with the toll revenue dedicated for the sole purposes of operations,1
maintenance, landscaping, grass cutting, trash pick up, functional and ornamental2
lighting, police functions, and capital projects on ingress and egress points to the3
Crescent City Connection Bridge along US 90 from Broad Street to Nine Mile Point4
Road?5
D. (1)  If the question of such toll collection is approved by a majority of the6
qualified electors voting on the proposition, then tolls shall be collected for passage7
over the Crescent City Connection Bridge, at the rate of  twenty cents per axle for8
toll tag users and fifty cents per axle for cash users, such collection beginning at9
12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2013.10
(2) If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition vote11
against such proposition, then no such toll shall be collected for passage over the12
Crescent City Connection Bridge.13
E.  The secretary of state shall prepare the ballot for the election.14
F. Except as otherwise provided, the election required pursuant to this15
Section shall be conducted in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code.16
G.  Notwithstanding Chapter 8-A of the Louisiana Election Code, the costs17
of the election required pursuant to this Section shall be borne by the state.18
Section 2. Chapter 2 of Subtitle VIII of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of19
1950, comprised of R.S. 47:7011 through 7016, is hereby enacted to read as follows:20
CHAPTER 2.  CRESCENT CITY CONNECTION BRIDGE21
§7011. Collection of tolls on the Crescent City Connection Bridge22
A. Tolls shall be collected at the rate of twenty cents per axle for toll tag23
users and fifty cents per axle for cash users for passage over the Crescent City24
Connection Bridge. Transferrable and nontransferable Automatic Vehicular25
Identification tags may be sold to patrons at a cost that shall equal and shall not26
exceed the cost of the issuing entity to purchase the tags for either device. All toll27
revenue collected pursuant to this Section shall be deposited into the Crescent City28 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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Connection Toll Fund provided for in R.S. 47:7014 and used for the sole purposes1
described therein.2
B. The Department of Transportation and Development shall collect the toll3
and issue transferable and nontransferable Automatic Vehicular Identification tags4
authorized by this Section if and until such time such collection of tolls and issuance5
tags is transferred or contracted out to another entity.6
§7012.  Crescent City Connection toll violations7
A. The  Department of Transportation and Development may adopt such8
rules and regulations for the method of taking tolls and enforcing violations and the9
employment and conduct of toll takers in its discretion may deem necessary.10
B.  Definitions of terms included in R.S. 32:1 apply to terms used in this11
Section which are not specifically defined in this Subsection. As used in this12
Section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the13
following meanings:14
(1) "Electronic toll collection" or "ETC" means a system of collecting tolls15
or charges that is capable of charging an account holder for the appropriate toll by16
transmission of information between a device on a motor vehicle and a toll collection17
facility.18
(2) "Pay" means paying a toll by cash, by permitting a charge against a valid19
toll tag account with the division, or by another means of payment approved by the20
department as applicable at the time.21
(3) "Photo-monitoring system" means a motor vehicle sensor installed to22
work in conjunction with a toll collection facility that automatically produces a23
photograph, microphotograph, videotape, or other recorded image of a motor vehicle24
or trailer when the operator of the motor vehicle or trailer fails to pay a toll.25
(4) "Registered owner" means a person in whose name a motor vehicle or26
trailer is registered under the law of a jurisdiction, including a person issued a dealer27
or transporter registration plate or a lessor of motor vehicles or trailers for public28
lease.29 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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(5) "Toll" or "tolls" means tolls or charges prescribed by law for passage1
over the Crescent City Connection Bridge.2
(6) "Toll tag" means the electronic device issued for use with the ETC on the3
Crescent City Connection.4
(7) "Valid toll tag account" means an existing toll tag with a balance of not5
less than forty cents.6
C. No motor vehicle shall be driven and no motor vehicle or trailer shall be7
towed through a toll collection facility on the Crescent City Connection without8
payment of the proper toll.  In the event of nonpayment of the proper toll, as9
evidenced by video or electronic recording, the registered owner of such vehicle or10
trailer shall be liable to make prompt payment of the proper toll and, in certain11
circumstances, an administrative fee of twenty-five dollars to recover the cost of12
collecting the toll.13
D. A motor vehicle that is not toll-tag equipped may not pass through a14
dedicated toll-tag lane.  A toll-tag equipped motor vehicle that passes through any15
toll lane incurs a toll, and the account holder shall pay the appropriate toll. Valid toll16
tag accounts shall not be charged the administrative fee of twenty-five dollars.17
E. The registered owner is prima facie responsible for the payment of the18
tolls, administrative fees, and late charges assessed in accordance with this Section,19
and it is not a defense to liability under this Section that a registered owner was not20
operating the motor vehicle at the time of the failure to pay.  However, if a report21
that the motor vehicle or trailer was stolen is given to a law enforcement officer or22
agency before the failure to pay a toll due pursuant to this Chapter occurs or within23
forty-eight hours after the registered owner becomes aware of the theft, the registered24
owner shall not be liable under this Section.25
F. The following procedures shall be taken for the collection of tolls,26
administrative fees, and late charges under this Section:27
(1) A violation notice shall be sent by first class mail to a person alleged to28
be liable as a registered owner at the address shown on the records of the Louisiana29 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles. Multiple1
violations may be aggregated in one violation notice. A manual or automatic record2
of the mailing prepared in the ordinary course of business shall be prima facie3
evidence of the mailing of the notice.4
(2) The violation notice shall include the name and address of the person5
alleged to be liable as a registered owner for the failure to pay a toll or tolls under6
this Section, the amount of the toll or tolls not paid, the registration number of the7
vehicle or trailer involved, the date and the approximate time of the failure or failures8
to pay the toll or tolls, the administrative fees due, and such other information9
deemed appropriate.10
(3)  The violation notice shall also include a warning that the registered11
owner must pay the toll or tolls and administrative fees stated in the notice or appeal12
the violation within thirty days after issuance and describe the means and content of13
the response for payment or appeal. The failure of the registered owner to appeal the14
violation in the manner provided and within the delays allowed shall be deemed to15
be an admission of liability and a waiver of available defenses.16
(4) Within thirty calendar days after the date of the issuance of the violation17
notice, the registered owner to whom the violation notice is issued must either pay18
the tolls and administrative fees provided by this Section, send a written dispute by19
mail as provided by this Section, or request a hearing as provided by this Section.20
(5) The registered owner may, without waiving the right to a hearing as21
provided by this Section, and also without waiving judicial review, appeal a violation22
notice and receive a review and disposition of the violation from a violation clerk by23
mail. The appeal by mail must contain a signed statement from the registered owner24
explaining the basis for the appeal.  The signed statement may be accompanied by25
signed statements from witnesses, police officers, government officials, or other26
relevant parties or photographs, diagrams, maps, or other relevant documents that the27
registered owner determines to submit.  Statements or materials sent to a violation28
clerk for review must have attached to them the name and address of the registered29 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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owner as well as the number of the violation notice and the date of the violation. All1
information submitted by the registered owner becomes part of the violation record.2
The violation clerk shall, within sixty days of receipt of such material, review the3
material and dismiss or uphold the violation and notify the registered owner of the4
disposition of the hearing in writing by mail. If the appeal by mail is denied, the5
violation clerk shall explain the reasons for the determination. The violation clerk6
shall have the authority to waive administrative fees, in whole or in part, for good7
cause shown.8
(6) A registered owner issued a violation notice may make a written request9
for an appeal hearing before an designated agent. The violation clerk shall, within10
thirty days of receipt of a request for an appeal, notify the registered owner in writing11
by first class mail of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be12
informal, the rules of evidence shall not apply, the Administrative Procedure Act13
shall not apply, and the decision of the agent shall be final, subject to judicial review.14
The parties to the appeal hearing shall be notified in person or by mail of the decision15
following the hearing. Each written appeal decision shall contain a statement of16
reasons for the decision including a determination of each issue of fact necessary to17
the decision.  Failure to appear at the date, time, and place specified on the hearing18
notice shall automatically result in the denial of the appeal. The hearing agent shall19
have the authority to waive administrative fees, in whole or in part, for good cause20
shown.21
(7) These provisions do not apply to traffic citations and moving violations22
issued law enforcement personnel.23
G. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Section shall result in the24
following late charges or sanctions or both against the registered owner:25
(1) The following late charges for late payment, failure to pay, or for26
otherwise failing to respond to a violation notice as provided by this Section may be27
assessed:28 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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(a)  A registered owner who fails to pay the administrative fees specified in1
a violation notice and who fails to appeal a violation notice as provided by this2
Section within thirty calendar days after the date of the issuance of the violation3
notice shall incur a late charge of five dollars. The violation clerk shall notify the4
registered owner by first class mail of this first notice of delinquency.5
(b) A registered owner who fails to respond to a violation notice as provided6
by this Section within forty-five calendar days after the date of the issuance of the7
violation notice shall incur an additional late charge of fifteen dollars. The violation8
clerk shall notify the registered owner by first class mail of this notice of9
delinquency.10
(c) A registered owner who fails to respond to a violation notice as provided11
by this Section within sixty calendar days after the date of the issuance of the12
violation notice shall incur an additional late charge of twenty dollars. The violation13
clerk shall notify the registered owner by first class mail of this notice of14
delinquency and, in addition, notify the Louisiana office of motor vehicles.  Upon15
notice from a violation clerk, the office of motor vehicles shall place the matter on16
record and shall not renew the driver's license of the registered owner or the17
registration of the vehicle until after notice from the violation clerk that the matters18
have been disposed of in accordance with law.19
(d) After a notice to the office of motor vehicles provided in Subparagraph20
(c) of this Paragraph, violation notices or notices of delinquency to registered owners21
with ten or more toll violations shall not be required to be mailed. However, the tolls22
and administrative fees of such registered owner shall continue to accumulate.23
(2) Civil and criminal action may be pursued as appropriate to collect the24
tolls and administrative fees assessed in the violation notice as well as such25
subsequent late charges assessed in accordance with this Section.26
H.(1) A photograph, microphotograph, videotape, or other recorded image27
produced by a photo-monitoring device is admissible in a proceeding to collect a toll28 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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or other charge, to collect criminal penalties imposed, or to impose criminal liability1
for a failure to pay the toll or charge.2
(2) An original or facsimile of a certificate, sworn to or affirmed by an agent3
of the toll collector that states that a failure to pay has occurred and states that it is4
based upon a personal inspection of a photograph, microphotograph, videotape, or5
other recorded image produced by a photo-monitoring system, as defined in this6
Section, is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in the certificate.7
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a photograph,8
microphotograph, videotape, or other recorded image prepared for enforcement tolls9
is for the exclusive use of the Department of Transportation and Development or10
contracting entity in the discharge of its duties under this Section.11
I. The Department of Transportation and Development may hire or designate12
such personnel and organize such sections as the department may deem necessary,13
or contract for such services, in order to carry out the provisions of this Section.14
J. The tolls, administrative fees, and any late charges provided by law which15
are collected shall be deposited into the Crescent City Connection Toll Fund16
provided for in R.S. 47:7014 and used for the sole purposes described therein.17
§7013. New Orleans Regional Planning Commission; advisory authority18
A. The New Orleans Regional Planning Commission shall serve as an19
advisory body for the collection of tolls on the Crescent City Connection.  It  shall20
recommend best practices for operations, maintenance, landscaping, grass cutting,21
trash pick up, functional and ornamental lighting, and capital projects on ingress and22
egress points to the Crescent City Connection Bridge along US 90 from Broad Street23
to Nine Mile Point Road.24
B. In furtherance of this purpose, the commission shall have access to the25
accounting of all expenditures, revenues, project priorities, status of on-going26
projects, and any other matters which relate to the Crescent City Connection, its27
operations, and related projects.28 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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§7014.  Crescent City Connection Toll Fund1
A. There is hereby created, as a special fund in the state treasury, the2
Crescent City Connection Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund". The source of3
monies for the fund shall be tolls collected for passage over the Crescent City4
Connection Bridge, and any administrative fees, and any late charges provided by5
law which are collected pursuant to R.S. 47:7012.6
B. After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of7
the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund,8
an amount equal to that deposited into the state treasury from the foregoing sources9
shall be deposited in and credited to the fund.  The monies in the fund shall be10
invested by the treasurer in the same manner as the state general fund, and interest11
earnings shall be deposited into the fund.  All unexpended and unencumbered12
monies remaining in the fund at the end of each fiscal year shall remain in the fund.13
C. (1)  Monies in the fund shall be subject to annual appropriation as set14
forth herein by the legislature for use by the Department of Transportation and15
Development and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety16
services.17
(2) Funds shall be allocated to and disbursed by Department of Public Safety18
and Corrections, public safety services, for police functions along the span of the19
bridge.20
(3) Funds shall be allocated to and disbursed by the secretary of the21
Department of Transportation and Development solely for operations, maintenance,22
landscaping, grass cutting, trash pick up, functional and ornamental lighting, and23
capital projects capital projects on ingress and egress points to the Crescent City24
Connection Bridge along US 90 from Broad Street to Nine Mile Point Road.25
(4)  No monies in the fund shall be used for any of the following purposes:26
 (a) As a part of the Transportation Trust Fund 27
(b) To operate any office, section, division, or other entity under the authority28
of the Department of Transportation and Development.29 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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(c) To finance, supplement, or in any manner fund any Louisiana1
Transportation Authority project.2
(d) To finance, supplement, or in any manner fund any other projects in the3
state of Louisiana, particularly those contained in Title 47, Part IV, Section 820.14
through 820.5, the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development5
Account.6
(e) To finance, supplement, or in any manner fund any ferry operated in the7
state.8
§7015.  Ferry operation at New Orleans; rates9
A. Should the ferry service formerly operated by the Crescent City10
Connection Division of the Department of Transportation and Development not be11
privatized as allowed pursuant to R.S. 48:25.1, the department shall use best12
practices and establish and collect fares as follows:13
(1) A commuter fare for pedestrians of not less than one dollar per each14
passage.15
(2) A commuter pass for motor vehicle commuters  not less than four dollars16
per each passage.17
(3) A tourist rate or non-commuter rate may be set by the department under18
the direction of the New Orleans Regional Planning pursuant to the authority19
granted to it pursuant to R.S. 47:7013,20
(4) All fares collected shall be used solely for ferry operations formerly21
operated by the Crescent City Connection Division of the Department of 22
Transportation and Development.23
B.  The department is hereby authorized to adjust the fees permitted by this24
Section annually in accordance with increases in the Consumer Price Index.25
§7016. Termination26
The provisions of this Chapter shall be null, void, and of no effect should the27
majority of the qualified electorate voting in the election provided for in R.S.28
47:820.5.8, vote not to have tolls collected on the Crescent City Connection Bridge.29 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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Section 3.  R.S. 48:954 is hereby enacted to read as follows:1
§954. Crescent City Connection; toll collection, maintenance, operations & other2
services; privatization3
A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the department is hereby4
authorized to enter into contracts with public or non-public entities for the collection5
of tolls, operations, or maintenance, or all of the aforementioned activities, on the6
Crescent City Connection Bridge. Operations and maintenance shall include7
landscaping, grass cutting, trash pick up, and functional and ornamental lighting.8
B. The department shall hold at least one public meeting in the New Orleans9
metropolitan area and issue a request for information at least ninety days prior to10
issuing any request for proposal issued pursuant to this Section. The purpose of the11
public meeting and request for information shall be to receive input from the public12
on how the collection of tolls, operations, or maintenance on the Crescent City13
Connection Bridge shall be conducted.14
C. Any requests for proposal issued pursuant to this Section shall indicate15
the relative importance of price and other evaluation factors and shall state the16
criteria to be used in evaluating any proposal.17
D. Adequate public notice of any requests for proposals shall be given by18
advertising in the official journal of the state and the official journals of the parishes19
of Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines, at least once. The first advertisement in20
each of the listed journals shall appear at least thirty days before the last day that21
proposals will be accepted. In addition, written notice may be provided to persons,22
firms, or corporations who are known to be in a position to furnish such service23
requested at least thirty days prior to the last day that any proposals will be accepted.24
E. The department shall determine which proposal for a desired service is the25
most advantageous to the state which meets all the qualitative restrictions established26
in any requests for proposal.27
F. No contract shall be entered into pursuant to this Section, unless it is28
preapproved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.29 HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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G. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, the Senate Committee1
on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, and the House Committee on2
Transportation, Highways and Public Works shall exercise continuous oversight over3
any services provided by a public or non-public entity issued a contract pursuant to4
this Section.5
H. The department shall give updates on its efforts to privatize the operations6
and maintenance of the Crescent City Connection Bridge upon request of the Senate7
Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works or the House Committee8
on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, or both.9
I. The provisions of this Section shall be null, void, and of no effect on July10
1, 2014, should the department have not awarded a contract or contracts for Crescent11
City Connection Bridge toll collection, operation, and maintenance.12
Section 4. This Section and Sections 1 and 5 of this Act shall become effective upon13
signature by the governor or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for14
bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section15
18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.  If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved16
by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on the day following such approval.17
Section 5. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act shall be effective January 1, 2013, 12:01 a.m.,18
should the election provided for in Section 1 of this Act result in the collection of tolls on19
the Crescent City Connection Bridge.20
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)]
St. Germain	HB No. 1212
Abstract: Authorizes an election to be held in the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, and
Plaquemines on the question of whether tolls shall be collected on the Crescent City
Connection Bridge. The bill provides that the DOTD shall collect the tolls and
operate and the maintain the bridge.
Proposed law provides that an election shall be held in the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans,
and Plaquemines for the purpose of determining whether tolls shall be collected on the
Crescent City Connection Bridge. Proposed law provides for the ballot language, which
provides for the rate of the tolls to be collected and the uses of the toll revenue. HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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Proposed law provides that upon a majority of the qualified electorate approving the
collection of tolls, the tolls shall be collected at the present law rates. Proposed law
maintains all present law manners of toll collection and enforcement of toll violations.
Proposed law provides for the creation of the "Crescent City Connection Toll Fund", as
follows:
(1)Monies for the fund shall be tolls collected for passage over the Crescent City
Connection Bridge, and any administrative fees, and any late charges.
(2)After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the
Constitution of Louisiana, relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, an
amount equal to that deposited into the state treasury from the foregoing sources
shall be deposited in and credited to the fund. The monies in the fund shall be
invested by the treasurer in the same manner as the state general fund, and interest
earnings shall be deposited into the fund. All unexpended and unencumbered
monies remaining in the fund at the end of each fiscal year shall remain in the fund.
(3)Monies in the fund shall be subject to annual appropriation by the legislature for use
by the Department of Transportation and Development and the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections, public safety services.
(4) Monies in the fund shall be allocated  and disbursed by the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections, public safety services, for police functions along the span of
the bridge.
(5)Monies in the fund shall be allocated and disbursed by the secretary of the
Department of Transportation and Development solely for operations, maintenance,
landscaping, grass cutting, trash pick up, functional and ornamental lighting, and
capital projects capital projects on ingress and egress points to the Crescent City
Connection Bridge along US 90 from Broad Street to Nine Mile Point Road. No
more than a stated percent shall be allocated or disbursed by the secretary of the
Department of Transportation and Development for operations in any one fiscal year.
Proposed law provides that New Orleans Regional Planning commission shall serve as an
advisory body for the collection of tolls. Proposed law provides that the commission shall
have access to the accounting of all expenditures, revenues, project priorities, status of on-
going projects, and any other matters which relate to the Crescent City Connection, its
operations, and related projects.
Proposed law provides for the authorization to privatize the operations and maintenance of
and toll collections on the Crescent City Connection Bridge as follows:
(1)Authorizes the department to enter into contracts with public or non-public entities
for the collection of tolls, operations, or maintenance, or all of the aforementioned
activities, on the Crescent City Connection Bridge. 
(2)Requires the department to hold at least one public meeting in the New Orleans
metropolitan area and issue a request for information at least ninety days prior to
issuing any request for proposal. The purpose of the public meeting and request for
information shall be to receive input from the public on how the collection of tolls,
operations, or maintenance on the Crescent City Connection Bridge shall be
conducted.
(3)Any requests for proposal issued pursuant to proposed law shall indicate the relative
importance of price and other evaluation factors and shall state the criteria to be used
in evaluating any proposal. HLS 12RS-3796	ORIGINAL
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(4)Adequate public notice of any requests for proposals shall be given by advertising
in the official journal of the state and the official journals of the parishes of Orleans,
Jefferson, and Plaquemines, at least once.  The first advertisement in each of the
listed journals shall appear at least thirty days before the last day that proposals will
be accepted. In addition, written notice may be provided to persons, firms, or
corporations who are known to be in a position to furnish such service requested at
least thirty days prior to the last day that any proposals will be accepted.
(5)The department shall determine which proposal for a desired service is the most
advantageous to the state which meets all the qualitative restrictions established in
any requests for proposal.
(6)All contracts have to be pre-approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the
Budget.
(7)The department is authorized to monitor the operations and services provided to the
department by a public or non-public entity issued a contract. The Joint Legislative
Committee on the Budget, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and
Public Works, and the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public
Works shall exercise continuous oversight over any services provided by a public or
non-public entity issued a contract.
(8)Requires the department to give updates on its efforts to privatize the operations and
maintenance of the Crescent City Connection Bridge upon request of the Senate
Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works or the House Committee
on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, or both.
(9)Provides that the proposed law shall be null, void, and of no effect on July 1, 2014,
should the department have not awarded a contract or contracts for Crescent City
Connection Bridge toll collection, operation, and maintenance.
Proposed law provides that Should the Crescent City Connection ferries not be privatized,
then  the department shall use best practices and establish and collect fares as follows:
(1)A commuter fare for pedestrians of not less than one dollar per each passage.
(2)A commuter pass for motor vehicle commuters not less than four dollars  per each
passage.
(3)A tourist rate or non-commuter rate may be set by the department under the direction
of the New Orleans Regional Planning 
Proposed law provides that all fares collected pursuant to proposed law shall be used solely
for ferry operations formerly operated by the Crescent City Connection Division of the
Department of Transportation and Development.
Proposed law provides that DOTD is authorized to adjust the fares charged pursuant to
proposed law annually in accordance with increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Sections 1, 4, and 5 effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial
action.
Sections 2 and 3 effective January 1, 2013, 12:01 a.m., should the election provided for in
Section 1 of this Act results in the collection of tolls on the Crescent City Connection
Bridge.
(Adds R.S. 47:820.5.8 and 7011-7016 and R.S. 48:954)