RDCSB223 2073 3106
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The original instrument was prepared by Sharon F. Lyles. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Mills (SB 223)
Proposed law creates the Coastal Port Advisory Authority in the office of multimodal
planning, Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), to perform its duties,
functions, and responsibilities in an advisory capacity in order for the state to determine how
it may best position itself to take advantage of pending private sector investments in
deepwater oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
Proposed law provides for membership as follows:
(1)One member appointed at large by the governor who shall serve as chairman and
have knowledge of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
(2)The governor's executive assistant for coastal activities or his designee.
(3)The secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development or his designee.
(4)The secretary of the Department of Economic Development or his designee.
(5)The secretary of the Department of Natural Resources or his designee.
(6)A representative of the Ports Association of Louisiana selected by its chairman of the
board of directors.
(7)One member from each of Louisiana's coastal ports appointed by each port's
executive director.
(8)One member from each of Louisiana's deep draft ports appointed by each port's
executive director.
Proposed law requires the members to select a vice chairman to serve in the absence of the
chairman, and for the marine and rail transportation administrator within the office of
multimodal planning DOTD to serve as secretary of the authority who shall not vote.
Proposed law provides that the authority be advisory in nature; requires the authority, relative
to the state's coastal and deep draft ports, to research and study economic development
opportunities available to the state's maritime industries and the needs of the oil and gas
industry, to inventory and evaluate port resources and infrastructure, including existing and
future resource and infrastructure needs in order to attract business and increase future
market shares, to identify technical research and previously developed information on
available markets, to study port capacities and utilization, to identify potential future deficit
areas, and to investigate incentives for port development.
Proposed law provides that the authority shall not be eligible to apply for or receive funding
from the Port Construction and Development Priority Program as provided in R.S. 34:3451
et seq.
Proposed law prohibits the authority from advising on any matter related to the Port
Construction and Development Priority Program.
Proposed law requires the authority, beginning not later than May 1, 2015, and not later than
May first annually thereafter, to report the progress of its activities to the house and senate
committees on transportation, highways, and public works. RDCSB223 2073 3106
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Proposed law authorizes the authority to call upon the expertise of others with knowledge
of Gulf of Mexico deep water exploration and production, including but not limited to the
Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association,
the American Petroleum Institute, the National Ocean Industries Association, the Gulf
Economic Survival Team, chambers of commerce, Louisiana universities, fabrication
companies, the Louisiana Association of Waterway Operators and Shipyards, the Louisiana
River Pilots' Association, and port organizations.
Proposed law authorizes interagency agreements between executive agencies and
departments of the state represented on the authority to share costs necessary to perform
authority duties, functions, and responsibilities.
Proposed law provides a majority of the members constitutes a quorum and requires a
favorable vote of at least a simple majority of the total membership present to take action on
any matter; requires the board to meet at least annually and authorizes more frequent
meetings upon the call of the chairman; provides that the members serve without salary or
mileage or expense reimbursement from the authority.
Proposed law terminates the authority on June 30, 2018.
Effective August 1, 2013.
(Adds R.S. 34:3551 and 3552 and R.S. 36:509(U))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation,
Highways, and Public Works to the original bill
1. Removes representative of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas
Association as a member of the authority's board.
2. Provides that authority is not eligible to apply for or receive funding from the
Port Construction and Development Priority Program.
3. Prohibits authority from advising on any matter related to the Port
Construction and Development Priority Program.
4. Requires the authority, beginning not later than May 1, 2015, and not later
than May 1 annually thereafter, to report its progress to the house and senate
committees on transportation, highways, and public works.
5. Authorizes authority to call upon the expertise of others with knowledge of
Gulf of Mexico deep water exploration and production, including but not
limited to, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the
Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the
National Ocean Industries Association, the Gulf Economic Survival Team,
chambers of commerce, Louisiana universities, fabrication companies, and
port organizations.
6. Authorizes interagency agreements between executive agencies and
departments of the state represented on the authority to share costs necessary
to perform authority duties, functions, and responsibilities.
7. Terminates the authority on June 30, 2018.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Legislative Bureau amendments. RDCSB223 2073 3106
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Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways
and Public Works to the engrossed bill.
1. Added the Louisiana Association of Waterway Operators and Shipyards and the
Louisiana River Pilots' Association to the group of organizations that the
authority is authorized to call upon for their knowledge of Gulf of Mexico deep
water exploration and production.