Chabert (SB 573) Act No. 719
New law creates the office of multimodal commerce in the Department of Transportation
and Development (DOTD) headed up by a commissioner of multimodal commerce
(commissioner). Provides that the commissioner be appointed by the governor, subject to
Senate confirmation, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Provides that the
commissioner shall an annual salary fixed by the governor, which shall not exceed the
amount approved for the position by the legislature while in session, and be allowed his
actual and necessary traveling expenses incurred in the discharge of his official duties.
Changes the name of the office of multimodal planning within DOTD to the office of
planning.
Provides that the office of multimodal commerce shall administer the planning and
programming functions of DOTD related to strategic and intermodal issues, aviation,
commercial trucking, intercity public mass transit, railroad expansion and development, port
and water transportation systems, and related matters, and any other special programs as may
be directed by the governor.
Requires that the office advise the office of planning on intermodal issues and implement
the master plan as it relates to intermodal transportation.
Provides that any powers, duties, responsibilities and corresponding employees, equipment,
facilities, and funding of DOTD with respect to federal programs on rail safety and the
administration of federal rail safety and hazard mitigation funds and the like shall remain
with the office of engineering of DOTD.
Vests in the office of multimodal commerce the powers, duties, responsibilities, budgetary
authority, and DOTD employees, equipment, facilities, and funding necessary to carry out
its functions.
Authorizes to the commissioner, in accordance with applicable civil service rules and
regulations, to employ, appoint, transfer, assign, and promote such personnel as necessary
for the efficient administration his office.
Requires that the powers, duties, responsibilities, budgetary authority, employees,
equipment, facilities, and funding of the office of multimodal commerce be allocated among
the following divisions of the office:
(1)Commercial trucking.
(2)Ports and harbors.
(3)Aviation.
(4)Rail.
(5)Maritime.
(6)Intercity public mass transit.
Creates the Multimodal Commerce Advisory Commission within the office of multimodal
commerce and that the commission be composed of the following members:
(1)The commissioner of administration, or his designee, who shall be chair of the
commission.
(2)The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or his designee.
(3)The secretary of DOTD, or his designee.
(4)The chairs of the Senate and House committees on transportation, highways, and
public works, or their designees.
(5)The chairs of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and
International Affairs and the House Committee on Commerce, or their designees. (6)A representative of the Ports Association of Louisiana selected by its board of
directors.
(7)A representative of the Louisiana Association of Waterway Operators and Shipyards
selected by its board of directors.
(8)The president of the Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates, or his designee.
(9)A representative of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association selected by its board
of directors.
(10)A representative of the Louisiana Railroad Association selected by its board of
directors.
(11)The chairman of the Louisiana Board of International Commerce, or his designee.
(12)The chairman of the board of the Offshore Marine Service Association, or his
designee.
(13)A Louisiana representative of the Southern Rail Commission appointed by the
governor.
(14)A representative at-large selected by the president of the Senate.
(15)A representative at-large selected by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Requires that the advisory commission meet and develop an operational plan for the 2015
RS of the Legislature for the following items:
(1)An allocation of the department employees, equipment, facilities, and funding the
commission finds necessary to carry out the functions conferred upon the office of
multimodal commerce which become effective on July 1, 2016.
(2)The organizational structure of the office of multimodal commerce, with a further
initial allocation of the office's powers, duties, responsibilities, officers, equipment,
and employees among the specific divisions provided for in R.S. 36:508.3(D), to
become effective on July 1, 2016.
(3)Proposed legislation for the 2015 legislative session necessary to implement the
operational plan on July 1, 2016.
Requires that the operational plan of the Multimodal Commerce Advisory Commission be
presented to the Senate and House committees on transportation, highways, and public
works for their review, amendment, and approval no later than February 1, 2015.
Provides that a majority of the commission members constitute a quorum to take action
which requires an affirmative vote of the commission members present.
Provides that advisory commission members serve without compensation, except for per
diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be individually entitled as members of
the constituent organizations.
Provides that after July 1, 2016, the advisory commission continue to exist in an advisory
capacity to the commissioner.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 18, 2014) except that provisions in this Act
creating the office of multimodal commerce (DOTD) take effect on July 1, 2016.
(Amends R.S. 36:501(C)(1) 502, and 508.1(A), (B), (E), and (F); adds R.S. 36:508.3 and
508.4)