Connick HB No. 645
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
HIGHWAYS. Restricts the use of toll credits on certain highways.
DIGEST
HB 645 Reengrossed 2015 Regular Session Connick
Proposed law requires DOTD to utilize toll credits generated by past toll collections on the
Crescent City Connection Bridge and not obligated on or before April 3, 2015, to meet the
nonfederal share requirement on transportation infrastructure projects on the Crescent City
Connection Bridge itself, the Westbank Expressway or its approaches, the Louisiana
Highway 23 bridge and tunnel replacement project, the Fourth Street Extension, or any
combination thereof, and for no other purpose.
Proposed law provides that nothing in it is to require DOTD to construct any project listed
in it before another state highway project or to give priority to any such project over another
state highway project.
Proposed law provides that toll credits shall be considered a supplemental funding source
and not as a replacement for any other form of state transportation funding.
Proposed law defines "toll credit" as a financing tool approved by the Federal Highway
Administration that allows states to use federal obligation authority without the requirement
of nonfederal matching dollars.
(Adds R.S. 48:79)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Remove a provision requiring toll credits generated by a tolled transportation
facility to be utilized solely for highway projects on or in the vicinity of the
facility where the toll was collected.
2. Add a provision to require the Dept. of Transportation and Development to
utilize toll credits generated by past toll collections on the Crescent City
Connection Bridge and not obligated on or before April 3, 2015, to meet the
nonfederal share requirement on transportation infrastructure projects on the
Crescent City Connection Bridge itself or the Westbank Expressway or its
approaches, or any combination of those three, and for no other purpose.
3. Remove a provision that specified that toll credits be considered a supplemental
funding source only to be used in the area where the toll credit is generated and
instead clarifies that toll credits be considered a supplemental funding source and
not as a replacement for any other form of state transportation funding.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Add the Fourth Street Extension to the transportation infrastructure projects for
which the Dept. of Transportation and Development shall utilize toll credits
generated by past toll collections on the Crescent City Connection Bridge and not
obligated on or before April 3, 2015.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Riley Boudreaux. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways,
and Public Works to the reengrossed bill
1. Provides that nothing in the proposed law is to require DOTD to construct any
project listed in it before another state highway project or to give priority to any
such project over another state highway project.
2. Authorizes toll credits to be utilized for the Louisiana Highway 23 bridge and
tunnel replacement project.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Riley Boudreaux.