HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 598
BY REPRESENTATIVES ABRAMSON (BY REQUEST) AND JIM MORRIS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
TRANSPORTATION: Provides for changes to the highway priority program
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 48:229.1(B) and (C) and to enact R.S. 48:229.1(A)(9), (10), and
3 (11) and 229.2, relative to the construction and funding of highways; to provide with
4 respect to the Highway Priority Program; to require that certain information be
5 included in the Highway Priority Program; to provide for the priority process; to
6 require certain annual audits of funding; to require annual reports; to provide for
7 certain requirements and limitations; and to provide for related matters.
8Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 48:229.1(B) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
1048:229.1(A)(9), (10), and (11) and 229.2 are hereby enacted to read as follows:
11 §229.1. Statewide prioritization process for the Highway Priority Program
12 A. The legislature declares it to be in the public interest that a prioritization
13 process for construction be utilized to develop a Highway Priority Program that
14 accomplishes the following:
15 * * *
16 (9) Utilizes any new taxes levied on or after August 1, 2017, on gasoline,
17 motor fuels, and special fuels which are deposited into the Transportation Trust Fund
18 and dedicated solely and exclusively for the costs associated with construction and
19 maintenance of state and federal roads and bridges and used by the Department of
20 Transportation and Development in the most cost-effective manner to ensure that the
Page 1 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
1 state is getting a positive return on the investment of state and federal funds in
2 transportation projects.
3 (10) Maximizes state and federal transportation funding on costs related to
4 the actual construction and maintenance of highway and bridge projects and
5 minimizes the use of these funds on administrative costs of the Department of
6 Transportation and Development.
7 (11) In cases where Priority A and Priority B mega-projects designated in
8 the Department of Transportation and Development's Statewide Transportation Plan
9 would be prioritized equally based on the criteria set forth in Paragraphs (1) through
10 (10) of this Subsection, the department shall give consideration when prioritizing
11 these projects to mega-projects that the match requirement is funded from non-
12 federal or non-state sources.
13 B.(1) Beginning with the Highway Priority Program for Fiscal Year 2017-
14 2018 2018-2019 and for each Highway Priority Program thereafter, the department
15 shall provide the legislature and public with this program which shall list projects to
16 be constructed in the ensuing fiscal year in an order of priority that is determined
17 after projects selected pursuant to Subsection C of this Section are analyzed and
18 prioritized based upon the factors set forth in Subsection A of this Section.
19 (2) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the
20 department shall establish a multi-year time line on the projects to be funded through
21 the Highway Priority Program each year including an indication of the source of
22 monies from which construction costs will be funded.
23 C.(1) The projects to be included in the Highway Priority Program shall be
24 selected utilizing a process based on an objective analysis that considers, at
25 minimum, the following factors relative to the cost of the project and anticipated
26 revenues to be appropriated by the legislature:
27 (1) (a) The condition of the roads, streets, and structures making up the state
28 highway system and the relative urgency of the improvements considering in their
29 order of general needs. For purposes of this Paragraph, "condition" shall include but
Page 2 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
1 not be limited to the state of repair of the existing roadway and shoulder surfaces,
2 structures and drainage, and other factors of the roadway, such as signs, signals,
3 markings, and barriers.
4 (2) (b) The type and volume of traffic on a particular segment of roadway,
5 highway, or bridge.
6 (3) (c) The crash records for a particular segment of roadway, highway, or
7 bridge.
8 (4) (d) The technical difficulties in the preparation of plans and the
9 procurement of rights-of-way for a particular segment of roadway, highway, or
10 bridge.
11 (5) (e) Whether unforeseeable emergencies such as floods have created an
12 immediate need for improvement or reconstruction.
13 (6) (f) Whether capacity improvements are warranted due to population or
14 traffic volume increases in specific geographic areas.
15 (7) (g) Whether or not the highway or bridge is or will be on an evacuation
16 route utilized to evacuate large populations due to catastrophic events such as
17 hurricanes or flooding.
18 (8) (h) Whether the improvement to or addition of a highway or bridge will
19 benefit the economic development potential of the state.
20 (i) Whether or not the highway or bridge project will meet the needs of the
21 local and regional planning organizations to ensure that there is an equitable
22 distribution among and between the different regions of the state over a three-year
23 period.
24 (2) The Department of Transportation and Development shall submit
25 performance progress reports including the performance objectives, indicators, and
26 standards used by the department to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the
27 priority of projects in the Highway Priority Program. To the extent possible, such
28 reports shall be submitted and maintained through the electronic performance
Page 3 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
1 database maintained and used by the division of administration to track state agency
2 performance standards as well as included on the department's webpage.
3 (3) Beginning with the Highway Priority Program for Fiscal Year 2018-2019
4 and for each Highway Priority Program thereafter, the department shall apply the
5 prioritization factors provided for in this Subsection and begin to prioritize all
6 projects in the Highway Priority Program which are at the stage of construction
7 where sources of funding are being identified.
8 (4) Beginning with the Highway Priority Program for Fiscal Year 2018-2019
9 and for each Highway Priority Program thereafter, the department shall prioritize all
10 projects included in the Highway Priority Program into two separate lists as follows:
11 (a)(i) The first list shall include a three-year plan for all projects in the
12 program where funding is programmed based on the anticipated and projected
13 revenues available for construction in that fiscal year. Each year, as projects are
14 completed from this list, they shall be deleted and replaced with projects from the list
15 required in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph beginning with the highest level of
16 priority. The department shall devise a detailed schedule of construction for all
17 projects on this list which shall include at a minimum, the stage of construction, the
18 estimated start date, and estimated end date for each phase of construction,
19 associated costs, and funding sources for each phase.
20 (ii) Each year, the department shall publish the list required in Subparagraph
21 (a) of this Paragraph with notations regarding whether the project is on-time, ahead
22 of schedule, or delayed.
23 (b) The second list shall include a three-year plan for all projects in the
24 program that can be funded if additional revenues become available. Each year, as
25 projects move from this list to the list required in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph,
26 new projects shall be added to this list from prioritized projects in the Highway
27 Priority Program starting with the highest level of priority.
Page 4 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
1 (5)(a) In the case of non-interstate Pavement Preservation Projects,
2 prioritizations within each Department of Transportation and Development district
3 shall be provided by the district administrator for that district.
4 (b) No less than thirty-five percent of the avails of the taxes levied pursuant
5 to the provisions of R.S. 47:818.12.1 shall be divided among the Department of
6 Transportation and Development districts based on the state road mileage and
7 average daily traffic in each district in accordance with a formula established by the
8 department and shall be used for Pavement Preservation Projects. Projects for which
9 these avails shall be used shall be selected by the administrator of each district after
10 input from local government officials and metropolitan planning organizations
11 located within the geographic boundary of each district.
12 (6) In an action for civil damages, the Highway Priority Program, including
13 any source data and reports associated with the prioritization of projects in the
14 program, shall not be discoverable or admissible as evidence in any civil trial.
15 * * *
16 §229.2. Audit requirements; annual reports; adjustment in levy of gas taxes
17 A. Beginning July 1, 2019, the legislative auditor shall annually audit the
18 avails of the additional tax levied pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 47:818.12.1 on
19 gasoline, motor fuels, and special fuels, hereinafter "motor fuel taxes", to ensure
20 compliance with the laws and regulations and adequacy of internal controls to
21 ensure:
22 (1) The avails of the motor fuels tax are used in accordance with their
23 restricted purposes as set forth in Article VII, Section 27(B) of the Constitution.
24 (2) The avails of the motor fuels tax are spent in appropriate categories as
25 specified in Paragraph (1) of Subsection B of this Section and R.S. 47:818.12.1(D).
26 (3) The avails of the motor fuels tax are spent on projects in compliance with
27 the priorities set forth in the applicable programs for prioritizing capital projects.
28 (4) The avails of the motor fuels tax are spent in an efficient and effective
29 manner showing improvement in program operations through performance measures
Page 5 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
1 such as pavement conditions, bridge conditions, safety improvements,
2 implementation of the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan, and other outcome
3 measures as determined by the auditor.
4 B. The Department of Transportation and Development shall annually, or as
5 requested, submit a report to the legislature and to the legislative auditor which
6 contains the following information regarding the use of the avails of the motor fuel
7 taxes:
8 (1) Detailed information regarding the expenditure breakdown of the avails
9 of the motor fuel taxes utilized by the department in accordance with the restricted
10 purposes as set forth in Article VII, Section 27(B)(2) of the Constitution. In addition
11 the report shall include details of expenditures in the following categories:
12 (a) Administration and support services which include staff costs associated
13 with executive level oversight and administrative supervision of the various business
14 support functions of the Department of Transportation and Development.
15 (b) Transportation funding used for other multimodal programs such as
16 ports, aviation, freight, transit, and public works.
17 (c) Operations and maintenance expenses which include non-administrative
18 costs for activities such as repair and maintenance of pothole patching, mowing,
19 ditch cleaning, striping, signal repair and installation, bridge repair, and maintenance.
20 (d) Program and project delivery including actual construction and
21 construction engineering costs for projects.
22 (2) The methodology and outcomes of the Department of Transportation and
23 Development's prioritization of projects in the applicable programs for prioritizing
24 capital projects as compared to the expenditure of funds.
25 (3) All source documentation necessary to review any metrics determined
26 by the legislative auditor, including those included in Paragraph (4) of Subsection
27 A of this Section.
28 (4) Any other information or data requested by the legislative auditor.
Page 6 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
1 C. The legislative auditor shall annually certify that the audit of the avails
2 of the motor fuels tax are in substantial compliance with R.S. 47:818.12.1.
3 Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if in any three consecutive
4 audits, the legislative auditor finds a lack of substantial compliance in the use of the
5 avails of the tax levied pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 47:818.12.1, the Legislative
6 Audit Advisory Council shall recommend appropriate action to the legislature.
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)]
HB 598 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Abramson
Abstract: Provides for changes to the Highway Priority Program and requires the reporting
and auditing of certain information regarding the program and the use of the avails
of the taxes levied on certain motor fuels.
Present law establishes a prioritization process for construction of highway and bridge
projects utilized to develop a Highway Priority Program that accomplishes many goals
including bringing the state highway system into a good state of repair and optimizes the
usage and efficiency of existing transportation facilities.
Proposed law retains present law but adds to the goals of the prioritization process the
development of a program to ensure that the taxes levied on motor fuels on or after August
1, 2017 are used by the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) in the most
cost-effective manner and that the state is maximizing state and federal funding on costs
related to the actual construction and maintenance of highway and bridge projects and
minimizing the use of these funds on administrative costs for DOTD.
Proposed law specifies that in cases where Priority A and B mega-projects would be
prioritized equally in accordance with proposed law and present law, consideration must be
given to mega-projects that have match monies from non-federal or non-state sources.
Present law requires, beginning in FY 2017-2018, DOTD to provide the legislature and
public with a program that lists projects to be constructed in the ensuing fiscal year in an
order of priority that is determined after projects are analyzed utilizing a process based on
an objective analysis that considers the following factors relative to the cost of the project
and anticipated revenues to be appropriated by the legislature:
(1)The condition of the roads, streets, and structures making up the state highway
system and the urgency of the improvements considering their order of needs.
(2)The type and volume of traffic on a roadway, highway, or bridge.
(3)The crash records for a roadway, highway, or bridge.
(4)The technical difficulties in the preparation of plans and the procurement of rights-
of-way for a roadway, highway, or bridge.
Page 7 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
(5)Whether an unforeseeable emergency has created an immediate need for
improvement or reconstruction.
(6)Whether capacity improvements are warranted due to population or traffic volume
increases in a geographic area.
(7)Whether the highway or bridge is or will be on an evacuation route utilized to
evacuate large populations due to catastrophic events.
(8)Whether the improvement to or addition of a highway or bridge will benefit the
economic development potential of the state.
Proposed law retains present law but changes the FY from 2017-2018 to FY 2018-2019 and
adds a factor for whether the highway or bridge project will meet the needs of the local and
regional planning organizations to ensure that there is an equitable distribution among and
between the different regions of the state.
Proposed law requires, in addition to the requirements of present law, for DOTD to establish
a multi-year time line on the projects to be funded through the program each year including
an indication of the source of monies from which construction costs will be funded.
Present law requires the following factors be considered when selecting projects to be
included in the Highway Priority Program:
(1)The condition of the roads, streets, and structures making up the state highway
system and the relative urgency of the improvements considering their order of
general needs.
(2)The type and volume of traffic on a particular segment of roadway, highway, or
bridge.
(3)The crash records for a particular segment of roadway, highway, or bridge.
(4)The technical difficulties in the preparation of plans and the procurement of rights-
of-way for a particular segment of roadway, highway, or bridge.
(5)Whether unforeseeable emergencies such as floods have created an immediate need
for improvement or reconstruction.
(6)Whether capacity improvements are warranted due to population or traffic volume
increases in specific geographic areas.
(7)Whether or not the highway or bridge is or will be on an evacuation route utilized to
evacuate large populations due to catastrophic events such as hurricanes or flooding.
(8)Whether the improvement to or addition of a highway or bridge will benefit the
economic development potential of the state.
Proposed law retains present law and adds whether the highway or bridge project will meet
the needs to the local and regional planning organizations to ensure that there is an equitable
distribution among the different regions of the state over a three year period as an additional
factor to consider when selecting Highway Priority Program projects.
Proposed law requires DOTD to submit performance progress reports including the
performance objectives, indicators, and standards used by the department to determine the
efficiency and effectiveness of the priority of projects in the program. Further requires the
report to be submitted and maintained through the electronic performance database
Page 8 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
maintained and used by the division of administration to track state agency performance
standards and on DOTD's webpage.
Proposed law requires, beginning with the program for FY 2018-2019 and for each program
thereafter, for DOTD to apply the prioritization factors provided for in present law and begin
to prioritize all projects in the program which are at the stage of construction where sources
of funding are being identified.
Proposed law further requires, beginning with the program for FY 2018-2019, the
department to prioritize all projects included in the program into two separate lists. The first
list shall include a three-year plan for all projects in the program where funding is
programmed based on the anticipated and projected revenues available for construction in
that fiscal year. Requires DOTD to publish the list with notations regarding whether the
project is on-time, ahead of schedule, or delayed.
Proposed law requires that as projects are completed from the first list, they are deleted and
replaced with projects from the second list beginning with the highest level of priority.
Further requires DOTD to devise a detailed schedule of construction for all projects on this
list which shall include at a minimum, the stage of construction, the estimated start date, and
estimated end date for each phase of construction, associated costs, and funding sources for
each phase.
Proposed law requires the second list to include a three-year plan for all projects in the
program that can be funded if additional revenues become available. Each year, as projects
move from this list to the first list, new projects must be added to the second list from
prioritized projects in the program starting with the highest level of priority.
Proposed law requires the district administrator of each of the nine DOTD districts to
determine the prioritization of the pavement preservation projects in their respective district.
Proposed law requires, after input from local government officials and metropolitan planning
organizations, at least 35% of the avails of the new motor fuel tax to be divided among the
DOTD districts based on state road mileage and average daily traffic in each district by a
formula established by the department. Proposed law specifies that in an action for civil
damages, the Highway Priority Program is not discoverable or admissible as evidence in any
civil trial.
Proposed law requires, beginning July 1, 2019, the legislative auditor to annually audit the
avails of the additional tax levied pursuant to the provisions of proposed law on gasoline,
motor fuels, and special fuels, hereinafter "motor fuel taxes", to ensure compliance with the
laws and regulations and adequacy of internal controls to ensure all of the following:
(1)That the avails of the motor fuels tax are used in accordance with their restricted
purposes as set forth in the state constitution.
(2)That the avails of the motor fuels tax are spent in appropriate categories as outlined
in proposed law and present law.
(3)That the avails of the motor fuels tax are spent on projects in compliance with the
priorities set forth in the applicable programs for prioritizing capital projects.
(4)That the avails of the motor fuels tax are spent in an efficient and effective manner
showing improvement in program operations through performance measures such
as pavement conditions, bridge conditions, safety improvements, implementation of
the La. Statewide Transportation Plan, and other outcome measures as determined
by the auditor.
Proposed law requires DOTD to annually submit a report to the legislature and the
legislative auditor which contains detailed information regarding the expenditure breakdown
Page 9 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
of the avails of the motor fuel taxes utilized by the department in accordance with the
restricted purposes as set forth in the state constitution and the methodology and outcomes
of DOTD's prioritization of projects, and all source documentation necessary to review any
metrics determined by the legislative auditor. Proposed law provides for a detailed
breakdown of additional information the report is required to include.
Proposed law requires the auditor to annually certify that the audit of the avails of the motor
fuels tax are in substantial compliance. Proposed law clarifies that if the legislative auditor
finds a lack of substantial compliance with any three consecutive audits, then the Legislative
Audit Advisory Council is required to make recommendations of appropriate action to the
legislature.
(Amends R.S. 48:229.1(B) and (C); Adds R.S. 48:229.1(A)(9), (10), and (11) and 229.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes
2. Add specification that the taxes referenced in proposed law are new taxes levied
on or after Aug. 1, 2017.
3. Add that in cases where Priority A and B mega-projects would be prioritized
equally in accordance with proposed law and present law, consideration must be
given to mega-projects that have match monies from non-federal or non-state
sources.
4. Change the fiscal year references in present law and proposed law from 2017-
2018 to 2018-2019.
5. Add as a prioritization factor of the Highway Priority Program whether or not the
project meets the needs of local and planning organizations that ensure equitable
distribution among different regions of the state over a three-year period.
6. Require the district administrator of each of the nine DOTD districts to determine
the prioritization of the pavement preservation projects in their respective
district.
7. Require, after input from local government officials and metropolitan planning
organizations, at least 35% of the avails of the new motor fuel tax to be divided
among the DOTD districts based on state road mileage and average daily traffic
in each district by a formula established by the department.
8. Specify that in an action for civil damages, the Highway Priority Program is not
discoverable or admissible as evidence in any civil trial.
9. Require the legislative auditor to ensure new taxes are used in accordance with
statutory provisions in addition to the provisions of the Transportation Trust
Fund.
10.Change certain Highway Priority Program references to general language
regarding applicable programs that require prioritization of projects.
11.Clarify that if the legislative auditor finds a lack of substantial compliance with
any three consecutive audits, then the Legislative Audit Advisory Council is
required to make recommendations of appropriate action to the legislature.
Page 10 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-740 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 598
12.Delete all provisions relative to public-private partnerships.
Page 11 of 11
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.