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 545 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Hughes
Abstract: Provides for the expenditure of money in road transfer agreements and funds to be
credited to the Parish Transportation Fund.
Present law requires monies appropriated from the State Highway Improvement Fund to be used
exclusively by the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) for funding projects that are
ineligible for federal highway funding assistance based on the road being a part of the state highway
system but not a part of the federal system. Present law requires these projects to include, but not
be limited to, design, preventive maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, and improvement of the
state-maintained system of roads. Authorizes these funds to be used to complete all of the
preconstruction activities such as planning, survey, design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition,
and utility relocations associated with such projects.
Proposed law retains present law and authorizes the use of funds to compensate a parish or municipal
governing authority for the acceptance of ownership of any road on the state highway system that
is not a part of the federal system under present law.
Present law authorizes the secretary of DOTD, upon request by a parish or municipality indicating
its conditions, willingness, and desire to incorporate into the parish or municipal road system a road
on the state highway system and to assume the maintenance thereof and with the approval of a
majority of the legislative delegation from the parish or municipality, to transfer the road from the
state highway system to the parish or municipal road system.
Present law authorizes DOTD to provide a thing of value, including but not limited to credits
towards future construction projects, payment of funds, or satisfaction of debt owed to the
department. Present law requires a thing of value equal to the amount of the present value of the 40
year projected future maintenance cost of the road to be transferred and may be funded by DOTD
as a capital project.
Present law requires such condition of transfer be reduced to writing by the parties.
Proposed law retains present law and authorizes funds transferred to a parish or municipality to be
expended on any activity allowed in present law. Authorizes DOTD to execute such agreement with
any parish or municipality.
Present law requires the state treasurer to credit to the Parish Transportation Fund the following: (1)All monies made available for road purposes from funds annually appropriated by the
legislature according to the Transportation Trust Fund provided by present constitution.
(2)Any other funds available for use for parish transportation in accordance with legislat
ive
approp
riation.
Proposed law retains present law and also requires the state treasurer to credit to the Parish
Transportation Fund compensation made available by DOTD directly to a parish or municipal
governing authority for acceptance of ownership of any road on the state highway system. Requires
such compensation to be in excess of any funding distributed by the formula under present law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 48:196(C) and 224.1(A); Adds R.S. 48:752(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the original
bill:
1. Make a technical change.