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)]
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP ORT DIGEST
HB 971 2024 Regular Session Wright
Keyword and oneliner of the instrument as it left the House
PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Creates the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment
Commission
Report adopts Senate amendments to:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Clarify that the board is to be composed of the commissioner of multimodal commerce in
the Department of Transportation and Development who will serve as the vice-chairman.
3. Specify that the classifications of ports as inland, coastal, and deepwater must be in
accordance with the Louisiana's Auditor's Informational regarding Louisiana's Public Port
System, dated January 31, 2024, and allows for any subsequent updates as needed.
4. Remove a provision that would have repealed Act No. 61 and Act No. 459 of the 2023
Regular Session.
5. Repeal provisions of law relative to the La. International Deep Water Gulf Transfer Port
Authority, the Port Development Advisory Commission, and the office of port development.
6. Require that members appointed by the governor be the executive director of their specific
port or his designee, subject to Senate confirmation.
Report rejects Senate amendments which would have:
1. Clarified that six members be appointed by the governor from a list of names of nominated
individuals submitted by the Port Association of Louisiana.
Report amends the bill to:
1. Specify that six members will be appointed by the governor from a list of four nominated individuals, submitted per port classification by the Port Association of Louisiana.
Digest of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
Proposed law creates the La. Ports and Waterways Investment Commission to serve as an advocate
for all of the state's ports, to articulate a vision for the future of the state's ports and waterways
investment through the development of strategic plan and investment program for such purpose, to
provide focus and coordination for the state's efforts to attract international trade to the state's ports,
to set funding priorities for the development and growth of the state's ports and its water
transportation system, and to leverage the financing capacity of the state's ports through coordinated
financing arrangements.
Proposed law provides for governance of the commission by a board of directors composed of the
following members:
(1)One member appointed by the governor and who will serve as chairman.
(2)The commissioner of multimodal commerce in the Dept. of Transportation and
Development, who will serve as vice chairman.
(3)The secretary of the Dept. of Economic Development or his designee.
(4)One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(5)One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
(6)Six members, each of whom must be the executive director of their port or their designee,
appointed by the governor from a list of four nominated individuals, submitted per port
classification by the Ports Association of La., and confirmed by the Senate to be determined
as follows:
(a)Two members from inland ports.
(b)Two members from coastal ports.
(c)Two members from deep water ports.
(7)One representative of the La. Railroads Association appointed by the governor.
(8)One representative of the La. Motor Transport Commission appointed by the governor.
Proposed law provides the classification of ports as inland, coastal and deepwater must be in
accordance with the La. Legislative Auditor's Informational Report regarding Louisiana's Public Port
System, dated Jan. 31, 2024, and any subsequent updates or as amended from time to time.
Proposed law requires a majority of the members of the board to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business and all official action of the board requires the favorable vote of 2/3rds the entire membership of the board.
Proposed law requires the commission to do the following:
(1)Represent the public interest in the administration of proposed law.
(2)Promulgate and amend rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the functions
of the commission.
(3)Organize, plan, supervise, direct, administer, execute, and be responsible for the functions
and programs vested in the commission.
(4)Advise the commissioner on problems concerning the administration of the commission and
the functions and operations of La. ports.
(5)Make reports and recommendations.
(6)Compile and provide all information necessary for confecting an annual budget.
Proposed law authorizes the commission to do the following:
(1)Employ personnel as necessary.
(2)Accept and use, in accordance with the law, gifts, grants, bequests, and endowments for
purposes consistent with the responsibilities and functions of the commission and take such
actions as are necessary to comply with any conditions required for such acceptance.
(3)Do such other things, consistent with the law, as are necessary to perform properly the
functions vested in it.
Proposed law requires a 2/3rds vote for any decision by the commission.
Proposed law requires the board to develop a strategic plan and investment program for the
economic development of La. Ports. In addition, requires the board to review, revise, and amend the
strategic plan and investment program when necessary, or every two years.
Proposed law requires that the strategic plan and investment program be separate and distinct from
the port priority program with the office of multimodal commerce.
Proposed law requires the board to submit the plan and program, or revisions to the La. Board of
International Commerce for review and advice.
Proposed law specifies that the strategic plan and investment program will only receive an
appropriation upon agreement of the governor and the legislature. Proposed law requires that after the adoption of a plan or revisions, that the board submit the plan
or revisions to the House and Senate committees on Transportation for review and comment.
Specifies that the committees, acting individually or jointly, have 60 days to hold a hearing on the
plan or revisions. Additionally, requires the board to consider the committee's recommendations.
Proposed law requires the plan or program be submitted to the La. Board of International Commerce
for review and advice.
Proposed law requires the strategic plan and investment program to include but not be limited to the
following:
(1)A list of projects and programs intended to enhance trade utilizing La. ports.
(2)A schedule and estimated cost for the implementation of each project or program.
Present law created the La. International Deep Water Gulf Transfer Terminal Authority, the
Southeast La. Port Authority Advisory Commission, and the office of port development within the
Dept. of Economic Development.
Proposed law repeals present law.