HLS 24RS-4893 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 277
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
PUBLIC CONTRACTS: To urge and request the La. Dept. of Transportation and
Development to study best practices for letting of public contracts to disadvantaged
business entities and to report recommendations for legislative changes to implement
such best practices no later than December 15, 2024
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to study
3 the ways in which state laws relative to disadvantaged business entities or similar
4 programs may conflict with federal standards and best practices and to report its
5 findings and recommendations for proposed legislation to the House Committee on
6 Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance.
7 WHEREAS, the federal government provides standards for contracting with
8disadvantaged business enterprises; and
9 WHEREAS, the federal government empowers state departments of transportation
10to administer such programs for transportation projects in the state; and
11 WHEREAS, in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
12Development manages and oversees the state's disadvantaged business enterprises program
13consistent with federal requirements and acts as a standard-bearer for such programs; and
14 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of Louisiana for disadvantaged business
15enterprises and similar programs to adhere to the best practices established by the federal
16government; and
17 WHEREAS, failing to adhere to best practices for disadvantaged business enterprises
18or similar set-aside programs can unnecessarily delay and increase costs for public projects
19and incentivize contracting with out-of-state businesses over locally-owned businesses; and
20 WHEREAS, Louisiana law empowers some political subdivisions to create
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HR NO. 277
1disadvantaged business enterprises or similar programs in manners that may be inconsistent
2with the best practices established by the federal government; and
3 WHEREAS, ensuring uniform application of federal best practices for such contracts
4is in the best interest of the citizens of the state; and
5 WHEREAS, making data-driven decisions relative to set-aside amounts is paramount
6to successful disadvantaged business enterprises or similar programs; and
7 WHEREAS, establishing and enforcing standards for certifications of businesses that
8qualify for disadvantaged business enterprises or similar programs is a core component of
9a successful program because such standards ensure a company is qualified and capable of
10performing the public work; and
11 WHEREAS, it is the goal of the House of Representatives of the Louisiana
12Legislature to aid persons and businesses in understanding and meeting standards for
13certification of disadvantaged business enterprises or similar programs.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
15Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of
16Transportation and Development to study the ways in which state laws relative to
17disadvantaged business entities or similar programs may conflict with federal standards and
18best practices.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
20of Louisiana urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
21Development to collaborate with the division of administration to report by December 15,
222024, its findings and recommendations for proposed legislation to bring the state statutes
23into conformity with best practices established by the federal government and to provide a
24copy of such findings and recommendations for proposed legislation to the House
25Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance.
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HR NO. 277
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)]
HR 277 Original 2024 Regular Session McFarland
Urges and requests the La. Dept. of Transportation and Development to study the ways in
which state laws relative to disadvantaged business entities or similar programs may conflict
with federal standards and best practices and to report by Dec. 15, 2024, its findings and
recommendations for proposed legislation to the House Committee on Appropriations and
the Senate Committee on Finance.
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