La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1671 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1671
Southern Rapid Rail Transit Compact
Status: in_force

A. The purpose of this compact is to study the feasibility of rapid transit service between the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama, to take all steps that it may deem necessary and appropriate in order to establish and maintain such service, and to establish a joint interstate commission to assist in this effort.

B. This compact shall become effective immediately as to the states ratifying it whenever the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi have ratified it and Congress has given consent thereto. Any state not mentioned in this article which is contiguous to any member state may become a party to this compact, subject to approval by the legislature of each of the member states.

C.(1) The states that are parties to this compact (hereinafter referred to as party states) do hereby establish and create a joint agency, which shall be known as the Southern Rail Commission (hereinafter referred to as the commission). The membership of the commission shall consist of the governor of each party state, one representative each from the Mississippi Energy and Transportation Board or its successor, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development or its successor, the Texas Transportation Commission or its successor, and the conservation division of the Alabama Department of Energy or its successor; and five other citizens of each party state, to be appointed by the governor thereof. The appointive members of the commission shall serve for terms of four years each. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term.

(2) The members of the commission shall not be compensated for service on the commission, but each of the appointed members shall be entitled to actual and reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings or incurred otherwise in the performance of his duties as a member of the commission.

(3) The members of the commission shall hold regular quarterly meetings and such special meetings as its business may require. They shall choose annually a chairman and vice chairman from among their members, and the chairmanship shall rotate each year among the party states in order of their acceptance of this compact.

(4) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business, and a record shall be kept of all its business.

(5) It shall be the duty of the commission to study the feasibility of providing interstate rapid rail transit service between the party states and to take all steps that it may deem necessary and appropriate in order to establish and maintain such service. Toward this end, the commission shall have power:

(a) To hold hearings.

(b) To conduct studies and surveys, prepare grant applications related to the establishment or maintenance of passenger rail service, enter into operating and other contractual agreements with providers of passenger rail service, and enter into agreements with owners or operators of railway tracks in order to provide for upgrades necessary to establish or maintain passenger rail service.

(c) To acquire, by gift, grant, or otherwise, from local, state, federal, or private sources such money or property as may be provided for the proper performance of their function, and to hold and dispose of same.

(d) To cooperate with other public or private groups, whether local, state, regional, or national, having an interest in such service.

(e) To formulate and execute plans and policies for emphasizing the purpose of this compact before the Congress of the United States and other appropriate officers and agencies of the United States.

(f) To exercise such other powers as may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish its functions and duties and to carry out the purposes of this compact.

D. Each party state agrees that its legislature may, in its discretion, from time to time make available and pay over to the authority funds for the establishment and operation of the authority. The contribution of each party state shall be in equal amounts, if possible, but nothing in this article shall be construed as binding the legislature of either state to make an appropriation or a set amount of funds at any particular time.

E. Nothing in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any existing statute, or to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent legislation, or to affect any existing or future cooperative arrangement or relationship between any federal agency and a party state.

F. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until the legislature or governor of each or either state takes action to withdraw therefrom. However, any such withdrawal shall not become effective until six months after the date of the action taken by the legislature or governor. Notice of such action shall be given to the other party state or states by the secretary of state of the party state which takes such action.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 327, §1, eff. July 1, 1980. Acts 1981, No. 153, §1; Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. Jan. 19, 1983; Acts 1992, No. 185, §1; Acts 2009, No. 2, §1; Acts 2010, No. 838, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §22, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2022, No. 764, §1, eff. June 18, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1656.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1656.1
Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board; creation; composition; powers
Status: in_force

A. The Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the "advisory board", is hereby created to assist the Regional Transit Authority and shall have the purpose, composition, duties, and functions provided in this Section.

B.(1) The purpose of the advisory board is to advise and make recommendations to the Regional Transit Authority in making informed decisions regarding the functions outlined in R.S. 48:1654(B).

(2) To ensure that the advisory board can function effectively, the following powers and functions shall be vested in the board:

(a) Full and unrestricted access to all written information, documents, and data which are before the Regional Transit Authority board of commissioners and its committees. However, this Subparagraph does not include items that are covered by the executive session proceedings.

(b) The power to request written briefings, presentation reports, and any other information as needed from the staff of the Regional Transit Authority in making informed decisions regarding the functions outlined in R.S. 48:1654(B).

(c) The power to adopt formal recommendations regarding any such matter which shall be presented on the record at commission meetings prior to a vote. However, the advisory board shall not have the power to vote.

(3) The advisory board shall be required to meet at least quarterly, and present findings, recommendations, and any other relevant information to the board of commissioners at least once per year.

C. The advisory board shall be composed of twelve persons as follows:

(1) An employee of the Regional Transit Authority appointed by the chief executive officer.

(2) One labor representative from the Amalgamated Transit Union who works for the Regional Transit Authority appointed by the union's president.

(3) One labor union representative from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Labor Union, or any other labor union that is formed in the future to represent Regional Transit Authority workers. This appointment shall rotate every two years and the nomination and selection shall be decided by the elected officers of these relevant Regional Transit Authority local labor unions.

(4) A member from Ride New Orleans appointed by the executive officer.

(5) A representative appointed by the president of each of the following educational institutions: Loyola University, Tulane University, Xavier University, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, the University of New Orleans, the University of Holy Cross, and Delgado Community College.

D. All appointed members of the advisory board shall commit to completing at least two hours of transit-specific training either before taking office or no later than one year after the office is assumed. The minimum standards for transit-specific training shall be established by the advisory board and shall apply to all newly appointed members.

E. Any city or parish with appointments and representation on the Regional Transit Authority board of commissioners shall have the authority to request an internal audit of the Regional Transit Authority or, at its expense, hire a third party to perform the audit. Any work hours by an employee of the authority that are dedicated to support the third-party audit shall be reimbursed by the city or parish requesting the third-party audit. All records and information requested in the audit shall be provided in an expedited manner by the Regional Transit Authority.

Acts 2024, No. 474, §1; Acts 2025, No. 511, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1403 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1403
Membership
Status: in_force

The commission shall consist of ten members who shall serve for a term of four years or until their successors have been made and qualified, as follows: Three members shall be appointed, one each, by the Sabine River Authority, the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, and the director of the Louisiana Tourism Development Commission. The police juries of Sabine, DeSoto, and Vernon parishes each shall appoint two members, in each instance one of the appointments to be from the membership of the police jury and one from the qualified electors residing in the parish. The nine members thus appointed shall select the remaining member from a panel of four names which shall be submitted to them, one each, by those landowners who grant to the commission the four largest servitudes adjacent to the Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Drive, said member to serve a term concurrent with the other members.

Acts 1968, No. 232, §3. Amended by Acts 1971, No. 157, §1; Acts 2001, No. 8, §15, eff. July 1, 2001.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:388.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 388.1
Class II and III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program
Status: in_force

A.(1) The Class II and III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program is hereby created within the department.

(2) The program shall be made available to Class II and III railroads for rail improvement needs to maintain efficient rail service on the rail network and to implement recommendations in the Louisiana Freight Mobility Plan and State Rail Plan. Eligible projects include but are not limited to:

(a) Track, equipment, signaling, and right-of-way acquisition and preservation.

(b) Rail line relocation and improvement.

(c) Multimodal connector enhancements and supporting facilities.

(d) Highway-rail grade crossing and associated equipment improvements.

(e) Planning, engineering, and design for selected projects.

(3) Funding through the grant program shall be subject to, but not limited to the following criteria:

(a) The availability of funds.

(b) A comparative needs analysis of requested projects as determined by the department.

(c) Demonstrable public benefits to be achieved by the project.

(d) A minimum fifty percent match provided from sources other than the Transportation Trust Fund.

B.(1) Transportation Trust Fund money may be used for the administrative expenses to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the program. Transportation Trust Fund monies including the monies deposited into the Construction Subfund shall not be appropriated for a project approved in this program, provided that other state or federal revenue may be utilized and appropriated for projects approved in this program.

(2) The department is authorized to compete for, receive, accept, administer, and manage federal and other funds in furtherance of this program.

C. Repealed by Acts 2019, No. 222, §2.

D. The department shall, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Section, which shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(1) Project submission.

(2) Project evaluation and selection.

(3) Program administration.

(4) Distribution of funds.

E.(1) Prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, beginning with the 2020 Regular Session, the department shall prepare and shall submit a priority list of projects requesting state funds for the ensuing fiscal year to the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works which shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of reviewing the priority list of projects for the coming fiscal year. Subsequent to the joint committee hearing and prior to the convening of the regular session, the department shall prepare the final program for the coming fiscal year for submission to the joint committee. When this final program, as approved by the joint committee, is presented to the legislature for funding for the coming fiscal year, the legislature shall not add any projects to this final construction program except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

(2) If the governing authority of a parish, or of any local unit of government, or a railroad obtains ninety percent or more funding for a railroad project from federal sources or from sources other than state funds, the legislature may give priority to funding the remaining amount necessary for the project, even if the project is not on the priority list of projects.

(3) If the department has no projects for the Class II or III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program, the department shall notify the joint committee and no public hearing shall be necessary and a final construction program for the ensuing year shall not be furnished to the joint committee.

(4) Except as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, each year, beginning with the fiscal year commencing in 2020, the department shall submit to the joint committee a final Class II or III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to be commenced in the ensuing fiscal year, which shall be based upon the anticipated revenues to be appropriated by the legislature, and listed in an order of priority of the projects herein.

(5) The department also shall provide to the joint committee annually a supplemental list of projects proposed to be commenced within the ensuing four years which are in various stages of planning and preparation. The supplemental list shall be subject to change by the department until the department finally approves each project for construction.

Acts 1997, No. 1170, §1; Acts 2019, No. 222, §§1, 2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1258 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1258
Consent of state to use of its land
Status: in_force

The state of Louisiana hereby consents to the use of all lands owned by it, including lands lying under water, which are deemed by the authority to be necessary or proper for the construction or operation of any expressway project.

Acts 1954, No. 232, §8.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:251.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 251.6
Prohibited donation, loan, or pledge of public credit or property; suits to invalidate contracts violative thereof
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) In any case in which the legislative auditor, by virtue of any audit conducted by him or on his behalf or filed with him, has reason to believe that any contract of the state may violate the provisions of Article VII, Section 14 of the Constitution of Louisiana, he shall submit the pertinent facts thereof to the attorney general.

(b) In any case in which the legislature, or any of its members, has reason to believe that any contract of the state or any political subdivision may violate the provisions of Article VII, Section 14 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the legislature or the member thereof shall submit the pertinent facts to the attorney general.

(2) Upon submission of such pertinent facts by the legislative auditor, the legislature, or any member of the legislature, the attorney general shall institute a civil proceeding to invalidate the contract, if in his opinion such a proceeding is necessary for the assertion or protection of any right or interest of the department or within the intention of Article VII, Section 14 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If in his opinion such a proceeding is not necessary, he shall submit in writing such opinion and his reasons therefor to the official or body which submitted such facts to him.

B. Additionally, the attorney general, on his own initiative, shall institute a civil proceeding to invalidate any contract of the department, if, in his opinion, such a proceeding is necessary for the assertion or protection of any right or interest of the state or political subdivision within the intent of Article VII, Section 14 of the Constitution of Louisiana.

Acts 1997, No. 1112, §1, eff. July 14, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:451.18 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 451.18
Taking evidence to jury room
Status: in_force

In reaching a verdict, the jurors should rely upon their memories, and when they retire to the jury room to deliberate, they shall not be allowed access to any written evidence or to any notes of the testimony of any witness, with the following exceptions:

(1) The judge may permit the jury to take into the jury room a concise summary of the property affected containing only the following: the size of the owner's affected property immediately before the expropriation; the size of the area expropriated; the size of the owner's remaining affected property immediately after the expropriation; a list of any improvements expropriated, and a list of any improvements not taken but which may have been affected by the expropriation, provided said summary has been admitted into evidence.

(2) The judge may permit the jury to take into the jury room a statement of the relevant value conclusions reached by each expert witness, if applicable, provided said statement has been admitted into evidence. Such statements shall not contain any corroborative or persuasive material and should consist solely of the name of the witness, the effective date of the value estimate, and a recitation of the pertinent value conclusions, and unit value conclusions, if applicable, testified to by the witness.

(3) The jury may take with them into the jury room any object or document received in evidence which requires a physical examination to enable them to arrive at a just conclusion.

(4) The parties may stipulate that appraisal reports or summaries of appraisal reports testified to by expert witnesses may be taken into the jury room.

(5) The jury shall be permitted to take into the jury room an itemized statement of the loss the owner alleges he has suffered if testimony has been presented as to each item of loss, and if such statement has been admitted into evidence.

Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:191 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 191
State highway system; length; designation
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created and established a system of state highways which shall consist of fourteen functional classifications as follows:

(1) Urban highways described as:

(a) Urban-principal arterial-interstate.

(b) Urban-principal arterial-other freeways and expressways.

(c) Urban-principal arterial-other.

(d) Urban-minor arterial.

(e) Urban-major collector.

(f) Urban-minor collector.

(g) Urban-local.

(2) Rural highways described as:

(a) Rural-principal arterial-interstate.

(b) Rural-principal arterial-other freeways and expressways.

(c) Rural-principal arterial-other.

(d) Rural-minor arterial.

(e) Rural-major collector.

(f) Rural-minor collector.

(g) Rural-local.

B. The total length of the fourteen functional systems shall not exceed sixteen thousand six hundred seventy-five miles, and the additional length permitted herein is allowed solely for the purpose of adjustments that might become necessary from time to time within the sole discretion of the secretary, working in conjunction with the police juries or municipalities.

C. The location of all highways in the functional systems established hereby may be altered and amended by the secretary to such an extent and in such a manner as may be necessary for the purpose of meeting any requirements in order to obtain federal aid for road construction in Louisiana. The system of state highways created hereby shall consist of the above fourteen functional systems and the department shall maintain its current description in conformance with the same.

Amended by Acts 1955, No. 40, §2; Acts 1979, No. 187, §1; Acts 1993, No. 549, §1, eff. June 10, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 1028, §1, eff. July 11, 1997; Acts 2019, No. 375, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:94 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 94
District office transparency; publication of district work
Status: in_force

A. Each department district office shall publish weekly on the department's internet website information by parish regarding the construction and maintenance work performed, including but not limited to a description and location of the construction project or maintenance work performed.

B. The department shall make available to the public an interactive online system to conveniently and accurately monitor the status of the department's projects statewide.

Acts 2018, No. 662, §1; Acts 2025, No. 380, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2077 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2077
Jurisdiction; powers of authority
Status: in_force

The authority may exercise powers necessary, appurtenant, convenient, or incidental to the carrying out of its purposes, including but not limited to the following rights and powers:

(1) The authority may adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, subject to oversight by the House and Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committees, necessary to carry out the purposes of the authority, for the governance of its affairs, and for the conduct of its business.

(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will an official seal.

(3) To plan, or construct, reconstruct, maintain, improve, operate, own, or lease projects within its jurisdiction in the manner determined by the authority and to pay any project costs in connection therewith.

(4) To sue and be sued in its own name.

(5) To impose, revise, and adjust from time to time tolls, fees, and charges in connection with its projects sufficient to pay all project costs, maintenance, operation, debt service and reserve or replacement costs, and other necessary or usual charges.

(6) To regulate speed limits on the tollways consistent with state speed limits.

(7) To contract with any person, partnership, association, or corporation desiring the use of any part of a project, including the right-of-way adjoining the paved portion, for placing thereon telephone, fiber optic, telegraph, electric light, or power lines, gas stations, garages, and restaurants, or for any other purpose, and to fix the terms, conditions, rents, and rates of charges limited to no more than the authority's direct and actual cost of administering the permitting process.

(8) To acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this Chapter in accordance with law.

(9) To acquire public or private lands in the name of the authority by purchase, donation, exchange, foreclosure, lease, or otherwise, including rights or easements, or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the manner hereinafter provided, as it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Chapter.

(10) To hold, sell, assign, lease, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property or any interest therein; to release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien, interest, easement, or demand however acquired, including any equity or right of redemption in property foreclosed by it; to take assignments of leases and rentals; to proceed with foreclosure actions; or to take any other actions necessary or incidental to the performance of its corporate purposes.

(11) To establish control of access, designate the location, and establish, limit, and control points of ingress and egress for each project as may be necessary or desirable in the judgment of the authority to ensure its proper operation and maintenance, and to prohibit entrance to such project from any point or points not so designated, subject to the prior written concurrence of the department when the state highway system is affected.

(12) To relocate parish, municipal, or other public roads affected or severed by authority projects with equal or better facilities at the expense of the authority.

(13) To enter, or authorize its agents to enter, upon any lands, waters, and premises within the geographic boundaries of the authority for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, drillings, and examinations as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this Chapter provided that the authority shall reimburse any actual damages resulting to such lands, waters, and premises as a result of such activities; such entry shall not be deemed a trespass or unlawful.

(14) To procure insurance in such amount or amounts appropriate to the size of the project, as determined by the authority, insuring the authority against all losses, risk, and liability arising out of the construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of any project.

(15) To apply for, receive, and accept grants, loans, advances, and contributions from any source of money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for its corporate purposes.

(16) To open accounts at financial institutions necessary for the conduct of its business and to invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement in such investments as may be provided in any financing document relating to the use of such funds, or, if not so provided, as the authority may determine, subject to compliance with state laws relative to investments by political subdivisions.

(17) To borrow money and issue bonds for any authority purpose. The bonds shall be authorized and issued by one or more resolutions adopted by a majority vote of the members of the authority and shall be payable solely from the income and revenues as set forth in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds.

(18) To enter contracts and agreements and execute all instruments necessary or convenient thereto with any federal or state governmental agency, public or private corporation, lending institution, or other entity or person for accomplishing the purposes of the authority.

(19) To enter into agreements with a public or private entity to construct, maintain, repair, or operate authority projects.

(20) To authorize the investment of public and private money to finance authority projects, subject to compliance with state law relative to use of public funds.

(21) To employ consultants, engineers, attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts, superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents necessary for the accomplishment of authority purposes, and to fix their compensation.

(22) To exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with Part XVIII of Chapter 1 of this Title.

(23) To receive, administer, and expend appropriations from the legislature and financial assistance, guarantees, insurance, or subsidies from the federal or state government.

(24) Repealed by Acts 2015, No. 275, §2, eff. June 29, 2015.

(25) To do all acts and perform things necessary or convenient to execute the powers granted to the authority by law.

Acts 2001, No. 1209, §2; Acts 2005, No. 256, §2, eff. June 29, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 685, §1; Acts 2015, No. 275, §2, eff. June 29, 2015.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:451.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 451.1
Right to trial by jury
Status: in_force

In an expropriation proceeding pursuant to this Part any party has the right to demand a trial by jury to determine just compensation.

Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1605 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1605
General powers
Status: in_force

The authority shall have all powers necessary or convenient to accomplish the aforesaid purposes including, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following:

A. The powers, privileges, and immunities authorized by law for private corporations and for instrumentalities of government. The authority may sue and be sued in its corporate name. The board may adopt and use a common seal for the authority and change it at its pleasure.

B. The power to appoint, select, and employ officers, agents, and employees, including planning, engineering, architectural and construction experts, fiscal agents and attorneys, to contract for the services of individuals or organizations not employed full time by the authority, but who are engaged primarily in the rendition of personal services and not the sale of goods or merchandise, such as, but not limited to, the services of attorneys, accountants, engineers, architects, planners, consultants, and advisors, allowing them suitable compensation. Contracts for such services shall be awarded in accordance with applicable law.

C. The power to acquire by lease (as lessee), grant, gift, exchange, purchase or otherwise own, and use any franchise, servitude, property (real or personal, tangible or intangible), or any interest therein; and to sell, lease (as lessor), transfer, or dispose thereof or exchange same for other property or rights which are useful for its purposes.

D. The power to acquire by gift, purchase, lease (as lessee), or otherwise, or to construct, improve, maintain, repair, operate or administer any component parts of a transit system, together as a system, or singly, or in groupings, as transit projects, or to contract for the maintenance, operation or administration thereof or to lease (as lessor) same for maintenance, operation or administration by private parties.

E. The power to develop data, plans and information and develop and carry out transportation demonstration projects, including the development, testing and demonstration of new facilities, equipment, techniques and methods, and the improvement and utilization of transportation services and facilities, and any other means of developing, utilizing or improving transportation in the area. Also, in other respects, the power to conduct engineering, financial and economic studies, and to make plans, designs and tests related to transit projects. In connection therewith the authority may enter in a reasonable manner upon any lands, waters or premises for the purpose of making reasonable surveys, soundings, drillings, and examinations and such entries shall not be deemed a trespass except that the authority shall be liable for any actual and consequential damages resulting from such entries.

F. The power to cooperate, participate, and coordinate with the federal government, or the state of Louisiana, or any agency, or instrumentality thereof, or any municipal governing body within the parish or instrumentality thereof, or the parish planning commission or any similar agency in the execution of any studies, plans or projects designed for the coordination of its transit system with other transportation in the area and with any comprehensive planning and development of the area.

G. The power to make and execute all contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority to include by way of illustration, but not limitation, the following contracted powers:

(1) The power to contract for managerial and operating services;

(2) The power to enter into contracts with the state of Louisiana and any agency, instrumentality or authority thereof and with any parish and municipal governments, for public transportation services to be rendered by the authority or its transit system, and for any other purposes incidental to the establishment and maintenance of its transit system, or any part or project thereof, including the payment of funds to subsidize the operations of such system if it should ever be necessary to do so, and the usual facilities related thereto;

(3) The power to make agreements with the federal government, the state of Louisiana, any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, for payments to the authority in lieu of fares for the transportation of personnel or other persons for whom such department, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision desires such transportation; and

(4) The power to contract with any public utility, railroad or transportation company for the joint use of property rights, or for the establishment of through routes, joint fares or transfer of passengers.

H. The power to apply for and accept grants or other assistance from the federal government or from any source whatever, to act as agent for the federal government, and to enter into contracts, loans, leases or other transactions with the federal government.

I. The power to borrow money from private lenders, or from the federal government, or to the extent otherwise authorized by law, from the state of Louisiana or any local government within the area, in such amounts as may be necessary for the purposes of the authority and, in connection therewith to issue negotiable notes, bonds, refunding bonds and other evidences of indebtedness or obligations of the authority, and to secure the payment thereof, or any part thereof, by conventional mortgages and/or by pledge of its revenues, rentals, taxes and receipts, and to make such agreements with the purchasers or holders thereof, or with others in connection therewith, whether issued or to be issued as the board may deem advisable. But the authority shall have no power in any manner to pledge the property, credit or taxing power of any local government, nor shall any of its obligations be deemed to be obligations of any local government, nor shall any local government be liable for the payment of principal or interest on such obligations.

J. Other provisions of the law to the contrary notwithstanding the power to fix, alter, charge and collect fares, rates, rentals and other charges for its facilities by zones or otherwise at reasonable rates to be determined exclusively by the board, subject to judicial review, as hereinafter provided.

K. The power to provide for police and fire protection having jurisdiction over the facilities of the authority provided that the board may contract for such services with municipalities or parishes or both, or with private enterprise, within its jurisdiction.

L. The power to plan, develop, build and operate, if in the authority's majority judgment it is desirable, a mass transit system between the facilities operated by the authority and to other points, and to acquire or contract with such other existing transit systems which private enterprise should no longer desire to operate, but whose continuity the authority deems necessary in the public interest.

M. The power to make agreements with the federal government, the state of Louisiana, any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, for payments to the authority in lieu of fares for the transportation of personnel or other persons for whom such department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivisions desires such transportation.

N. The power to make studies and establish procedures and regulations endeavoring to prevent air contamination and water and land pollution within its jurisdiction, and to coordinate the efforts of and cooperate with other governmental agencies dealing with the problems of pollution and the environment.

O. The power to mortgage properties constructed or acquired by the authority, and to mortgage and pledge any lease or leases and the rents, income and other advantages arising out of any leases granted, assigned, or subleased by the authority.

P. The power to operate visitor tolls, rental areas and to levy charges, tolls, fees, head taxes, and/or use taxes, and grant permits for admission to or for the use of its facilities; and to issue licenses and permits for operations and related activities conducted on, or between the facilities of the authority.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 638, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:256.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 256.7
Filing of bond or other security; cancellation of statement of claim or privilege
Status: in_force

A. If a statement of claim or privilege is filed, any interested party may deposit with the recorder of mortgages either a bond of a lawful surety company authorized to do business in the state or cash, certified funds, or a federally insured certificate of deposit to guarantee payment of the obligation secured by the privilege or that portion as may be lawfully due together with interest, costs, and attorney fees to which the claimant may be entitled up to a total amount of one hundred twenty-five percent of the principal amount of the claim as asserted in the statement of claim or privilege. A surety shall not have the benefit of division or discussion.

B. If the recorder of mortgages finds the amount of the cash, certified funds, or certificate of deposit or the terms and amount of a bond deposited with him to be in conformity with this Section, he shall note his approval on the bond and make note of either the bond or of the cash, certified funds, or certificate of deposit in the margin of the statement of claim or privilege as it is recorded in the mortgage records and cancel the statement of claim or privilege from his records by making an appropriate notation in the margin of the recorded statement. The bond shall not be recorded but shall be retained by the recorder of mortgages as a part of his records.

C. Any party who files a bond or other security to guarantee payment of an obligation secured by a privilege in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall give notice to the department, the claimant, and the contractor by certified mail, and shall file a certified copy of the cancellation of the statement of claim or privilege by the recorder of mortgages, showing the recordation data, with the undersecretary of the department by certified mail.

Acts 1997, No. 1112, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 29, §1, eff. May 29, 2015.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2187 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2187
Bonds
Status: in_force

A. Without reference to any provision of the Constitution of Louisiana and the laws of Louisiana, and as a grant of power in addition to any other general or special law, a compact created pursuant to this Chapter may issue bonds for any corporate purpose and pledge revenues for the payment of the principal and interest of such bonds. A compact is further authorized, in its discretion, to pledge all or any part of any gift, grant, donation, or otherwise any sum of money, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the terms thereof, all or any part of the proceeds of bonds, credit agreements, instruments, or any other money of the compact, from whatever source derived, for the further securing of the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds.

B. Bonds issued under the provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the state or of any governmental unit thereof. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the full faith and credit of the state nor the full faith and credit of any public entity of the state are pledged to the payment of the principal or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Chapter shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state or any governmental unit of the state to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment, other than obligations to make payments by the state or public entities to the compact arising out of contracts authorized under this Chapter.

C. Prior to the issuance of any bonds for a project, a business plan shall be prepared detailing the estimated expenditures for and revenues from the operation of all capital improvements and the time schedule for such expenditures and receipts. The compact shall employ a financial advisor, and the plan shall be recommended by the compact's financial advisor as fiscally sound and approved by the compact prior to the issuance of any bonds.

D. Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the board and shall be of such series, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, including but not limited to fixed, variable, or zero rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such registration and exchangeability privilege, be payable in such medium of payment and at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity at such price or prices as determined by the compact, and be entitled to such priority on the revenues as such resolution or resolutions may provide.

E. Bonds shall be sold by the compact at public sale by competitive bid or negotiated private sale and at such price or prices as the compact may determine to be in the best interest of the compact.

F. The issuance of bonds shall not be subject to any limitations, requirements, or conditions contained in any other law, and bonds may be issued without obtaining the consent of the state or any political subdivision, or of any agency, commission, or instrumentality thereof, except that the issuance of such bonds shall be subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission. The bonds shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

G. For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to issue bonds in the official journal of the compact authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, any persons in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause, but after that time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of the resolution or of the bonds or the security therefor for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the resolution, the bonds or the security therefor within the thirty days herein prescribed, the compact to issue the bonds and to provide for the payment thereof, the legality thereof, and of all of the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to be legal and shall be incontestable. Any notice of intent so published shall set forth in reasonable detail the purpose of the bonds, the security therefor, and the parameters of amount, duration, and interest rates. A compact shall designate any paper of general circulation in its geographical jurisdiction as its official journal. Any suit to determine the validity of bonds issued by the compact shall be brought only in accordance with the provisions of the Bond Validation Procedures Act (R.S. 13:5121 et seq.). In addition, the Bond Validation Procedures Act may also be used to establish the validity of any contract entered into pursuant to R.S. 48:2180(18).

H. All bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the commercial laws of the state.

I. Any pledge of revenues or other monies made by a compact shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. The revenues or monies so pledged and thereafter received by the compact shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the compact irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

J. Neither the directors of the board nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally for the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

K. Bonds of a compact, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof, and may or may not be exempt for federal income tax purposes. The bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be and are hereby declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians. Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all public funds of the state and any and all public funds of municipalities, parishes, school districts, or other political corporations or subdivisions of the state. Such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for said deposits to the extent of their value.

L. A compact organized pursuant to this Chapter is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds of the compact for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding and issued by the provisions of this Chapter, whether or not such outstanding bonds have matured or are then subject to redemption. The compact is further authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of a single issue of bonds of the compact for the combined purposes of (1) paying the costs of any project, and (2) refunding bonds of the compact which shall then be outstanding, whether or not such outstanding bonds have matured or are then subject to redemption. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the maturities, and the other details thereof, the rights and remedies of the holders thereof, and the rights, powers, privileges, duties, and obligations of the compact with respect to the same, shall be governed by the foregoing provisions of this Chapter insofar as the same may be applicable.

M. A compact created hereunder shall have the authority to employ all professionals it deems necessary in the issuance of its bonds, including but not limited to bond counsel, issuer counsel, financial advisors, and fiduciaries.

N. A compact created hereunder shall be deemed to be a public entity for purposes of Chapters 13, 13-A, 14, 14-A, 14-B, and 15-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, which statutes shall apply to bonds of a compact, provided that in the event of a conflict with the provisions of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.

Acts 2010, No. 838, §2, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 858, §1, eff. June 30, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:999 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 999
Scouts and camp fire girls cross free
Status: in_force

Members of the Boy Scouts of America, the Girls Scouts of America, and the Camp Fire Girls, when assembled in uniform in a parade or group consisting of not less than fifteen and under the supervision of a scout master or other responsible person, have free and unhampered passage at all times over all toll ferries in this state.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:950 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 950
Letting of bridge contracts
Status: in_force

All bridges constructed by the Department of Transportation and Development pursuant to this Part shall be by public contract let to the lowest responsible bidder pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 48:252. All contracts entered into by the Department of Transportation and Development in connection with the building of these bridges shall be in writing and in conformity with the requirements of the department.

Acts 1990, No. 921, §1, eff. July 25, 1990.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:483 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 483
Draining of public roads
Status: in_force

Parish governing authorities may drain the public roads of their respective parishes by cutting ditches and canals where necessary through private property. The ditches and drains shall be of sufficient size to drain both the public road and the lands over which they are opened. They shall be located where least injurious to the owner of the property.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:571 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 571
Creation authorized; political subdivision
Status: in_force

Parish governing authorities may create road districts and sub-road districts in the manner and subject to the limitations and restrictions contained in this Part.

Road districts so created are sub-divisions of the state within the meaning of the laws of Louisiana relating to incurring debt and issuing bonds therefor.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:996 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 996
Vessels not to be moored within one hundred yards of ferry routes; penalty
Status: in_force

No craft or vessel shall be moored, anchored, or stationed in the waters of any navigable stream within one hundred yards of the usual line of passage of any ferry-boat when plying from one of its wharves or landing places to the other. However, this Section does not apply to craft or vessels regularly moored and made fast to the established wharves adjoining the wharves or landing places of ferries.

Any master or owner of a craft or vessel moored, anchored, or stationed in violation of this Section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars. In default of payment of the fine, he shall be imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than thirty days.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:752 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 752
Composition of the fund
Status: in_force

The state treasurer shall credit to the Parish Transportation Fund created by R.S. 48:751 et seq. the following:

(1) All monies made available to the parishes for road purposes from funds annually appropriated by the legislature in accordance with the provisions of the Transportation Trust Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 27 of the Constitution of Louisiana.

(2) Any other funds made available for use for parish transportation in accordance with legislative appropriation.

(3) Compensation made available by the Department of Transportation and Development directly to a parish or municipal governing authority for acceptance of ownership of any road on the state highway system. This compensation shall be in excess of any funding distributed pursuant to R.S. 48:756.

Acts 1990, No. 221, §1; Acts 2021, No. 325, §1, eff. June 14, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:256.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 256.4
Acceptance by the department
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the department enters into a contract for the construction, maintenance, alteration, or repair of any public works, in accordance with the provisions of this Subpart, the undersecretary or his duly appointed designee of the department shall have recorded in the office of the recorder of mortgages, in the parish where the work has been done, a final acceptance of the work or a partial acceptance of any specified area thereof upon completion of all of the work. The final acceptance shall be executed by the secretary or his duly appointed designee within thirty days of completion of all of the work on the project. The recordation of a final acceptance in accordance with the provisions of this Section shall be effective for all purposes under this Chapter.

B. "Partial acceptance" as used in this Section means the determination by the department made after final inspection of a portion of the project that the contractor has satisfactorily completed that portion of the project and that such portion may be used advantageously by traffic or for other use.

Acts 1997, No. 1112, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 605, §1, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2016, No. 207, §1, eff. May 26, 2016.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1651 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1651
Short title
Status: in_force

The Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Regional Transit Authority Act of 1979.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 439, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1979.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:77.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 77.2
Bonds
Status: in_force

A.(1) Without reference to any provision of the Constitution of Louisiana and the laws of this state, and as a grant of power in addition to any other general or special law, the State Bond Commission, referred to in this Section as "the commission", is hereby authorized to issue motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds, referred to in this Section as "motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds" or "bonds", and pledge for the payment of the principal and interest such portion of the motor vehicle sales and use tax as is to be deposited into the Megaprojects Leverage Fund pursuant to R.S. 48:77.1. Such bonds shall only be issued for individual projects and secured by funds held or to be received in a corresponding specific account provided for in R.S. 48:77.1. Proceeds of any such bonds, except monies needed to fund reserves and pay costs of issuance, and to the extent not needed to pay debt service or other amounts due under the resolution authorizing the bonds, shall be deposited in the Construction Subfund of the Transportation Trust Fund and expended only in accordance with R.S. 48:77.1. The commission is further authorized, in its discretion, to pledge all or any part of any gift, grant, donation, or other sum of money, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state, or any political subdivision, thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the terms thereof, all or any part of the proceeds of bonds, credit agreements, instruments, or other money of the commission, from whatever source derived, for the further securing of the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds, including any monies provided to the commission from the Department of Transportation and Development. Any bonds shall be payable solely from revenues and bond proceeds, pending their disbursement, and investment income thereon. Such bonds are deemed to be "revenue bonds" as permitted under Article VII, Section 6(C) of the Constitution of Louisiana, as amended.

(2) In accordance with the provisions of Article VII, Section 9(A)(6) of the Constitution of Louisiana, as amended, there is hereby established a special fund to be designated and hereafter referred to as the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Bond Fund, with appropriate subaccounts to be established, for the purpose of providing for the securitization of any bonds which may be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section which shall include requirements for reserves and credit enhancement devices, all as may be provided in any resolution, trust agreement, indenture, or other instrument pursuant to which such bonds were issued. The Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Bond Fund shall be administered by a trustee as designated by the commission. The source of monies for the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Bond Fund shall be such portion of the avails of the taxes imposed by Chapters 2, 2-A, and 2-B of Subtitle II of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 from the sale, use, or lease of motor vehicles that are taxable referred to in this Section as "motor vehicle sales and use tax receipts" pursuant to Chapters 2, 2-A, and 2-B of Subtitle II of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 as may be transferred to the commission pursuant to R.S. 48:77.1. All such transferred funds shall be classified and set aside in the separately identifiable fund or account outside of the state treasury and named above, but maintained by the state treasury, and such revenues shall be assigned and pledged to the trustee under the documents pursuant to which the bonds were issued for the benefit of the holders of the bonds.

(3) The motor vehicle sales and use tax receipts which have been transferred to the commission pursuant to R.S. 48:77.1 and this Section shall be applied to pay or provide for the payment of debt service and all related costs and expenses associated therewith on motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds issued by the commission for specific projects as set forth in R.S. 48:77.1.

(4) The resolution or resolutions under which motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds are authorized to be issued may contain any or all of the following:

(a) Provisions respecting custody of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds, including any requirements that such proceeds be held separate from or not be commingled with other funds of the state.

(b) Provisions for the investment and reinvestment of motor vehicle sales and use tax bond proceeds until used to pay the costs of the projects for which the bonds were issued or the costs of financing the bonds, and for the disposition of any excess bond proceeds or investment earnings thereon.

(c) Provisions for the execution of reimbursement agreements or similar agreements in connection with credit facilities, including but not limited to letters of credit or policies of bond insurance, remarketing agreements, and credit enhancement devices, for the purpose of moderating interest rate fluctuations.

(d) Provisions for the collection, custody, investment, reinvestment, and use of the pledged revenues or other receipts, funds, or monies pledged therefor and transferred or to be transferred pursuant to this Section.

(e) Provisions regarding the establishment and maintenance of reserves, sinking funds, and any other funds, and accounts as shall be approved by the commission in such amounts as may be established by the commission, and the regulation and disposition thereof, including requirements that any such funds and accounts be held, separate from or not be commingled with other funds.

(f) Covenants for the establishment of pledged revenue coverage requirements for the motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds.

(g) Provisions for the issuance of additional motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds on a parity or subordinate basis with motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds theretofore issued, including establishment of coverage requirements with respect thereto for the projects permitted in R.S. 48:77(C).

(h) Provisions or covenants of like or different character from the foregoing that are determined in such proceedings as necessary, convenient, or desirable in order to better secure the motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds, or will tend to make the motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds more marketable, and that are in the best interests of the state, including, without limitation, cooperative endeavor agreements with the division of administration on behalf of the state with respect to replenishment of any reserve funds for the bonds, which cooperative endeavor agreements are authorized to be executed by the commission and the division of administration if deemed necessary and desirable by these parties to enhance the creditworthiness of the bonds.

B. Bonds issued under the provisions of this Section shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the state or of any governmental unit thereof. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the full faith and credit of the state nor the full faith and credit of any public entity of the state are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Section shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state or any governmental unit of the state to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment, other than obligations to make payments by the state or any public entity to the commission arising out of contracts including but not limited to the bonds, the bond resolution, and trust indentures authorized under this Section.

C. Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the commission and shall be of such series, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, including but not limited to fixed, variable, or zero rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such registration and exchangeability privilege, be payable in such medium of payment and at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity at such price or prices as determined by the commission, and be entitled to such priority on the revenues as such resolution or resolutions may provide.

D. Bonds shall be sold by the commission at public sale by competitive bid or negotiated private sale and at such price as the commission may determine to be in the best interest of the state.

E. The issuance of motor vehicle sales and use tax bonds shall not be subject to any limitations, requirements, or conditions contained in any other law, and bonds may be issued without obtaining the consent of the state or any political subdivision, or of any agency, commission, or instrumentality thereof. Bonds issued pursuant to this Section shall not be included in the calculation of "net state tax supported debt" as defined in R.S. 39:1367. The bonds shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of this Section.

F. For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to issue bonds in the official journal of the state authorizing the issuance of bonds pursuant to this Section, any person in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause, but after that time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of the resolution or of the bonds, or the security therefor for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the resolution, the bonds, or the security therefor within this prescribed thirty-day period, the commission is authorized to issue the bonds and to provide for the payment thereof, the legality thereof, and of all of the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to be legal and shall be incontestable. Any notice of intent so published shall set forth in reasonable detail the purpose of the bonds, the security therefor, and the parameters of amount, duration, and interest rates. The commission may designate any paper of general circulation in its geographical jurisdiction to publish the notice of intent or may utilize electronic media available to the general public. Any suit to determine the validity of bonds issued by the commission shall be brought only in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 13:5121 et seq.

G. All bonds issued pursuant to this Section shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the commercial laws of the state.

H. Any pledge of revenues or other monies made by the commission shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. The revenues or monies so pledged and thereafter received by the commission shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the commission irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Any trust agreement or other instrument by which a pledge is created need not be filed or recorded except in the official records of the commission.

I. Neither the members of the commission nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally for the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

J. Bonds of the commission, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof, and may or may not be exempt for federal income tax purposes. The bonds issued pursuant to this Section shall be and are hereby declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians. Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all public funds of the state and any and all public funds of municipalities, parishes, school districts, or other political corporations or subdivisions of the state. Such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for the deposits to the extent of their value. When any bonds shall have been issued hereunder, neither the legislature, the commission, nor any other entity may discontinue or decrease the revenues pledged to the payment of the bonds authorized pursuant to this Section or permit to be discontinued or decreased the revenues in anticipation of the collection of which such bonds have been issued, or in any way make any change in the allocation and dedication of the revenues which would diminish the amount of the revenues to be received by the commission, until all of such bonds shall have been retired as to principal and interest, and there is hereby vested in the holders from time to time of such bonds a contract right in the provisions of this Section.

K. The commission may provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds pursuant to R.S. 39:1444 et seq.

L. The holders of any bonds issued pursuant to this Section shall have such rights and remedies as may be provided in the resolution or trust agreement authorizing the issuance of the bonds, including but not limited to the appointment of a trustee for the bondholders and any other available civil action to compel compliance with the terms and provisions of the bonds and the resolution or trust agreement.

M. Subject to the agreements with the holders of bonds, all proceeds of bonds and all revenues pledged under a resolution or trust agreement authorizing or securing such bonds shall be deposited and held in trust in a fund or funds separate and apart from all other funds of the state. Subject to the resolution or trust agreement, the trustee shall hold the same for the benefit of the holders of the bonds for the application and disposition thereof solely to the respective uses and purposes provided in such resolution or trust agreement.

N. The commission is authorized to employ all professionals it deems necessary in the issuance of its bonds.

O. The commission is authorized to enter into any and all agreements or contracts, execute any and all instruments, and do and perform any and all acts necessary, convenient, or desirable for the issuance of the bonds or to carry out any power expressly given in this Section.

P. The commission shall be deemed to be a public entity for purposes of Chapters 13, 13-A, 14, 14-A, 14-B, and 15-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, which statutes shall apply to bonds of the commission, provided that in the event of a conflict with the provisions of this Section, the provisions of this Section shall control.

Q. The provisions of this Section shall become null, void, and of no effect on the date that all bonds issued by the commission pursuant to this Section are paid or deemed paid in full and are no longer considered outstanding or the projects permitted in R.S. 48:77(C) are deemed completed by the Department of Transportation and Development, whichever is later.

R. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any revenues deposited in the bond fund that are pledged to the repayment of any bonds issued in accordance with this Section may be collected and disbursed in accordance with the documents pursuant to which such bonds were issued.

Acts 2022, No. 505, §2, eff. June 16, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1454 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1454
Creation
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Capital Area Transit System, subject to the conditions set forth in this Chapter, which shall be a body politic and corporate and a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana and, except as provided in this Chapter, shall have all of the powers of same. Its authority shall extend to all of East Baton Rouge Parish and to all of the territory of such additional participating parishes as may elect to participate, as provided by this Chapter. The domicile of the system shall be East Baton Rouge Parish but may be changed to another participating parish by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total members of the board.

Acts 2005, No. 463, §1, eff. Jan.1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2158 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2158
Acquisition of lands and property
Status: in_force

A. For the purposes of this Chapter, the commission may acquire private or public property and property rights by donation, purchase, exchange, or eminent domain proceedings, as the commission may deem necessary for any commission purpose in the transportation corridor designated by the commission.

B. In the acquisition of land and property rights, the commission may acquire an entire lot, block, or tract of land, if, by so doing, the acquisition cost to the commission will be equal to or less than the cost of acquiring only that portion of the property thereof necessary for the project. This Subsection is a specific recognition that this means of limiting the rising costs of such property acquisition is a public purpose and that, without this limitation, the viability of many public projects will be threatened.

C. The commission may sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of a project, provided that the sale, lease, or other disposition of a state-designated project shall require department approval. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any surplus property may be sold in accordance with procedures adopted by the commission that maximize the price received for such property provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, whenever any surplus property is acquired by the commission by eminent domain proceedings, the commission first shall offer to sell whatever rights it acquired back to the prior owner or his successors in title, at the fair market value or at the original price paid, whichever is less.

D. When the commission acquires property for a project, it is not subject to any liability imposed by preexisting conditions. This Subsection does not, however, affect the rights or liabilities of any past or future owners of the acquired property, nor does it affect the liability of any governmental entity for the results of its actions which create or exacerbate a pollution source. The commission and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality may enter into agreements for the performance, funding, and reimbursement of the investigative and remedial acts necessary for property acquired by the commission.

Acts 2009, No. 518, §1, eff. July 10, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2084.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2084.6
Public-private partnership projects; comprehensive agreement
Status: in_force

A. Prior to developing or operating the qualifying transportation facility, the private entity shall enter into a comprehensive agreement with the authority and responsible public entity. The comprehensive agreement shall provide for:

(1) Delivery of performance and payment bonds or other forms of completion guarantee in connection with the construction of or improvements to the qualifying transportation facility, in the forms and in amounts satisfactory to the authority.

(2) Review and approval of plans and specifications for the qualifying transportation facility by the authority and responsible public entity if the plans and specifications conform to established standards of the authority and responsible public entity.

(3) Inspection of construction or improvements to the qualifying transportation facility by the authority and responsible public entity to ensure conformance with engineering standards acceptable to the authority and responsible public entity.

(4) Maintenance of a policy or policies of public liability insurance certificates, which shall be provided to the responsible public entity, or maintenance of self-insurance, each in form and amount satisfactory to the authority and responsible public entity and sufficient to ensure liability coverage to the public and employees of the facility and to enable the continued operation of the qualifying transportation facility.

(5) Monitoring of the maintenance practices of the private entity by the authority and responsible public entity. The private entity shall take actions as the authority and responsible public entity finds appropriate to ensure that the qualifying transportation facility is properly maintained.

(6) Reimbursement to be paid to the authority and responsible public entity for services provided by the responsible public entity.

(7) Filing appropriate financial statements on a periodic basis.

(8) Compensation for the private entity submitting or responding to the proposal in a form and an amount satisfactory to the authority and responsible public entity, which may include a reasonable development fee and reimbursement of development expenses in the event of a termination for convenience by the responsible public entity.

(9) The date of termination of the private entity's authority and duties under this Chapter and dedication to the appropriate public entity.

B. The comprehensive agreement shall provide for user fees, lease payments, service payments, or the availability or other performance-related payments as may be established from time to time by agreement of the parties. User fees shall be set at a level which accounts for any lease payments, service payments, or other compensation to the private entity as specified in the comprehensive agreement. A copy of any lease or service contract shall be filed with the authority and responsible public entity and a schedule of user fees shall be made available by the private entity to any member of the public upon request. In negotiating user fees under this Section, the parties shall establish fees which are the same for persons using the facility under like conditions and shall not materially discourage use of the qualifying transportation facility. The execution of the comprehensive agreement or any amendment thereto shall constitute conclusive evidence that the user fees, lease payments, and service payments provided for in the agreement comply with the requirements of this Chapter. User fees or lease payments established in the comprehensive agreement as a source of revenues may be in addition to or in lieu of service payments.

C. The authority and responsible public entity may agree to participate with the private entity from time to time in amounts received by any agency or instrumentality of the federal government.

D. The comprehensive agreement shall incorporate the duties of the private entity under this Chapter and may contain other terms and conditions that the authority and responsible public entity determine serve the public purpose of this Chapter. Without limitation, the comprehensive agreement may contain the following:

(1) Provisions under which the authority agrees to provide notice of default and cure rights for the benefit of the private entity and the parties providing financing for the qualifying transportation facility.

(2) Other lawful terms and conditions to which the private entity, the authority, and the responsible public entity mutually agree, including provisions regarding unavoidable delays.

(3) Provisions for the authority to retain liability for damages arising from personal injury or property damage to third parties occurring on an existing state-owned highway or transportation facility, or portions thereof.

E. Any changes in the terms of the comprehensive agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties, shall be added to the comprehensive agreement by written amendment.

F. Prior to the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement, the authority may enter into a pre-development agreement with the private entity proposing to develop or operate the facility or facilities. The pre-development agreement shall express the commitment of the authority that if it approves the transportation initiative which is the subject of the proposal, the authority shall negotiate a comprehensive agreement to implement such initiative with the private entity. A pre-development agreement may permit the private entity to commence preliminary activities, including project planning and development, advance right-of-way acquisition, preliminary design, conducting transportation and revenue studies and ascertaining the availability of financing for the proposed facility or facilities, establish the process and timing of the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement, and contain any other provisions the parties deem appropriate.

G. If a private entity submits a proposal under this Chapter relating to any highway, road, bridge, tunnel or overpass, or combination of such facilities that is subject to approval by more than one responsible public entity, the authority shall determine the process for reviewing and negotiating the proposal. Each responsible public entity shall retain its right to approve the proposal for the transportation facility and the comprehensive agreement. The authority shall be responsible for the coordination of the timing and the approval process for the proposal and negotiation of the comprehensive agreement. The authority may choose to designate another responsible public entity to carry out its responsibility to coordinate and negotiate this process if the authority determines, in writing, that it is in the public interest to do so.

H. The comprehensive agreement may provide for compensation for addition or improvements to the qualifying transportation facility upon conclusion of any franchise or concession.

I. In the event that a franchise or concession is terminated for public convenience after completion of the qualifying transportation facility, provision shall be made for compensating lenders and investors for their debt, equity, and lost opportunity. In the event a franchise or concession is terminated for operator default after completion of the qualifying transportation facility, provision shall be made to provide step-in rights or to otherwise make whole any project lenders on or prior to such termination.

Acts 2006, No. 304, §1; Acts 2019, No. 358, §1, eff. June 11, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:142 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 142
Financial services administrator has general charge of accounting, disbursing and cost accounting of the department
Status: in_force

The financial services administrator has general charge of the accounting, disbursing and cost accounting of the department.

Amended by Acts 1970, No. 414, §1; Acts 1972, No. 428, §1; Acts 1979, No. 413, §5, eff. July 11, 1979.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:759 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 759
Report of any misuse of funds or noncompliance with statutory requirements
Status: in_force

In any case in which an audit by the legislative auditor or, where applicable, the certified public accountant, of a parish governing authority which receives monies from the Parish Transportation Fund cites either improper expenditures or noncompliance with the statutory requirements comprising this Part, the legislative auditor shall promptly report the improper expenditures or the noncompliance with statutory requirements to the Legislative Audit Advisory Council, or its successor. The council shall make such further investigation of the matter as it deems necessary.

Acts 1990, No. 221, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:585 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 585
Powers of supervisory board
Status: in_force

The members of supervisory boards are the agents of the parish governing authority in all matters pertaining to road construction in their respective districts.

During road construction, the supervisors shall meet every week.

The supervisory board may, after the road bond or tax is voted, provide the specifications under the terms of this Part for road construction, call for bids, let the contract for road construction, and supervise the construction of the roads in the district. During construction the supervisors shall, with the concurrence of the parish governing authority, approve all estimates of work before they are paid by the governing body of the district.

After completion of construction, the supervisors shall meet only on call of the chairman. Their authority at that time extends only to the making of recommendations to the parish governing authority for the proper maintenance and repair of roads in their district.

The parish governing authority has, at all times, supervisory authority in all matters pertaining to road construction, location, and maintenance.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:491 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 491
Public roads
Status: in_force

A. All roads or streets in this state that are opened, laid out, or appointed by virtue of any act of the legislature or by virtue of an order of any parish governing authority in any parish, or any municipal governing authority in any municipality shall be public roads or streets, as the case may be.

B.(1)(a) All roads and streets in this state which have been or hereafter are kept up, maintained, or worked for a period of three years by the authority of a parish governing authority within its parish, or by the authority of a municipal governing authority within its municipality, shall be public roads or streets, as the case may be, if there is actual or constructive knowledge of such work by adjoining landowners exercising reasonable concern over their property.

(b) Actual or constructive knowledge is presumed if prior to or during the work the public body notifies the last known adjoining landowners of same by written notice by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. When such notice is given more than two years and ten months from commencement of such work, it shall suspend the foregoing prescription for sixty days.

(c) Actual or constructive knowledge is conclusively presumed within all parishes and municipalities, except as otherwise provided by R.S. 48:491(B)(3), if the total period of such maintenance is four years or more, unless prior thereto and within sixty days of such actual or constructive knowledge, the prescription is interrupted or suspended in any manner provided by law.

(2) When a local governing authority for any reason decides to dispose of any road, street, or property used for right-of-way purposes which was originally donated to the authority or its ancestor in title, the property shall revert to the original donor or his heirs or assigns. The authority shall notify the donor or his heirs of its intention to donate the property by sending written notice via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the donor or his heirs at his last known address. The notice shall inform the donor or his heirs or his assigns of the authority's intention to have the land revert and provide him ninety days from receipt in which to respond. If, upon the expiration of the ninety-day period, no response has been received by the authority, it shall dispose of the property in accordance with applicable law. In the donation deed from the authority to the donor or his heirs or his assigns, the authority shall reserve rights of passage for landowners who own property contiguous to the property to be reverted.

(3) Repealed by Acts 2003, No. 204, §1.

C. All roads or streets made on the front of their respective tracts of lands by individuals when the lands have their front on any of the rivers or bayous within this state shall be public roads when located outside of municipalities and shall be public streets when located inside of municipalities.

D. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, any road or street used by the public is a public road or street provided it is designated as such by the local governing authority, and it shall be within the discretion of the local governing authority to maintain the road up to a private drive; however, no road or street on private property shall be designated as a public road unless ownership is transferred or the right of way is given to the local governing authority.

Amended by Acts 1954, No. 639, §1; Acts 1980, No. 517, §1; Acts 1984, No. 944, §1; Acts 1985, No. 480, §1; Acts 1988, No. 869, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1058, §1; Acts 2003, No. 204, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:951 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 951
Combination railroad and vehicle traffic bridge; lease of right to run tracks, wires, etc. over the bridge
Status: in_force

A. The department of highways may, in connection with the erection of any bridge, construct a combination railroad, or street railway and vehicle traffic bridge.

B. The highway department may lease to any person who applies the right or privilege to use the bridge for railroad and for street railway purposes and for the placing and maintaining thereon of transmission cables and wires for telephone, telegraph, and electric power; pipe lines for the transportation of artificial or natural gas or oil; tracks, wires and other equipment for the operation of steam or electric railways; and appliances or equipment for any other purposes. The department shall not grant to any railroad or other public utility company an exclusive lease or franchise for the use of any bridge constructed under the provisions of this Part. Equal rights and privileges shall be granted to all railroads and public utility companies to the use of the bridges, upon complying with the terms and conditions and the rules and regulations of the department. The department shall adopt uniform terms and conditions, rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of this Sub-section.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1275 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1275
Unlawful for member, etc., to be interested in contract, etc.
Status: in_force

Any member, agent or employee of the authority who is interested, either directly or indirectly in any contract of another with the authority, or in the sale of any property, either real or personal, to the authority, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding one year.

Acts 1954, No. 232, §25.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1602 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1602
Definitions; terms defined
Status: in_force

The following words and terms shall have the meaning indicated unless the context shall clearly indicate a different meaning:

(1) "Authority" means the River Parishes Transit Authority.

(2) "Board" means the board of commissioners and governing body of the authority.

(3) "Area" means the territory comprising the parishes of St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist.

(4) "Local government" means any one of the parishes of St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist.

(5) "Governing body" means the legislative body, commission, council, police jury, or other body charged with governing the parish.

(6) "Executive officer" means the chief executive officer or any other officer charged with the duties customarily imposed on the chief executive officer of the parish.

(7) "Transit system" means all property, real or personal, used in the public transportation of passengers for hire except as are exempted in the body of the Act, including but not limited to power plants, substations, lines, poles, and wires, as may be required solely for the operation of the present and future transit system(s), terminals, garages, bridges, tunnels, carbarns, streetcars, buses, aerial structures, ferries, rails, stations, concessions, off-street parking, and other facilities for the comfort, safety and convenience of transit passengers, rights and licenses therefor.

(8) "Transit project" means any unit, structure, facility, or undertaking in any combination which may be a component part of a transit system.

(9) "Cost of transit system or project" means according to accepted principles of accounting, the total cost, paid or incurred, to study, plan, design, finance, acquire, construct, or otherwise develop the component parts of a transit system or transit project to a normal operating or revenue producing condition, including any relocation costs and the capitalization of expenses, direct or indirect, paid or incurred, in connection therewith. Without intending to limit in any way those expenses which may be capitalized as set forth in the preceding sentence, it is understood that such expenses shall include interest which it is estimated will accrue on obligations issued by the authority to finance the construction of any transit system or project during the construction period and for six months thereafter and all startup costs incurred in placing such system or project in operation.

(10) "Federal government" means the United States of America, or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof.

(11) "Intraparish activity or facility" means any route, within the system, whose origin and destination is situated solely within one parish; any construction, equipment, and facilities situated exclusively within and having direct and predominant impact upon such participating parish. Intraparish activities by way of illustration, may include but are not limited to, standards of service, scheduling, rates, terminals, garages, transit bridges, transit tunnels, carbarns, streetcars, buses, transit rails, transit lines, transit poles, transit wires, stations, concessions, transit power plants and substations, parking and other facilities for the comfort, safety, and convenience of transit passengers, rights and licenses therefor.

(12) "Interparish" means any route or portion of a route within the system; or construction, equipment, and facilities other than as defined in intraparish above.

(13) "Bonds and notes" means bonds, including refunding bonds, notes, interim certificates, certificates of indebtedness authorized to be issued by an authority pursuant to this Act.

(14) "Civil service" means the state civil service system.

(15) "Private transit and operator" means any privately owned and operated transit operation that operates as a private enterprise within the authority's geographic area.

(16) "Transportation related taxes" may include, but not necessarily be limited to gasoline tax, parking tax, licensed vehicle tax based upon vehicle weight and/or horsepower, airport head tax, taxicabs tax, etc.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 638, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:36 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 36
Topographic mapping
Status: in_force

A. The department shall develop and maintain a statewide digital geospatial database for topographic mapping with the assistance of other state agencies or departments. The department shall act as authority for geographic names, set standards for the mapping of topographic features, and plan and manage data collection for incorporation into a statewide database for topographic mapping. Rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the department in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act as are necessary for the planning and managing of the geospatial data associated with topographic mapping.

B. The department shall submit a written report to the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways, and public works providing for a program and plan of implementation for the development and maintenance of a statewide digital geospatial database for topographic mapping as required by Subsection A of this Section no later than December 31, 2012.

Acts 2010, No. 782, §1, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 409, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:250.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 250.2
Design-build contracts; administration
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary or the requirements of this Part, if the secretary determines it is in the best interest of the taxpayers, the Department of Transportation and Development may formulate, develop, and implement a program to combine the design and construction phases of a transportation facility or facilities, including but not limited to highways, interchanges, bridges, ferries on the Mississippi River, or tunnels into a single contract.

B. This program shall allow use of the design-build method to construct the new Mississippi River Bridge at St. Francisville, connection to U.S. Hwy. 61, including approach structures and connecting roadways, which project is included in the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development program. The secretary may also select additional projects or combine a program of projects to utilize the design-build method. C. There shall be no challenge by any legal process to the choice of the successful designer-builder other than for fraud, bias for pecuniary or personal reasons not related to the interest of the taxpayers, or arbitrary and capricious selection by the secretary. Once the designer-builder has been chosen and a contract for a stipulated schedule and sum certain price executed, the price of the design-build contract shall not be increased other than for inflation as prescribed in the contract and for site or other conditions of which the designer-builder had no knowledge and should not have had knowledge as a reasonable possibility existing at the site or concerning the design and construction.

D. The department shall consider a design-build contract to replace the tunnel on Louisiana Highway 23 and shall submit a written report of its recommendation to the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways, and public works not later than February 1, 2016.

Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 105, §1; Acts 1999, No. 654, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2004, No. 81, §§1, 2; Acts 2008, No. 111, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2015, No. 30, §2, eff. May 29, 2015; Acts 2021, No. 346, §1, eff. June 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:451.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 451.3
Deposit of security for jury costs
Status: in_force

The court shall require any party, including the department, who demands a jury trial, to post a bond or other security as may be required in ordinary similar jury cases.

Acts 1990, No. 133, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:947 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 947
Tolls and revenues to be kept in separate accounts; use of accounts
Status: in_force

All tolls and revenues collected under the provisions of this Part shall be kept by the State Treasurer in separate accounts for each bridge. The tolls and revenues derived from each bridge shall be used exclusively for its maintenance and operation, and the residue for the retirement of its bonds.

However, whenever it is necessary in the opinion of the department of highways to construct more than one bridge and approaches on a through or main highway, bonds may be issued to cover the cost of constructing the bridges and approaches and the tolls and revenues therefrom shall be kept together in one account and used for the maintenance and operation of the bridges and the retirement of the bonds. In such a case, all the bridges shall remain toll bridges until the retirement in full of all the bonds.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:835 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 835
Participations by highway department
Status: in_force

The department of highways may enter into written agreements with governing authorities of parishes and municipalities for the construction of tunnels, causeways, and bridges. It may, under such agreements, undertake to perform all or any part of the work so long as the tunnels, causeways, or bridges are part of the highway system. It may contribute services, materials, or funds therefor as long as any such participation is for definitely delineated projects and under a recital from the parishes or municipalities that no funds made available under such agreements shall be used for any purpose other than that specifically set forth in the agreements. The certification by the governing authority of the parish or municipality shall be full and complete authority to the department to pay the department's share of any costs which may be involved.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1103 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1103
Reports and audits
Status: in_force

On or before the ninetieth day succeeding the end of each fiscal year of the authority, it shall make an annual report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year to the governor of Louisiana. Each such report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering its operations during the year. Copies of such report shall likewise be furnished to such other persons as may be named in the resolution or indenture under or pursuant to which any outstanding bonds of the authority may have been issued. The authority shall cause an audit of its books and accounts to be made at least once each year by certified public accountants at the time and in the manner prescribed in any resolution or indenture under or pursuant to which any outstanding bonds of the authority may have been issued, and, otherwise, as the authority may by resolution prescribe and the cost thereof shall be deemed part of the cost of the operation of its facilities; provided, however, that during the period of construction of any bridge or ferry the cost of such audit and of the preparation of the annual report herein provided for, may be deemed a part of the construction cost.

Acts 1958, No. 526, §13.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:579 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 579
Corporate seal
Status: in_force

The corporate seal of the parish governing authority creating the district may be adopted by the district as its corporate seal.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:294 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 294
Contract types
Status: in_force

A. The department shall utilize either cost plus fixed fee with a maximum limitation, cost per unit of work, specific rates of compensation, or lump sum contracts for either competitive or noncompetitive selections. The fee shall either be negotiated or predetermined. In general, negotiated cost plus fixed fee contracts are used for larger projects with more complex and difficult to determine scopes of services, and pre-determined lump sum fee contracts are used for smaller projects with easier to determine scopes of services.

B. Procedures for utilizing negotiated lump sum fee, cost per unit of work, specific rates of compensation, or cost plus fixed fee with maximum limitation contracts shall be as follows:

(1) Advertisement as required by this Part shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(a) Length and description of project.

(b) Services required.

(c) Material or information to be furnished by the department.

(d) General information and an outline of the selection process, including the criteria/categories used to evaluate the responses and the weighting factors for each.

(2) Except for Louisiana Transportation Research Center projects, after a consulting firm has been chosen, such firm shall be invited to submit a proposal within a time limit. Construction and preconstruction proposals shall conform to the "Consultant Contract Services Manual". Research proposals shall conform to the Louisiana Transportation Research Center's "Manual on Research Procedures". This proposal shall be analyzed by the technical personnel of the involved units and a pre-award audit may be obtained.

(3) The technical review personnel shall negotiate any differences between the man-hour estimates of the department and the consultant firm. Should attempts at agreement between the department and the consultant be unsuccessful, negotiations shall be terminated and another selection shall be made. This process will continue until agreement is reached with a firm or team.

(4) Fees will be based on the negotiated man-hours, the audited salary and overhead rates of the firm or team subject to the department's salary and overhead maximums, the designated contingency percentage, and the computed fixed fee. The department's standard fixed fee computation includes consideration for complexity, overall fee size, and magnitude of the firm's overhead.

(5) The contract will be executed following agreement on the required work effort. The firm shall have ten business days from the date of mailing to execute and return the contract to the department. Should the firm fail to timely execute and return the contract, the department may either select another firm from the original respondents or republish the notice of intent.

C. Procedures for utilizing non-negotiated predetermined lump sum fee, cost per unit of work, specific rates of compensation, or cost plus fixed fee with a maximum limitation shall be as follows:

(1) Advertisement as required by the Part shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(a) Length and description of project.

(b) Services required.

(c) Material or information to be furnished by the department.

(d) Fees by phase of work.

(e) General information, including an outline of the selection process, including the criteria/categories used to evaluate the responses and the weighting factors for each.

(2) Fees shall be determined by using the department's man-hour estimate, the latest average of applicable wage rates, and the latest average overhead, together with a contingency where appropriate and a profit computed in accordance with the department's standard procedure. These fees shall not be subject to further negotiation.

(3) The contract will be executed following notification of selection. The selected firm shall have ten business days from the date of mailing to execute and return the contract to the department. If the firm fails to timely execute and return the contract, the department shall select another firm from the original respondents or republish the notice of intent.

Acts 1991, No. 784, §1; Acts 2009, No. 255, §1, eff. July 1, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1305 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1305
Notice of intention to create; public hearing; publication of resolution; incontestability
Status: in_force

Before any such consolidated district shall be finally created, the governing authority of the parish shall publish in the official journal of the parish at least once not less than fifteen days prior to the date of hearing a notice of its intention to create such district and fixing a date for the holding of a public hearing in which all persons interested may be heard on the question of the advisability of creating the district. Such notice of hearing shall set forth the proposed name and boundaries of the district, list the districts to be so consolidated, and set forth the rate and duration of taxes authorized to be levied in each such underlying district, and shall state the date, time and place fixed for the hearing. Following the creation of any such district, the resolution creating the district and setting forth the boundaries thereof shall be published one time in the official journal of the parish. Thirty days after such publication, the creation of the district shall become incontestable, and no court shall have any right to entertain litigation questioning the legality of the creation of such district.

Acts 1964, No. 223, §2; Acts 2024, No. 610, §2A; Redesignated from R.S. 48:1302.

NOTE: Former R.S. 48:1305 redesignated as R.S. 48:1308 by Acts 2024, No. 610, §2A.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:455 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 455
Judgment to provide interest
Status: in_force

If the amount finally awarded for compensation exceeds the amount deposited, the judgment shall include legal interest on the excess from the date the defendant files an answer as provided in R.S. 48:450 until paid, but such interest shall not accrue on any award made for expert fees or attorney fees prior to judgment.

Added by Acts 1954, No. 107, §1, eff. June 24, 1954; Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 1988, No. 882, §1; Acts 1992, No. 483, §1; Acts 2006, No. 322, §1, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1357 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1357
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

The commission shall serve as the public support group of the Highway Safety Act of 1966 and, through the governor, shall cooperate with the federal government or any agency thereof for the purpose of increasing highway safety. In furtherance of such purpose it shall be responsible for the preparation of comprehensive, long-range highway safety programs for Louisiana, and in connection therewith it shall exercise the following powers, duties and functions:

(1) It shall study and evaluate, gather information and prepare and distribute statistical compilations and make recommendations with respect to highway accidents and injuries and deaths and the problems in connection therewith and steps being taken through research, enforcement and otherwise to improve highway safety and reduce highway accidents.

(2) It may cooperate with agencies of the federal government, other states, this state and its political subdivisions to the full extent essential to the carrying out and coordinating of programs of highway safety, and may, with approval of the governor, take such steps and do such things as are necessary and proper to secure for the state and its political subdivisions the full benefits available under the provisions of the Highway Safety Act of 1966 and any amendments thereto, including but not restricted to such steps as are necessary to obtain federal funds for use within this state for highway safety purposes.

(3) It shall serve as a central clearing house for information and as a coordinating agency for all boards, commissions, departments and agencies of the state and of its political subdivisions as to activities relating to highway safety, its problems, measures being taken to improve highway safety and matters related thereto.

(4) It shall prepare such legislation as it deems necessary or desirable to carry out a comprehensive, long-range highway safety program for the state.

(5) It may adopt, promulgate and amend rules and regulations to govern its actions and also for the carrying out of highway safety programs within the state, including the adoption of highway safety standards.

(6) It may employ and fix the compensation of such employees as it finds necessary for its purposes.

(7) It shall make such reports to the governor, the legislature and to the proper agencies of the federal government as are required by law or are directed by any of them or are deemed by the commission to be in the best interests of highway safety programs for Louisiana.

(8) It may do and perform all other things necessary or incidential to the purposes for which it is created, all subject to the ultimate authority and responsibility of the governor for the administration of highway safety programs within Louisiana.

Acts 1968, No. 275, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:631 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 631
Anticipation of revenues from special tax; borrowing money
Status: in_force

Where, pursuant to R.S. 48:588, a special tax has been voted and authorized on behalf of a parish, or a road, sub-road, or consolidated road district, the governing authority of the parish, the parish of Orleans excepted, may, in order to pay for building roads and bridges in the parish or district, anticipate the revenues to be realized from the special tax for a period of not more than five years and may borrow money on behalf of the parish or district for which the special tax was voted, and issue negotiable certificates of indebtedness covering the loan. This money shall be used only for the purposes for which the special tax was voted.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:131 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 131
Department purchasing agent; functions; bond
Status: in_force

The secretary shall appoint a purchasing agent, who shall be the head of this section. The purchasing agent shall advertise, let, and execute, on behalf of the department, all contracts for the purchase of supplies, materials, and equipment, in accordance with the provisions of the laws regulating the department. He shall give bond in favor of the governor in the amount of ten thousand dollars, conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties.

Amended by Acts 1977, No. 291, §1; Acts 1979, No. 413, §3, eff. July 11, 1979.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2074 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2074
Louisiana Transportation Authority; creation; board of directors; meetings; quorum
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Transportation Authority, hereafter referred to as the "authority", is hereby created possessing full corporate powers to promote, plan, finance, develop, construct, control, regulate, operate, and maintain any tollway or transitway to be constructed within its jurisdiction.

B. The authority is placed within the Department of Transportation and Development and shall perform and exercise its powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities in the manner provided for agencies transferred in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 36:801.

C. The domicile of the authority shall be East Baton Rouge Parish.

D. The board shall be composed of nine directors who shall be the governing body of the authority with full power to promulgate rules and regulations for the maintenance and operation of the authority, subject to the approval of the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways and public works, as follows:

(1) The governor or his designee.

(2) The secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development or his designee.

(3) The secretary of Louisiana Economic Development or his designee.

(4) The president of the Louisiana Senate or his designee.

(5) The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives or his designee.

(6) The chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works or his designee, who shall serve as chairman on a two-year rotating basis with the chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

(7) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee or his designee, who shall serve on a two-year rotating basis with the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

(8) One director appointed by the governor from the membership of the Louisiana Planning Council.

(9) One director appointed by the governor from the state at large and representative of Louisiana business and industry.

E. The directors appointed by the governor shall be subject to Senate confirmation and shall serve at his pleasure, and may be removed at his discretion.

F. The appointed directors shall take and subscribe to the oath of office required of public officials. Appointed directors shall serve until their successors are appointed and sworn into office. Appointed directors may be removed from office for cause by a district court having jurisdiction.

G. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of official business. All official actions of the authority shall require an affirmative vote of the directors present and voting at any meeting.

H. Directors of the authority shall not receive any salary for the performance of their duties as directors. Appointed directors may be reimbursed for mileage expenses incurred for attendance at meetings of the authority. The mileage allowance shall be fixed by the authority in an amount not to exceed the mileage allowance authorized under state travel regulations at rates and standards as promulgated by the division of administration subject to the availability of funds.

I. The authority should meet at least quarterly and may meet more frequently upon call of the chairman.

J. The boundary and jurisdiction of the authority shall be statewide, coextensive with the boundaries of the state of Louisiana.

K. The authority created pursuant to this Chapter and all directors thereof shall be subject to the provisions of R.S. 42:1101 et seq.

L. The authority may perform, procure from the Department of Transportation and Development with the consent of its secretary, or procure from outside service providers any service or portion of services necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations of the authority.

Acts 2001, No. 1209, §2; Acts 2006, No. 685, §1; Acts 2010, No. 59, §1; Acts 2015, No. 275, §1, eff. June 29, 2015.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1660 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1660
Competitive bidding on contracts, etc.
Status: in_force

By way of illustration and not specification, all purchases, acquisitions, dispositions, contracts, leases, bond sales, and like actions of the authority referred to in the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to the public bid laws of this state.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 439, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1979.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:143 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 143
Financial services administrator is disbursing officer; checks, vouchers, and warrants
Status: in_force

The financial services administrator is the disbursing officer of the department. All checks, vouchers, or warrants in payment of the accounts of the department and the salaries of the employees thereof shall be signed by the financial services administrator and countersigned by another officer or employee designated by the secretary, under such rules and regulations as are prescribed by the secretary.

Amended by Acts 1970, No. 414, §1; Acts 1977, No. 291, §1; Acts 1979, No. 413, §6, eff. July 11, 1979.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:232.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 232.1
Apportionment of appropriated funds by the department; tunnel replacement priority
Status: in_force

The Department of Transportation and Development may give priority and advance to construction as expeditiously as possible any bridge project where a bridge replaces a tunnel. The department may use any available source of funds to finance such projects, and may use any available source of funds, including the secretary's emergency fund, as matching funds to meet federal requirements in order to receive federal aid funds. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department may contract for such projects using any contract method provided by law, including design-build or construction management at risk.

Acts 2015, No. 30, §2, eff. May 29, 2015.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1105 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1105
Pledge against change of rights vested in authority
Status: in_force

The state of Louisiana hereby pledges to and agrees with the holders of bonds issued by the authority under the provisions of this Part, that it will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the authority until all bonds of the authority at any time issued, together with the interest thereon, are fully met and discharged.

Acts 1958, No. 526, §15.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:913 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 913
Fixing and pledge of tolls
Status: in_force

To secure the payment of the certificates of indebtedness authorized in R.S. 48:912, the municipality or parish, or the municipality and parish acting conjointly, may fix the rate of tolls to be charged persons passing over the bridge, and pledge the tolls for the payment of the certificates. The rate of toll, when so fixed and pledged, shall not be changed except with the consent of the holder of the certificates.

The funds arising from the collection of the tolls shall not be used for any other purpose than maintenance of the bridge and payment of the cost of its construction. When the cost of construction of the bridge has been paid, tolls shall no longer be charged except for the purpose of maintenance.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:574 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 574
Notice of intention to create district
Status: in_force

No district shall be created under the provisions of this Part until the notice prescribed in this Section has been given. Parish governing authorities may give this notice upon their own initiative. They shall give the notice when requested so to do by the petition in writing of one-fourth of the property taxpayers residing within the proposed district.

Notice of intention to create a road district or sub-road district shall be ordered by resolution which shall state the territory the district is proposed to be composed of, and the proposed boundaries thereof. This notice shall embrace substantially all matters required to be set forth in the resolution ordering it and shall set forth further that the parish governing authority ordering it will, in open session, on a date and at an hour and place named therein, proceed to create the proposed district.

The notice shall be published once a week for four successive weeks, the first publication being not less than thirty days before the date fixed for the hearing. Publication shall be in a newspaper published in the parish. If there is none, the notice shall be posted at two public places in the parish and published in a newspaper published in an adjoining parish.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:221 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 221
Acquisition of balance of land in certain cases; disposition; exchange; excess property
Status: in_force

A.(1) When, as a result of the acquisition of a part of a parcel of property, or of a lot if the parcel was subdivided, the remaining part of the parcel or lot has an area which is less than fifty percent of the area of the original or when the greater linear dimension of the remaining part, measured from the nearer right of way line and perpendicular to the axis of the road, is less than fifty feet, the department may acquire by purchase or expropriation the remainder of the parcel or lot.

(2)(a) When the department has acquired property in excess of the width or area required for departmental purposes or determines that certain property is no longer needed for its purposes, such property may be sold to the highest bidder after advertisement for bids twice within a thirty-day period provided the final advertisement appears at least fifteen days prior to sale in the official journal of the parish in which the property is located. However, the secretary shall offer to sell such property at a private sale to the vendor or the vendor's successors in title who sold such property to the department upon payment of its present appraised market value. However, the secretary shall first offer to sell such property to the vendor's successors in title, or to the owner of the land whose property or any portion thereof is separated from a highway by such excess area, upon payment of the present appraised market value.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, when the department has amicably acquired property that was identified as an uneconomic remainder at the time of acquisition, there shall be no obligation to offer such property at private sale to the vendor or the vendor's successors in title. This Subparagraph shall apply only to property amicably acquired subsequent to July 1, 2016.

(3) The advertisement shall accurately describe the location of the property, all the conditions of sale, and the exact time and place where the bids will be presented, opened, and read. All bids shall be publicly presented, publicly opened, and publicly read on the same day presented.

(4) If excess immovable property authorized to be sold pursuant to this Section is not purchased at public or private sale as provided in this Section, or if the cost of advertisement is greater than the fair market value of the property so that the property lacks a positive net value to the department, the secretary may do any of the following:

(a) Donate the property pro rata to the adjacent landowner or landowners.

(b) Convey ownership of the property to any political subdivision in which the property is located or to the division of administration.

(c)(i) Use a real estate broker licensed in Louisiana to sell the property. The selling price of the property may be as determined in the department's last available appraisal, or the cost of the advertisement, whichever is greater. In the event of the sale of the property, the department may pay the broker a commission not to exceed twenty-five percent of the sale price of the property.

(ii) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the sale of property in accordance with the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall be limited to property identified by the department as an uneconomic remnant.

(iii) For the purposes of this Subparagraph, the term "uneconomic remnant" means a parcel of immovable property acquired by the department where the department determined that any remaining partial interest in the owner's property would have little or no value or utility to the owner.

(iv) The department may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Subparagraph pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The rules and regulations shall require the Department of Transportation and Development to solicit all real estate brokers licensed in Louisiana and establish a registry of qualified real estate brokers to list the property to be sold in the multiple listing service database in the region where the property is located.

(5)(a) When houses, buildings, or other structures are acquired by the department for which the estimated value of sale for salvage and removal is more than thirty thousand dollars or the estimated cost of demolition is more than thirty thousand dollars, the proposed sale or demolition shall be advertised for bids once, at least fifteen days prior to the receipt of bids, in the official journal of the parish in which the property is located.

(b) If the estimated value of salvage of houses, buildings, or other structures is less than required for advertisement, or if the cost of demolition is less than thirty thousand dollars, the department may arrange for salvage or demolition by letter bids. The bids shall be solicited from the list of contractors who have submitted their names in response to an annual advertisement for placement on the department's list of demolition and salvage contractors. The department shall contract for salvage or demolition to the bidder that provides the greatest monetary benefit to the department.

B. The secretary, in addition, may exchange immovable property as referenced in Subsection A of this Section by private conveyance for immovable property needed for the construction or maintenance of a state highway, provided that the immovable property sought to be acquired by exchange shall have a present appraised market value equal to or greater than the present appraised market value of the excess or surplus immovable property owned by the department which is to be exchanged.

C. Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 298, §2.

Amended by Acts 1962, No. 199, §1; Acts 1977, No. 291, §1; Acts 1980, No. 373, §1; Acts 1987, No. 227, §1; Acts 1993, No. 1028, §1, eff. June 27, 1993; Acts 2008, No. 298, §§1, 2; Acts 2016, No. 464, §1, eff. July 1, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 285, §1, eff. May 18, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 386, §1, eff. May 20, 2018.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:757 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 757
Off-system work; prohibitions; exceptions
Status: in_force

A.(1) The Department of Transportation and Development shall perform no work on the parish road system or on any other roads or streets which are not in the state highway system, whether such work is construction or maintenance and whether the work is done at the expense of the state or at the expense of the governing authority of the parishes, except in the following circumstances:

(a) The department shall construct, maintain, and improve roads, whether hard surfaced or otherwise, within state parks and state historic sites as defined in R.S. 56:1684, and connect such sites with existing highways.

(b) The department is authorized to perform work on any off-system bridge which is included as a TIMED project within the provisions of R.S. 47:820.2(B)(1)(b).

(c) The department is authorized to perform work on intersectional improvements on parish roads or municipal streets and to perform work on parish roads or municipal streets for purposes of operational or safety reasons when the parish road or municipal street intersects with a state highway which is programmed for improvement or construction; however, the distance of such off-system work shall conform to AASHTO design standards as adopted pursuant to R.S. 48:35.

(d) The department may construct, maintain, and improve roads, whether hard-surfaced or otherwise, within wildlife management areas owned by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and proclaimed as a wildlife management area by the governor, refuges, and other lands owned by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Such work shall be at the direction of, and in cooperation with, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and shall be funded from monies specifically designated for that purpose.

(2) Any construction project undertaken by the department as provided in this Subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Subpart A of Part XIII of Chapter 1 of this Title.

B. In an emergency as found and declared by the governor, the governor may expend state funds on parish roads. However, the department may stripe parish roads upon the request of any parish, with the parish bearing the cost of said striping, when in the opinion of the secretary or his designee surplus manpower and equipment are available and the purchase of new equipment is not required.

C. In addition, in instances in which the federal government has established programs pertaining to off-system construction, maintenance, or improvement, the department may participate in said projects and provide necessary matching funds including but not limited to monies in the Transportation Trust Fund. Funding for programs under the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to the availability and appropriation of funds in excess of the total funds appropriated for the Parish Transportation Fund in Fiscal Year 1994-1995.

Acts 1990, No. 221, §1; Acts 1995, No. 428, §1, eff. June 17, 1995; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 157, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 681, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 709, §2; Acts 2010, No. 291, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:256.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 256.5
Claimant defined; filing of sworn statements of amounts due; payment by the department
Status: in_force

A. "Claimant", as used in this Chapter, means any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or supplies for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works, or for transporting and delivering such materials or supplies to the site of the job by a for-hire carrier, or for furnishing oil, gas, electricity, or other materials or supplies for use in machines used in the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works, including persons to whom money is due for the lease or rental of movable property, used at the site of the immovable and leased to the contractor or subcontractor by written contract, and including registered or certified surveyors or engineers, or licensed architects, or their professional subconsultants, employed by the contractor or subcontractor in connection with the building of any public work.

B. Any claimant shall, after the maturity of his claim and within forty-five days after the recordation of final acceptance of the work by the department or of notice of default of the contractor or subcontractor, record the original sworn statement of the amount due him in the office of the recorder of mortgages for the parish in which the work is done and file a certified copy of the recorded sworn statement of the amount due, showing the recordation data, with the undersecretary of the department.

C.(1) To be entitled to assert the claim given by Subsection B of this Section, the lessor of movables shall deliver a copy of the lease to the department and the contractor, not more than ten days after the movables are first placed at the site of the immovable for use in the work.

(2) The claim or privilege granted the lessor of the movables by Subsection B of this Section is limited to and secures only the part of the rentals accruing during the time the movable is located at the site of the immovable for use in a work. A movable shall be deemed not located at the site of the immovable for use in a work after one or more of the following have occurred:

(a) The work is completed or abandoned.

(b) The notice of final acceptance of the work is filed.

(c) The lessee has abandoned the movable, or use of the movable in a work is completed or no longer necessary, and the owner or contractor gives written notice to the lessor of abandonment or completion of use.

D.(1) The department shall withhold from progress payments and the final payment one hundred twenty-five percent of the amount claimed after receipt by the undersecretary of the department at the location specified in the recorded contract of a sworn statement of amount due from a claimant to the extent of payments due and owed the contractor after receipt of said claim.

(2) When the department makes final payment to the contractor without deducting such amounts as required in this Subsection of all outstanding claims so served on it or without obtaining a bond from the contractor to cover the total amount of all outstanding claims, the department shall become liable for the amount of these claims to the extent of its failure to withhold funds as required in this Subsection.

E. If an architect or engineer has not been employed by the contractor or subcontractor, he shall have no claim to or privilege on the funds due the contractor or subcontractor, nor shall such architect or engineer be within the coverage of the payment and performance bond required of the contractor by R.S. 38:2241.

Acts 1997, No. 1112, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 126, §2, eff. May 5, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 609, §1, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2015, No. 29, §1, eff. May 29, 2015.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:92 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 92
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

The chief engineer or his designated representative shall approve all plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of all highways under the provisions of this Chapter. He also has such other duties as may be assigned to him by the secretary or the assistant secretary for project delivery by the provisions of this Chapter. He shall report the proceedings of his office to the assistant secretary for project delivery. Subject to and pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 48:259, the chief engineer has direct supervision of the maintenance of the highways and other facilities of the department.

Amended by Acts 1977, No. 291, §1; Acts 1979, No. 413, §2, eff. July 11, 1979; Acts 1984, No. 625, §1; Acts 2006, No. 11, §5; Acts 2025, No. 380, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2101 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2101
Bonds
Status: in_force

A. Without reference to any provision of the Constitution of Louisiana and the laws of Louisiana, and as a grant of power in addition to any other general or special law, the commission created pursuant to this Chapter may issue bonds for any commission purpose and pledge revenues for the payment of the principal and interest of such bonds. The commission is further authorized, in its discretion, to pledge all or any part of any gift, grant, donation, or other sum of money, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the terms thereof, all or any part of the proceeds of bonds, credit agreements, instruments, or any other money of the commission, from whatever source derived, for the further securing of the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds. Any such bonds shall be payable solely from revenues and bond proceeds, pending their disbursement, and investment income thereon.

B. Bonds issued under the provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the state or of any governmental unit thereof. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the full faith and credit of the state nor the full faith and credit of any public entity of the state are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Chapter shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state or any governmental unit of the state to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment, other than obligations to make payments by the state or any public entity to the commission arising out of contracts authorized under this Chapter.

C. Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the commission and shall be of such series, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, including but not limited to fixed, variable, or zero rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such registration and exchangeability privilege, be payable in such medium of payment and at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity at such price or prices as determined by the commission, and be entitled to such priority on the revenues as such resolution or resolutions may provide.

D. Bonds shall be sold by the commission at public sale by competitive bid or negotiated private sale and at such price as the commission may determine to be in the best interest of the authority.

E. The issuance of bonds shall not be subject to any limitations, requirements, or conditions contained in any other law, and bonds may be issued without obtaining the consent of the state or any political subdivision, or of any agency, commission, or instrumentality thereof, except that the issuance of such bonds shall be subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission. The bonds shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

F. For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to issue bonds in the official journal of the commission authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, any person in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause, but after that time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of the resolution or of the bonds or the security therefor for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the resolution, the bonds or the security therefor within the thirty days herein prescribed, the authority to issue bonds and provide for the payment thereof, the legality thereof and of all of the provisions of the resolution or other proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters. Any notice of intent so published shall set forth in reasonable detail the purpose of the bonds, the security therefor, and the parameters of amount, duration, and interest rates. The commission may designate any paper of general circulation in its geographical jurisdiction to publish the notice of intent or may utilize electronic media available to the general public. Any suit to determine the validity of bonds issued by the commission shall be brought only in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 13:5121 et seq.

G. All bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the commercial laws of the state.

H. Any pledge of revenues or other monies made by the commission shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. The revenues or monies so pledged and thereafter received by the commission shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the commission irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

I. Neither the members of the commission nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally for the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

J. Bonds of the commission, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof and may or may not be exempt for federal income tax purposes. The bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be and are hereby declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians. Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all public funds of the state and any and all public funds of municipalities, parishes, school districts, or other political corporations or subdivisions of the state. Such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for said deposits to the extent of their value. When any bonds shall have been issued hereunder, neither the legislature, the commission, nor any other commission may discontinue or decrease the revenues pledged to the payment of the bonds authorized hereunder or permit to be discontinued or decreased said revenues in anticipation of the collection of which such bonds have been issued, or in any way make any change in the allocation and dedication of the revenues which would diminish the amount of the revenues to be received by the commission, until all of such bonds shall have been retired as to principal and interest, and there is hereby vested in the holders from time to time of such bonds a contract right in the provisions of this Section.

K. The commission may provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds pursuant to R.S. 39:1444 et seq.

L. The holders of any bonds issued hereunder shall have such rights and remedies as may be provided in the resolution or trust agreement authorizing the issuance of the bonds, including but not by way of limitation, appointment of a trustee for the bondholders and any other available civil action to compel compliance with the terms and provisions of the bonds and the resolution or trust agreement.

M. Subject to the agreements with the holders of bonds, all proceeds of bonds and all revenues pledged under a resolution or trust agreement authorizing or securing such bonds shall be deposited and held in trust in a fund or funds separate and apart from all other funds of the commission. Subject to the resolution or trust agreement, the trustee shall hold the same for the benefit of the holders of the bonds for the application and disposition thereof solely to the respective uses and purposes provided in such resolution or trust agreement.

N. The commission created hereunder is authorized to employ all professionals it deems necessary in the issuance of its bonds.

O. The commission created hereunder shall be deemed to be a public entity for purposes of Chapters 13, 13-A, 14, 14-A, 14-B, and 15-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, which statutes shall apply to bonds of the commission, provided that in the event of a conflict with the provisions of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.

Acts 2003, No. 893, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:105.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 105.1
Transportation Training and Education Center Dedicated Fund Account; creation
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Transportation and Development may assess reasonable registration fees to participants in transportation education courses offered by the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) Transportation Training and Education Center.

B. The secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with law to effectuate the provisions of this Section, to implement a registration fee policy, and to provide for the uses and disposition of the fees collected. All fees collected pursuant to this Section and the rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary shall be deposited into the LTRC Transportation Training and Education Center Dedicated Fund Account as provided for in Subsection D of this Section.

C. The rules and regulations may authorize the assistant secretary for project delivery or his duly authorized representative to assess reduced fees for governmental personnel and faculty and staff of colleges and universities, provided those entities meet all state and federal requirements for a fee reduction.

D. There is hereby created, as a special statutorily dedicated fund account in the state treasury, the LTRC Transportation Training and Education Center Dedicated Fund Account, hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "account". After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, an amount equal to the monies received by the state treasury pursuant to the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section and rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Transportation and Development shall be deposited into the account. The monies so deposited shall be used to defray the expenses of the LTRC Transportation Training and Education Center in connection with the development, contracting, delivery, and administration of the center's transportation training program. Monies in the account shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund, and interest earned on the investment of such monies shall be credited to the account after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana. Excess monies over and above the expenses of the center shall be distributed to workforce development programs and projects within the Department of Transportation and Development. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the account at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the account for use in subsequent fiscal years. Monies deposited into the account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills and shall be available for annual appropriation by the legislature.

Acts 2007, No. 49, §1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2021, No. 114, §14, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2025, No. 380, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:879 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 879
Action to enforce rights of bondholders and trustee
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided by resolution passed before the issuance of the bonds by the trust indenture, any holder of any bonds issued under the provisions of this Sub-part or of any of the coupons attached thereto, and the trustee under the trust indenture, if any, may, by any proceeding, protect and enforce all rights granted under this Sub-part, or by the resolution or trust indenture, to be performed by the parish, its governing authority or by the director of highways, or any officer thereof.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2189 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2189
Cessation of railway; conveyance of project
Status: in_force

A. When bonds issued for any parish-related project and the interest thereon have been paid in full, or sufficient funds have been deposited in trust for that purpose, and the parish project is in a condition of maintenance satisfactory to the parish, said project and any property acquired as part of project costs shall be transferred by the compact to and shall thereby be conveyed in full ownership to the respective parish; and the parish shall assume jurisdiction and control of the project, which shall then become part of the parish road system and be subject to maintenance, control, and operation of the parish as an integral part of the parish road system, and the parish, in its discretion, may provide that any toll or fee collected may be continued for the purpose of maintenance. Upon the later of payment in full of all bonds and the interest thereon, the deposit of funds in trust for such purpose, or the final resolution of any disputes or litigation pending against a compact on such transfer and conveyance date, the existence of the compact shall terminate. From the date of such transfer and conveyance of the project, the compact shall continue to exist to dispose of any unresolved litigation not related to the day-to-day management of the project. If no such litigation is pending on the date the project transfers and conveys, the compact shall terminate on the transfer and conveyance date.

B. When bonds issued for any municipal-designated project and the interest thereon has been paid in full, or sufficient funds have been deposited in trust for that purpose and the municipal project is in a condition of maintenance satisfactory to the municipality, said project and any property acquired as part of the project costs shall be transferred by the compact to and shall thereby be conveyed in full ownership to the respective municipality; and the municipality shall assume jurisdiction and control of the project, which shall then become part of the municipal road system and be subject to maintenance, control, and operation of the municipality as an integral part of the municipal road system, and the municipality, in its discretion, may provide that any fee collected may be continued for the purpose of maintenance. Upon the later of either the payment in full of all bonds and the interest thereon, or the deposit of funds in trust for such purpose, or the final resolution of any disputes or litigation pending against a compact on such transfer and conveyance date, the existence of the compact shall terminate. From the date of such transfer and conveyance of the project, the compact shall continue to exist to dispose of any unresolved litigation not related to the day-to-day management of the project. If no such litigation is pending on the date the project transfers and conveys, the compact shall terminate on the transfer and conveyance date.

C. A notice of transfer and reversion of ownership of any such project shall be published twice in the official journal of the state, parish, or municipality, as the case may be, to receive such ownership conveyance with the first publication to be made not more than one hundred eighty nor less than one hundred fifty days from the full bond principal and interest payment or date of deposit in trust therefor and the second not more than ninety nor less than sixty days therefrom.

D. Any parish or municipality may form or join a compact formed under the provisions of this Chapter by another parish or municipality with the approval of the governing authority of such parish and parish president, or the governing authority of the municipality.

Acts 2010, No. 838, §2, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 858, §1, eff. June 30, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1460 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1460
Powers
Status: in_force

The board, as governing authority of the system, shall have all powers necessary or convenient to accomplish the policy declared in this Chapter, including but not limited to:

(1) The powers, privileges, and immunities authorized by law for political subdivisions. The system may sue or may be sued.

(2) The power to receive and acquire the transit system operated by the quasi-public, nonprofit corporation created by the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East Baton Rouge pursuant to R.S. 12:202.1 and all of its rights and obligations, to maintain and expand that system and its facilities in East Baton Rouge Parish and within the area of participating parishes, including the construction and operation of bus rapid transit and light rail systems, and generally to construct, improve, maintain, repair, operate, and administer a mass transportation system or any component part thereof, and any incident part thereto, and to contract for the maintenance, operation, or administration thereof, and to lease as lessor the same for maintenance, operation, or administration by private parties.

(3) The power to acquire by purchase, lease, donation, expropriation, or otherwise; to own; to use; and to sell, lease as lessor, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any franchise, servitude, real or personal property, tangible or intangible property, or any interest therein.

(4) The power to develop data, plans, and information and the power to cooperate, participate, and coordinate with the federal government, the state of Louisiana, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or any municipal or parish governing body or any agency thereof, or the regional planning commission or any similar joint agency, in the planning or execution of any studies, plans, or projects.

(5) The power to enter into any contract with the federal government, the state of Louisiana and any agency, instrumentality, or authority thereof, and with any parish or municipal government or other political subdivision whether or not participating in the system or within the area of the participating parishes, as the parties may deem appropriate. However, no contract with a political subdivision obligating the political subdivision to levy a tax shall be valid until the tax has been approved by a majority of the qualified voters of that political subdivision voting on the proposition at an election held in accordance with the laws governing tax elections.

(6) The power to contract with any public utility, railroad, or transportation company for the joint use of property or rights or for the establishment of through routes, joint fares, or transfer of passengers.

(7) The power to apply for and accept grants or other assistance from the federal or state government or from any source whatsoever.

(8) All power to borrow money and incur debt, including but not limited to the borrowing of money from private lenders, institutional lenders, financial institutions, individuals, the federal government, or to the extent authorized by law, from the state of Louisiana and from any local government, and the power to issue bonds, negotiable notes, and other evidence of indebtedness or obligations of the system, and to secure payment of any debt, or any part thereof, by conventional mortgages, by pledge of its revenues, rentals, taxes, and other receipts, all in accordance with relevant requirements of the State Bond Commission. However, except as may be established by contract between governmental entities and the board, the board shall have no power in any manner to pledge the property, credit, or taxing power of any political subdivision or of the state, nor shall any of its obligations be deemed obligations of the state or of any other political subdivision, and neither shall any other political subdivision be liable for the payment of principal or interest on such obligations.

(9) Subject to the approval of the appropriate parish governing authority, the exclusive power to determine the appropriate fares, rentals, and other charges for transportation provided to the public and to determine the appropriate routes, schedules, and other parameters for the provision of transportation services.

(10)(a) Subject to the approval of the appropriate parish governing authority, the exclusive power to issue, issue conditionally, or deny licenses and permits for buses for hire operating exclusively within the territorial area of participating parishes, but not taxicabs, limousines, or sightseeing or tourist guide vehicles, including the power to govern rates charged to the public, to promulgate rules and regulations for the safety and welfare of the riding public, and to establish the procedure and criteria for the issuance of permits.

(b) In the absence of further action by the board, the criteria for permit issuance shall include findings that all of the following apply:

(i) The system cannot provide service sufficient to meet the needs which the applicant seeks to satisfy by the service described in the application.

(ii) The granting of the application is likely to improve the quality of mass transportation services in the territory of the participating parishes.

(iii) The applicant and the applicant's employees and agents have not engaged in conduct inconsistent with honesty, fair dealing, safety, and welfare for the benefit of passengers.

(c) For purposes of this Section, "bus" shall mean a motor vehicle with a seating capacity of six or more, exclusive of the operator, which is used in the transportation of passengers for hire, excluding any vehicle leased without the provision of a driver and excluding any vehicle which is subject to regulation by the Interstate Commerce Commission or the Louisiana Public Service Commission; or which is defined in this Section as a limousine or sightseeing or tourist guide vehicle; or which is used by undertakers for the transportation only of persons attending a funeral; or which is engaged exclusively in the transportation of children to and from school and which is operated by or under a contract with a public institution or a public or private school; or which is provided by a passenger's employer for transportation to his place of work; or which provides transportation in consideration of transportation to be furnished on other occasions by a passenger.

(d) For purposes of this Section, "taxicab" shall mean all motor vehicles for hire, carrying six passengers or less, including the driver thereof, which are subject to call from a garage, office, taxi stand, or otherwise.

(e) For purposes of this Section, "limousine" shall mean a chauffeur-driven luxury vehicle with a minimum seating capacity of six but no more than fourteen passengers, exclusive of the driver, which is used for the transportation of passengers for hire by prearrangement or contract, the charges for which are predetermined on a contractual basis.

(f) For purposes of this Section, "sightseeing or tourist guide vehicle" shall mean a motor vehicle with an operator for hire and a minimum seating capacity of six and a maximum seating capacity of no more than fourteen persons, exclusive of the driver, which is used in the transportation of passengers for hire to various tourist destinations and other landmarks of interest.

(11) The power to provide for police and fire protection over the facilities of the system or to contract for such services with public or private entities.

(12) The power to impose any tax on any subject of taxation within the territorial area of participating parishes for any transit-related purpose whatsoever, except as otherwise prohibited in this Chapter or by the constitution or laws of this state; however, no tax shall be imposed by the board unless it has first been approved by a majority of voters voting on the proposition in each of the parishes participating in the system at an election held in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the board may exercise its powers of taxation within any local governmental subdivision or subdivisions located wholly within the territorial area of participating parishes provided only that the proposed tax must be approved by a majority of voters voting on the proposition within the affected local governmental subdivision or subdivisions at an election held in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code. "Local governmental subdivision" as used in this Chapter is as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974. The board may call an election for the purpose of submitting a proposition regarding such taxes to the voters.

(13) The power to appoint, select, or employ officers, agents, and employees, including engineering, architectural, and construction experts, fiscal agents, and attorneys; to contract for the services of individuals or organizations not employed full time by the system, including but not limited to the services of attorneys, accountants, engineers, architects, consultants, and advisors.

Acts 2005, No. 463, §1, eff. Jan.1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:451.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 451.9
Peremptory challenges
Status: in_force

Each side is allowed three peremptory challenges. If there is more than one party on any side, the court may allow each side additional peremptory challenges, not to exceed two. Each side shall be allowed an equal number of peremptory challenges. If the parties on a side are unable to agree upon the allocation of peremptory challenges among themselves, the allocation shall be determined by the court before the examination on the voir dire.

Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2194 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2194
Service of process
Status: in_force

A company shall maintain an agent for service of process in the state of Louisiana.

Acts 2019, No. 286, §2, eff. July 1, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:287 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 287
Advertisement; solicitation list; response procedures
Status: in_force

A. A notice of intent to select a firm for performing consultant services and to request responses from qualified firms and teams shall be advertised by posting it on the department's Internet website. The department shall maintain a solicitation list of consultant firms and teams. The department shall send an email notice to consultant firms and teams on its solicitation list to notify of the posting of an advertisement for consultant services on the department's Internet website. In the case of planning, research, or other specialty services, the department or the Louisiana Transportation Research Center may send notices to firms which, to the knowledge of the department or the Louisiana Transportation Research Center, may have experience in such services.

B. Notices shall be advertised a minimum of ten business days prior to the deadline for receipt of responses.

C. If the department deems that the number of responses received is inadequate, the project may be readvertised using additional media or publications in an attempt to solicit additional responses.

D.(1) The advertisement shall detail all information to be submitted in response to the advertisement. In all cases, a properly completed current department response form shall be submitted by applicants. The response forms shall be made available by the department. If additional information to that provided by the response form is required, it shall be so noted in the advertisement.

(2) The applicant shall transmit the response form and any other required information, to the department prior to the deadline shown in the advertisement. Responses which do not meet the requirements provided for in this Subsection shall not be considered. The department shall consider false or misrepresented information furnished in response to the advertisement as grounds for rejection.

E. There shall be no advertisement when noncompetitive selection is utilized.

Acts 1991, No. 784, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1284, §3; Acts 2009, No. 255, §1, eff. July 1, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:501 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 501
Guide posts at cross-roads
Status: in_force

Parish governing authorities shall post all cross-roads in their respective parishes so as to indicate the nearest point of local importance to which the respective roads lead and the distance thereto.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1612 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1612
Financial accounts; audits; reports
Status: in_force

The board shall make provision for a system of financial accounting and controls, audits and reports. Copies of each financial report required under this Section shall be furnished to each local governing body in the area. All financial reports, reports and documents of the authority shall be public records and open to public inspection under reasonable regulations prescribed by the board and other applicable law.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 638, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1705 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1705
Advice and services of Department of Transportation and Development
Status: in_force

The commission and the board of commissioners therefor shall have, with respect to all of the powers and functions prescribed by this Chapter, the advice and services of the Department of Transportation and Development. It shall be the duty of the secretary of said department to cause to be made available such staff expertise and support as the commission may request.

Acts 1991, No. 792, §1, eff. July 19, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1303 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1303
Road lighting districts; tax levy
Status: in_force

For the purposes set forth in R.S. 48:1301, any road lighting district may levy taxes not to exceed in any year five mills on the dollar on all of the taxable property within the boundaries thereof, except railroad rights of way and tracks located thereon. However, the special tax authorized by this Section shall not run for a longer period than ten years, and the rate, purpose, and duration of any special tax first shall be submitted to the electors of the district in which the tax is to be levied at an election called and held for that purpose in the same manner as provided by law for elections for levying taxes for the purposes set out in Article VI, Section 32 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and a majority of those voting voted in favor thereof.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 465, §1; Acts 1988, No. 504, §1, eff. July 10, 1988; Acts 2024, No. 610, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 48:1308.

NOTE: Former R.S. 48:1303 redesignated as R.S. 48:1306 by Acts 2024, No. 610, §2A.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:461.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 461.5
Removal of nonconforming advertising
Status: in_force

Any sign, display or device lawfully in existence along the interstate or primary systems on July 27, 1966 and which is not in conformity with the provisions contained herein shall not be required to be removed until July 1, 1970. Any other sign, display or device lawfully erected which does not conform to the provisions hereof shall not be required to be removed until the end of the fifth year after it becomes nonconforming.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 474, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:196 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 196
State Highway Improvement Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created, as a special fund in the state treasury, the State Highway Improvement Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund." The source of monies in this fund shall be registration and license fees and taxes collected by the state pursuant to R.S. 47:462, and as provided in R.S. 47:481, in such amounts as remain after payment of amounts due on bonds and related expenses as provided in the documents pursuant to which the bonds were issued under the provisions of R.S. 48:196.1. Beginning July 1, 2007, and each fiscal year thereafter, after satisfaction of the requirements of the provisions of R.S. 48:196.1 and compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, and after making the allocation for state highway fund No. 2, the New Orleans Ferry Fund, and the Regional Maintenance and Improvement Fund, the treasurer shall deposit into the fund the following amounts:

(1) For Fiscal Year 2007-2008, twenty-five percent of such collections.

(2) For Fiscal Year 2008-2009, seventy-five percent of such collections.

(3) For Fiscal Year 2009-2010 and thereafter, all of the collections.

B. The monies in the fund shall be subject to an annual appropriation by the legislature and only be used as provided in Subsection C of this Section. The monies in the fund shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as the monies in the state general fund, and all interest earned shall be deposited and credited to the fund. All unexpended or unencumbered monies remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain to the credit of the fund.

C. Monies appropriated from the fund shall be used exclusively by the Department of Transportation and Development for funding projects for any road which is part of the state highway system but not part of the federal system and, thus, is ineligible for federal highway funding assistance. Such projects shall include but not be limited to design, preventive maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, and improvement of the state-maintained system of roads. In addition, these funds may 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. These funds may also be used to compensate a parish or municipal governing authority for the acceptance of ownership of any road on the state highway system that is not part of the federal system pursuant to R.S. 48:224.1.

D. Effective July 1, 2025, the State Highways Improvement Fund, its indebtedness, and all non-federal aid routes within Louisiana shall fall under the exclusive purview of the office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

E. Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, the office of Louisiana Highway Construction is hereby authorized to redeem any bonds of the State Highway Improvement Fund prior to their maturity date.

Acts 2006, No. 708, §2, eff. July 1, 2006; Acts 2008, 2 nd Ex. Sess., No. 11, §2, eff. March 24, 2008; Acts 2011, No. 390, §2, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 135, §1, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 865, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2013, No. 273, §2, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2019, No. 362, §5, eff. June 11, 2019; Acts 2021, No. 325, §1, eff. June 14, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 380, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2096 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2096
Feasibility; advice
Status: in_force

A. The commission may construct projects under the terms and conditions set forth in this Chapter. The commission shall conduct an economic feasibility study prior to initiation of any project to substantiate project need and feasibility.

B. The Lafayette Consolidated Government's Metropolitan Planning Organization, and all subcommittees thereof, shall serve in an advisory capacity to the commission relative to any project or projects contemplated by or to be undertaken by the commission.

Acts 2003, No. 893, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:253 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 253
Bid bonds accompanying bids
Status: in_force

A. Every bid submitted for projects in excess of one hundred thousand dollars shall be accompanied by a bid bond guaranteed by a surety company qualified to do business in this state. The bid bond submitted shall be for five percent of the official bid amount.

B.(1) The bid bond shall be forfeited to the department or other named obligee if the bidder fails to make the required bond, fails to execute the contract, or fails to comply with any provision necessary for execution of the contract.

(2) Should the forfeited bid bond in any manner be limited or not payable on demand, the bidder will be disqualified from bidding or approval as a subcontractor on any department advertised project for a period of one year following nonpayment.

C. The bid bonds of unsuccessful bidders shall not be returned by the department.

D. Bid bonds shall be written by a surety or insurance company currently on the U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Management Service list of approved bonding companies which is published annually in the Federal Register, or by a Louisiana-domiciled insurance company with at least an A- rating in the latest printing of the A. M. Best's Key Rating Guide.

Amended by Acts 1956, No. 41, §1, Acts 1960, No. 525, §1; Acts 1964, No. 88, §1; Acts 1977, No. 291, §1; Acts 1979, No. 179, §2, eff. July 3, 1979; Acts 1997, No. 1112, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 26, §1, eff. April 24, 1998; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 36, §1, eff. April 24, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 366, §1, eff. June 16, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 652, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1310, §1, eff. July 12, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 575, §§1and 2; Acts 2007, No. 386, §1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2024, No. 26, §1, eff. May 8, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:449 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 449
Withdrawal of amount deposited
Status: in_force

Upon the application of any party in interest, and upon due notice to all parties, the court may order that the money deposited, or any part thereof, be paid forthwith to the person entitled thereto for or on account of the just and adequate compensation to be awarded in the proceedings.

The court may make such orders as shall be just and equitable to direct the payments of taxes, encumbrances and other charges out of the money deposited.

Added by Acts 1954, No. 107, §1, eff. June 24, 1954. Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:580 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 580
Official journal
Status: in_force

The official journal of the parish governing authority or authorities creating the district is the official journal of the district.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1092 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1092
Method of creation
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the governing body of one or more parishes desires to create an authority under this Part, a resolution shall be adopted by the parish or parishes to constitute the authority, signifying the intention to do so, and a certified copy of such resolution shall be delivered forthwith to the governor. Each such resolution shall set forth the exact purpose for which the authority is to be created and the name of the parish or parishes which will participate in and be represented on the authority. If the authority is composed of two or more parishes it shall be composed of one member from each parish which will participate in the authority, each such member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of three names to be submitted by the governing body of each such parish, and of an additional number of members to be appointed directly by the governor, such additional members to equal in number the aggregate of the members appointed from the aforesaid panels submitted by the parish governing bodies. If the authority is to be composed of only one parish it shall be composed of seven members who shall be appointed by the governor from a panel of not less than fourteen names submitted by the parish governing authority; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Iberville Parish Bridge and Ferry Authority shall be composed of nine members. In addition, the State Department of Highways shall make and furnish to the Iberville Parish Bridge and Ferry Authority the results of a study to determine a feasible location within the vicinity of the city of Plaquemine for the constructing of a bridge across the Mississippi River.

If the authority is composed of two or more parishes, the members initially appointed from the panels submitted by the governing bodies of the parishes, as aforesaid, shall be appointed for terms of four years each, and if the members to be appointed directly by the governor are not more than two in number they shall be appointed for terms of five years each, while all additional members to be appointed directly by the governor shall be appointed for terms of six years each. If the authority is to be composed of only one parish, three of the initial members shall be appointed for terms of three years each, two of the members shall be initially appointed for terms of four years each and the remaining two for initial terms of five years each. At the expiration of the initial terms for all authorities, their successors shall be appointed for terms of six years each.

In the event any person so appointed ceases to be a member of the authority for any reason, his successor shall be appointed by the governor in the same manner and for the unexpired term of office. Each member shall be a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter and taxpayer of the State of Louisiana, and if the authority is composed of only one parish the members shall also be qualified voters and taxpayers in the parish where the authority is created.

In the event the governing body of any parish participating in the authority shall fail to submit a panel of names to the governor at the time of delivery to him of its resolution signifying its intention to create the authority, and also in the event any such governing body shall fail to submit a panel of names to the governor prior to the expiration of any term of its member from which the governor can appoint such member's successor, then, in either event, the governor shall appoint directly a member to represent such governing body on the authority.

B. In addition to the foregoing method of creating bridge and ferry authorities under this Part, whenever the governor shall deem it in the public interest to do so, he may, with approval thereof by adoption or enactment of a legislative instrument by the legislature, create a bridge and ferry authority under this Part which shall consist of one member from each parish to participate in and be represented on said authority and an equal number of members to be appointed at large, all to be appointed directly by the governor; provided that if the authority is composed of only one parish, it shall consist of three members from the parish, all to be appointed by the governor.

C. The authority shall elect from among its own members a chairman, a vice-chairman and a secretary-treasurer, whose respective duties shall be prescribed by the authority. The authority shall meet in regular session once each month, and shall also meet in special session at the call of the chairman or at the request of three members of the authority. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum, and all actions or resolutions of the authority must be approved by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all members of the authority. The authority shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings and shall fix the place at which the meetings shall be held.

D. Each authority created hereunder is hereby declared to be a body corporate and politic, constituting an instrumentality of the State of Louisiana exercising public and essential governmental functions, and the exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by this Part in the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of bridges and ferries shall be deemed and held to be an essential governmental function of the State of Louisiana. The authority shall not be deemed to be a public utility and shall not be subject in any respect whatever to the authority, control or supervision of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The authority shall possess all the powers provided in this Part, and such powers shall be exercised within the geographical limits of the parish or parishes constituting the authority.

E. Each member of an authority created hereunder shall be paid a per diem of twenty-five dollars for each day of attendance at meetings of the authority or on business for the authority at its direction.

Acts 1958, No. 526, §2. Amended by Acts 1969, No. 57, §1; Acts 1977, No. 627, §1, eff. July 20, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:711 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 711
Authorization to dispose of immovable property; parishes of East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, and St. Tammany; cities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Slidell; municipalities of Jefferson Parish
Status: in_force

Upon a determination by the governing authority of the parishes of East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, or St. Tammany, the cities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, or Slidell, or the municipalities in the parish of Jefferson, to the effect that any immovable property owned by the parish or municipality or title to which is in the public, including but without limitation, streets, roads, and alleys, is no longer needed for public use, it may be disposed of in the manner provided in this Part.

Acts 1987, No. 194, §1; Acts 1988, No. 258, §1; Acts 2009, No. 38, §1; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 39, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:1163 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 1163
Transfer of records, money and equipment
Status: in_force

All books, papers, records, money, choses in action and other property heretofore possessed, controlled or used by any authority in the exercise of functions herein transferred are hereby transferred to the board of highways.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 726, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:461.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 461.7
Unlawful advertising
Status: in_force

Unlawful advertising shall be any sign, display or device which violates the provisions of this Part. The department shall give thirty days notice, by certified mail, to the owner of such device to remove same if it is a prohibited device or cause it to conform to regulations if it is an authorized device. If the owner of such device fails to act within thirty days, as required in the notice, the department shall remove the advertising device at the expense of the owner thereof.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 474, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:302 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 302
Design of controlled-access facility; right of access
Status: in_force

The highway authorities may design any controlled-access facility and regulate, restrict, or prohibit access so as to best serve the traffic for which it is intended. The authority's determination of that design is final.

They may divide and separate any controlled-access facility into separate roadways by the construction of raised curbings, central dividing sections, or other physical separations, or by designating the separate roadways by signs, markers, stripes, and the proper lane for such traffic by appropriate signs, markers, stripes and other devices. No person has any right of access to, from or across controlled-access facilities to or from abutting lands, except at the designated points at which access is permitted upon the terms and conditions specified from time to time.

Added by Acts 1955, No. 129, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2140 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2140
Bonds
Status: in_force

A. Without reference to any provision of the Constitution of Louisiana and the laws of Louisiana, and as a grant of power in addition to any other general or special law, the authority created pursuant to this Chapter may issue bonds for any authority purpose and pledge revenues for the payment of the principal and interest of such bonds. The board is further authorized, in its discretion, to pledge all or any part of any gift, grant, donation, or other sum of money, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the terms thereof, all or any part of the proceeds of bonds, credit agreements, instruments, or any other money of the authority, from whatever source derived, for the further securing of the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds. Any such bonds shall be payable solely from revenues and bond proceeds, pending their disbursement, and investment income thereon.

B. Bonds issued under the provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the state or of any governmental unit thereof. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the full faith and credit of the state nor the full faith and credit of any public entity of the state are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Chapter shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state or any governmental unit of the state to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment, other than obligations to make payments by the state or any public entity to the authority arising out of contracts authorized under this Chapter.

C. Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the board and shall be of such series, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, including but not limited to fixed, variable, or zero rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such registration and exchangeability privilege, be payable in such medium of payment and at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity at such price or prices as determined by the board, and be entitled to such priority on the revenues as such resolution or resolutions may provide.

D. Bonds shall be sold by the authority at public sale by competitive bid or negotiated private sale and at such price as the board may determine to be in the best interest of the authority.

E. The issuance of bonds shall not be subject to any limitations, requirements, or conditions contained in any other law, and bonds may be issued without obtaining the consent of the state or any political subdivision, or of any agency, commission, or instrumentality thereof, except that the issuance of such bonds shall be subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission. The bonds shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

F. For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to issue bonds in the official journal of the authority authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, any person in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause, but after that time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of the resolution or of the bonds or the security therefor for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the resolution, the bonds or the security therefor within the thirty days herein prescribed, the authority to issue bonds and provide for the payment thereof, the legality thereof and of all of the provisions of the resolution, or other proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters. Any notice of intent so published shall set forth in reasonable detail the purpose of the bonds, the security therefor, and the parameters of amount, duration, and interest rates. The board may designate any paper of general circulation in its geographical jurisdiction to publish the notice of intent or may utilize electronic media available to the general public. Any suit to determine the validity of bonds issued by the authority shall be brought only in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 13:5121 et seq.

G. All bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the commercial laws of the state.

H. Any pledge of revenues or other monies made by the board on behalf of the authority shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. The revenues or monies so pledged and thereafter received by the authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the authority irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

I. Neither the members of the board nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally for the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

J. Bonds of the authority, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof and may or may not be exempt for federal income tax purposes. The bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be and are hereby declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians. Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all public funds of the state and any and all public funds of municipalities, parishes, school districts, or other political corporations or subdivisions of the state. Such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for such deposits to the extent of their value. When any bonds shall have been issued hereunder, neither the legislature, the board, nor any other commission may discontinue or decrease the revenues pledged to the payment of the bonds authorized hereunder or permit to be discontinued or decreased such revenues in anticipation of the collection of which such bonds have been issued, or in any way make any change in the allocation and dedication of the revenues which would diminish the amount of the revenues to be received by the authority, until all of such bonds shall have been retired as to principal and interest, and there is hereby vested in the holders from time to time of such bonds a contract right in the provisions of this Section.

K. The board may provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds pursuant to R.S. 39:1444 et seq.

L. The holders of any bonds issued hereunder shall have such rights and remedies as may be provided in the resolution or trust agreement authorizing the issuance of the bonds, including but not limited to appointment of a trustee for the bondholders and any other available civil action to compel compliance with the terms and provisions of the bonds and the resolution or trust agreement.

M. Subject to the agreements with the holders of bonds, all proceeds of bonds and all revenues pledged under a resolution or trust agreement authorizing or securing such bonds shall be deposited and held in trust in a fund or funds separate and apart from all other funds of the authority. Subject to the resolution or trust agreement, the trustee shall hold the same for the benefit of the holders of the bonds for the application and disposition thereof solely to the respective uses and purposes provided in such resolution or trust agreement.

N. The board, on behalf of the authority, is authorized to employ all professionals it deems necessary in the issuance of its bonds.

O. The authority shall be deemed to be a public entity for purposes of Chapters 13, 13-A, 14, 14-A, 14-B, and 15-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, which statutes shall apply to bonds of the authority, provided that in the event of a conflict with the provisions of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.

Acts 2007, No. 329, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2151 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2151
Short title
Status: in_force

This Chapter shall be known and may be referred to as the "Central Louisiana Regional Infrastructure Beltway Commission".

Acts 2009, No. 518, §1, eff. July 10, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2161 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2161
Bonds
Status: in_force

A. Without reference to any provision of the Constitution of Louisiana and the laws of Louisiana, and as a grant of power in addition to any other general or special law, the commission created pursuant to this Chapter may issue bonds for any commission purpose and pledge revenues for the payment of the principal and interest of such bonds. The commission is further authorized, in its discretion, to pledge all or any part of any gift, grant, donation, or other sum of money, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the terms thereof, all or any part of the proceeds of bonds, credit agreements, instruments, or any other money of the commission, from whatever source derived, for the further securing of the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds. Any such bonds shall be payable solely from revenues and bond proceeds, pending their disbursement, and investment income thereon.

B. Bonds issued under the provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the state or of any governmental unit thereof. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the full faith and credit of the state nor the full faith and credit of any public entity of the state are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Chapter shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state or any governmental unit of the state to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment, other than obligations to make payments by the state or any public entity to the commission arising out of contracts authorized under this Chapter.

C. Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the commission and shall be of such series, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, including but not limited to fixed, variable, or zero rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such registration and exchangeability privilege, be payable in such medium of payment and at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity at such price or prices as determined by the commission, and be entitled to such priority on the revenues as such resolution or resolutions may provide.

D. Bonds shall be sold by the commission at public sale by competitive bid or negotiated private sale and at such price as the commission may determine to be in the best interest of the authority.

E. The issuance of bonds shall not be subject to any limitations, requirements, or conditions contained in any other law, and bonds may be issued without obtaining the consent of the state or any political subdivision, or of any agency, commission, or instrumentality thereof, except that the issuance of such bonds shall be subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission. The bonds shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

F. For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to issue bonds in the official journal of the commission authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, any person in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause, but after that time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of the resolution or of the bonds or the security therefor for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the resolution, the bonds or the security therefor within the thirty days herein prescribed, the authority to issue bonds and provide for the payment thereof, the legality thereof and of all of the provisions of the resolution or other proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters. Any notice of intent so published shall set forth in reasonable detail the purpose of the bonds, the security therefor, and the parameters of amount, duration, and interest rates. The commission may designate any paper of general circulation in its geographical jurisdiction to publish the notice of intent or may utilize electronic media available to the general public. Any suit to determine the validity of bonds issued by the commission shall be brought only in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 13:5121 et seq.

G. All bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the commercial laws of the state.

H. Any pledge of revenues or other monies made by the commission shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. The revenues or monies so pledged and thereafter received by the commission shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the commission irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

I. Neither the members of the commission nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally for the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

J. Bonds of the commission, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof and may or may not be exempt for federal income tax purposes. The bonds issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be and are hereby declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians. Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all public funds of the state and any and all public funds of municipalities, parishes, school districts, or other political corporations or subdivisions of the state. Such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for said deposits to the extent of their value. When any bonds shall have been issued hereunder, neither the legislature, the commission, nor any other commission may discontinue or decrease the revenues pledged to the payment of the bonds authorized hereunder or permit to be discontinued or decreased said revenues in anticipation of the collection of which such bonds have been issued, or in any way make any change in the allocation and dedication of the revenues which would diminish the amount of the revenues to be received by the commission, until all of such bonds shall have been retired as to principal and interest, and there is hereby vested in the holders from time to time of such bonds a contract right in the provisions of this Section.

K. The commission may provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds pursuant to R.S. 39:1444 et seq.

L. The holders of any bonds issued hereunder shall have such rights and remedies as may be provided in the resolution or trust agreement authorizing the issuance of the bonds, including but not by way of limitation, appointment of a trustee for the bondholders and any other available civil action to compel compliance with the terms and provisions of the bonds and the resolution or trust agreement.

M. Subject to the agreements with the holders of bonds, all proceeds of bonds and all revenues pledged under a resolution or trust agreement authorizing or securing such bonds shall be deposited and held in trust in a fund or funds separate and apart from all other funds of the commission. Subject to the resolution or trust agreement, the trustee shall hold the same for the benefit of the holders of the bonds for the application and disposition thereof solely to the respective uses and purposes provided in such resolution or trust agreement.

N. The commission created hereunder is authorized to employ all professionals it deems necessary in the issuance of its bonds.

O. The commission created hereunder shall be deemed to be a public entity for purposes of Chapters 13, 13-A, 14, 14-A, 14-B, and 15-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, which statutes shall apply to bonds of the commission, provided that in the event of a conflict with the provisions of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.

Acts 2009, No. 518, §1, eff. July 10, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 48:2195 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 48 / Section 2195
Fare transparency
Status: in_force

If a fare is collected from a rider, the company shall disclose to the rider the fare or fare calculation method located on its website or within the online-enabled technology application service prior to the start of the prearranged ride. If the fare is not disclosed to the rider prior to the beginning of the prearranged ride, the rider shall have the option to receive an estimated fare before the start of the prearranged ride.

Acts 2019, No. 286, §2, eff. July 1, 2019.