[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6073211,"mediaKeyId","2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2","parentId",2995131,"title","Senate committee clears three local bills to raise bond limits for northeast Louisiana ports","audioSeconds",743,"startMs",101000,"endMs",844000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2&start=101&end=844","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2/thumbnail_101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073211/Louisiana/Senate-committee-clears-three-local-bills-to-raise-bond-limits-for-northeast-Louisiana-ports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073211-6c6b76f946bf4bdf4ced5955939583cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048408&Signature=Xs~dlTdBlUN6QmByN0w4KJSbeedGZuxCs4SraASSSFlfGrSsWtXQe6vxGzdPICzRuY-s76~tMnpXxw0U2PZhOTTJIdZzVgme0FfUfQ6xSWGun9m8GudMgYX87ey7R00X1JNaIgKyi2qVrbs54mPWxNdh~GM~gVcmbl5gN4MZaBoa7bnaDNlK02O8HXd1NEwXeCx5nnr-IuYrvh85kBUnWNZ~3UZEIM080q0GhTHnPtrqPr2~21~g0q~acWetIZkjOi-0yg~COkX1FUWZGhb5n5QDsfslGbVxDfFBvS2623hEC-eNPKax~ZMht-I0fGaXkm401dueW36YbpXTHmbRrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","Senators on the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs on April 15 reported favorable three local bills that would raise or remove statutory limits on outstanding negotiable bonds for small Mississippi River ports in northeast Louisiana, and in one case allow a port to buy property outside its district.

Proponents — including port managers and sponsoring senators — told the committee the bills would give ports more capacity to accelerate projects prioritized for reimbursement by the Joint Transportation Committee and to keep agricultural product moving when river levels drop.

The bills presented were Senate Bill 144, offered by Chairman Womack, which would remove a present-law prohibition capping outstanding negotiable bonds or notes at $15,000,000; Senate Bill 147, by Senator Jackson Andrews, to increase bonding capacity for the Tensas (Tensaw) Parish Port so it can start multiple projects; and Senate Bill 146, also by Jackson Andrews, to lift limits for Lake Providence Port and to allow the port to purchase property outside the port district.

Bryant Killen, Executive Director of the Lake Providence Port Commission (also managing other nearby ports through cooperative endeavor agreements), told the committee the ports are agricultural ports that handle grain and other farm products and that some ports have industrial tenants. Killen said low river levels in recent years have caused ports to effectively shut down during harvest and that increased bonding authority could accelerate projects and create alternative transport options, including rail projects under consideration across several parishes.

Committee members asked about the kinds of cargo handled, how the ports are organized, and whether consolidating management would be stronger. Killen and Senator Jackson Andrews described existing cooperative management and a Northeast Louisiana Multimodal District that brings the parishes together while allowing local oversight. Senator Koenig pressed whether consolidation would improve the ports; proponents said the ports already coordinate management while preserving local control.

On procedure, Senator Luna moved favorably on SB 144; Senator Jenkins moved favorable reports for SB 147 and SB 146. The committee announced each bill \"reported favorable\" with no recorded roll-call vote in the transcript.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the bills would help ports move agricultural product and support industrial tenants, reduce delays caused by low river stages and allow the ports to accelerate prioritized infrastructure projects.

Votes at a glance

- SB 144 (remove $15,000,000 cap on outstanding negotiable bonds/notes): motion moved by Senator Luna; outcome: reported favorable (committee report).
- SB 147 (Tensas Parish Port: increase bond capacity to accelerate projects): motion moved by Senator Jenkins; outcome: reported favorable (committee report).
- SB 146 (Lake Providence Port: increase bond capacity; authorization to buy property outside port district): motion moved by Senator Jenkins; outcome: reported favorable (committee report).

The committee took no additional formal actions on the bills beyond reporting them favorable. Public comment/forms in the record included informational cards from port association representatives and local port managers; no local opposition was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Revenue & Fiscal Apr 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators on the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs on April 15 reported favorable three local bills that would raise or remove statutory limits on outstanding negotiable bonds for small Mississippi River ports in northeast Louisiana, and in one case allow a port to buy property outside its district.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073193,"Committee approves $20.70 convenience fee for Mobile DMV LLC (LA Wallet) online transactions",680,2193000,2873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2&start=2193&end=2873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2/thumbnail_2193000.jpg","/articles/6073193/Louisiana/Committee-approves-2070-convenience-fee-for-Mobile-DMV-LLC-LA-Wallet-online-transactions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073193-27500d141d76f31314b83502987e55a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048408&Signature=mrgedJn0kqmG6sCzWlntZpgx~qfojb64ZiYF1BkEjqNKEaQYIteyYd1SPER2g6lpklMA7opTqv7xGCvbsx~DT1cFAwDVJQXVvqVfg3PGkHorgfJjlSSAy~UXc9aiR9KQ9UMJTYORxQgTss0Sjthh-ufyH85eOVVbtwENNPtoyclKyAWbFwLorlq0yfn3xJrYRaf1NkgEPYOmpielo0UD4ZB8C7VeKqhtLbZu9DMvqCFlz520xa2s36DRl1FOijT9YDZWJdF6JxYFqtH9GqXtrBjdffs0q5VOI8rTU7qZc6I-UVP3I31d-KOa2y-zlz2C~hMPNkMllRziNlKsBwah6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs on April 15 approved a convenience fee for Mobile DMV LLC as a digital transaction provider for LA Wallet, the state's digital credential application. The fee to be charged for online transactions (for services such as driver's license renewals or duplicates through the app) was described in testimony as $20.70, which the department said is 90% of the public tag agent convenience fee and represents a reduction compared with the storefront agent fee of $23.

Lauren Debataz and Jill Gyro of the Office of Motor Vehicles described Mobile DMV LLC as a private contractor that provides LA Wallet maintenance and online transaction services for the state. Committee members asked whether the app is the only place the fee applies (the witnesses said yes, the digital provider has no storefront), who receives the convenience-fee proceeds (the private vendor retains the convenience fee; the state still receives the underlying license/registration fees), and whether the public is required to use the service (witnesses said the service is optional and citizens can still transact in person or through other online state channels).

Senators accepted the department's explanation that the $20.70 rate follows the statutory cap (90% of public tag agent convenience fee) and approved the fee by unanimous consent in committee. Members asked staff to provide usage numbers for LA Wallet in follow-up; witnesses offered to provide download/usage statistics.","The committee approved a Department of Public Safety & Corrections/Office of Motor Vehicles request to authorize Mobile DMV LLC's digital-transaction convenience fee (90% of public tag agent fee) for LA Wallet services. OMV and LA Wallet staff told senators the online fee is lower than the storefront fee and optional for citizens.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073196,"Committee moves bill to equalize ABLE-account income-tax deduction with 529s",108,2019000,2127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2&start=2019&end=2127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2/thumbnail_2019000.jpg","/articles/6073196/Louisiana/Committee-moves-bill-to-equalize-ABLE-account-income-tax-deduction-with-529s","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073196-05c8aa07f56a8da6a5724d40444f7cc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048408&Signature=RVeBNrr4Rxmx7Zs9OnlLhbwexYzBJTFeSz6O~GinDPx-U6eZxiSsMOZ-DU8cndfP6KBnLwb2TQQurtJMYoh-u2~zQCC3ncnZ4Y8pwRBh5SqnCWJJACOyGRihRydXVmb1Hpn-zBsUWbh34yzINNsrR62M6l~ummmmR0V-yB8HPRsyTcM1aDZp7WKT-CspZmXPE1o0ZJoP5Tzp3bGQH~XxaSHxKDy8Z3QO331gjkSg-Naa9-OYpscaaEjKmluwHNaIBy9qrAM2nAfIqr1H9ueqbm8mLrfegHM7tdsW9M4CT58du4J6aCLiIit-wx5Ur~Ni-v5yRdum~ZA5q0cz7BqQ2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 118, presented by Chairman Fall and considered April 15, was moved favorable by the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. The bill would add an income-tax deduction for contributions to ABLE accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience) at the same level currently available for 529 college-savings accounts.

Chairman Fall said ABLE accounts are intended for families saving for the lifetime needs of people with disabilities and that providing the same modest state income-tax deduction as 529 accounts (cited in testimony as $2,400 per individual and $4,800 for married couples at the federal/state program levels) is a fairness issue. He told the committee the expected fiscal impact was \"de minimis,\" under $100,000 in lost revenue according to the fiscal note he cited.

No public opposition or questions were recorded in the transcript; the senator moved the bill favorable and the committee accepted the motion by voice.","Senate Bill 118, which would add an income-tax deduction for contributions to ABLE accounts at the same level as 529 college-savings deductions, was moved favorable by the committee. Sponsor said the change is a fairness issue with low estimated fiscal cost.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073201,"Committee adopts department-requested cleanup to inventory tax-credit law",321,1655000,1976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2&start=1655&end=1976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2/thumbnail_1655000.jpg","/articles/6073201/Louisiana/Committee-adopts-department-requested-cleanup-to-inventory-tax-credit-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073201-5631a6c9cada8dbc8927da71850c373f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048408&Signature=l4ZgkEXc0TE-pJx8IUQFzl~-BQxU6TimNFIMN9Nu9N9gs-fglXVp-5d5APA10HgTgAmkFUp~N~V~A-o8tPyroW7zP6Q-ee~VVW4Ca1glaxjz9hhzuSvKOwx30zlWWhJG6suUZhEM5vT-7qBuTcv-EALUPfXrzAaXlAXCioeb1KHc4TXP4k3tr0r9IrHOEa~eEUkrUMb47sEFysY5XU0~fHvtl6YDhoepoP7tAzrF~TKTK1iYH-v~KWzMmj9F26SRfikHWTk4Jd5zxxgGtcNdSJ26rpmYP3Q9xdxXbcxS33gJ~gQhYOk2AfFarnIGr~J7JSa6VERmNB2g0NTqEP~l0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs on April 15 adopted an amendment and reported Senate Bill 65, a department-requested cleanup bill clarifying eligibility for the inventory tax credit after statutory changes made during the special session.

Luke Morris, representing the Department of Revenue, told the committee the special session had removed the franchise tax and made changes to the inventory tax credit effective July 1, 2026. The department sought clarifying language so that the statute clearly limits the credit for taxpayers taxed as C corporations, estates and trusts for property taxes paid on or after that July 1 date. The department also asked for exceptions to preserve the credit's flow-through treatment for agricultural cooperatives and S corporations that pass taxable income and credits to members or shareholders.

The committee considered and adopted amendment 480, which clarified dates and added exceptions for co-ops and flow-through entities. Senator Luna asked for statutory citations; Morris identified the relevant sections for estates/trusts and S corporations in the transcript. The committee then reported SB 65 as amended.

Why it matters: The amendment narrows and clarifies who may claim the inventory tax credit after a larger tax-code change; the transcript contains no committee roll-call vote but records the amendment adoption and the committee report.","Senate Bill 65, described by the Department of Revenue as a cleanup measure to clarify which taxpayers may claim the inventory tax credit after recent tax changes, was amended and reported favorable. The amendment clarified treatment for C corporations, cooperatives, S corporations, estates and trusts and adjusted date references.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073206,"Committee advances bill continuing bonded capital outlay program for community and technical colleges",762,870000,1632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2&start=870&end=1632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995131-31268b4fd40d52fc18e6d1e0834382d2/thumbnail_870000.jpg","/articles/6073206/Louisiana/Committee-advances-bill-continuing-bonded-capital-outlay-program-for-community-and-technical-colleges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073206-39be9f8294ddb299289ab8b0952b891d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048408&Signature=Y5Ht-lPteTEOB6ydS~o3Q5MGjkmX2sZ9SRDYH3Dh3GxvhBl~Wfn2s896-JNwryyOT16gGuH9G~oV3c8zdjcR4T~EFSSqCKig1~RZ7eDP5~wAhNXtrHEybmb0QQLvmRaZBKVSe1SWTAh-i3cIR6ilXmWZaHah5jNy3zGrX01k08VFBFGB0Lo9fo5VQIAGAkFrAT5jexQ8WkQBRdUMgIjjQs6Yy3a9QHVitSaqLfZZxGP-5SRWLoPYgFJaubKK3mhPJRFkL-4cPeoduxoP6LDQginW6gHk0zlgnaHSZzILr9sLmDyf5yGF1mX8ID3YTCHgnulEyLhogwm3M9GQBCZp6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs on April 15 reported Senate Bill 72 as amended, a bill to continue a bonded capital-outlay financing program for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS).

Senator Reese explained the bill as a continuation of prior capital-outlay initiatives (referencing Act 391 of 2007 and Act 360 of 2013). He said those earlier acts funded dozens of facility projects statewide and that SB 72 would allow the system to continue issuing bonds at an annual debt-service level not to exceed $43,900,000 to support new facilities and renovations across multiple campuses.

Senator Reese also offered an amendment set (amendment set 455, adopted by unanimous consent) that changed the bill's effective date to July 1, 2025 (a technical fiscal staff recommendation) and broadened the types of match the system may use. Committee members discussed that the amendment would permit the fair-market value of donated or shared property (including property controlled by hospital districts or other state institutions) to count toward the local match requirement for projects.

Amani (Dr.) Sullivan, president of the Community and Technical College System, told the committee the program has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in facilities since 1998 and that continuing the program would help modernize training labs and expand enrollment, particularly in rural areas. Senators who spoke praised the program as a workforce-development engine and supported the amendment.

Senator Jenkins moved that SB 72 be reported favorable as amended; the committee recorded the bill as \"reported as amended.\"","The committee reported SB 72 as amended, allowing the Community and Technical College System to continue issuing bonds up to an established annual debt service level and expand eligible match definitions to include fair-market value of donated property. Sponsors said the program modernizes workforce training facilities across the state.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee clears three local bills to raise bond limits for northeast Louisiana ports

Committee approves $20.70 convenience fee for Mobile DMV LLC (LA Wallet) online transactions

Committee moves bill to equalize ABLE-account income-tax deduction with 529s

Committee adopts department-requested cleanup to inventory tax-credit law

Committee advances bill continuing bonded capital outlay program for community and technical colleges