[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,99],{"_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",6222480,"mediaKeyId","3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d","parentId",3593274,"title","Committee advances bill to mark noncitizen status on IDs and add notice; supporters say it prevents inadvertent illegal voter registration","audioSeconds",1332,"startMs",8637000,"endMs",9969000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d&start=8637&end=9969","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d/thumbnail_8637000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6222480/Louisiana/Committee-advances-bill-to-mark-noncitizen-status-on-IDs-and-add-notice-supporters-say-it-prevents-inadvertent-illegal-voter-registration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222480-68446fbd0a8530863d8cdf807ab3019e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448103&Signature=SacOX230vD~hgHjWFH5H2Bud0xnUGoxIRz4INt7ACoYJL1f7JkNRwHCOmxDXhUDPfEi61huXyDGlkM2wWkcQCbti13Jj1Y1FGlSxRxdNP19xJ-ZCjeNN-CznJ79R-aIYPIE3UkF-WKmun9VTk6MXYV60Iv09Xz2Y526kZP~cJhCKgAPSJFoLKSPurD-OTRMejUx2VZ9BNDTv7k9duC5pryO2iKEl3e-UQXHvWwiY7RT6dzHUeJznRK0UPKIfBJ89L-CWIVdtqwFyAYVrdVJCEFoKeFCZSFbNnPnEaZ4TnqKeii41IhCPaZu9ruQqVBLBBDOiFqwVyykRCnGFWM8rYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Transportation Committee on May 29 reported House Bill 554 favorably after debate about whether state-issued identification should include a restriction code or notice identifying non-U.S. citizens. Sponsors said the change would prevent people who are lawfully present but not citizens from inadvertently registering to vote or being misinformed about voting eligibility.

Representative McMahon (bill sponsor) and the attorney general described the bill as an informational and compliance measure. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and first assistant Catherine Newsom described the Office of Motor Vehicles and voter-registration interfaces: OMV is a required voter-registration site under federal law, and staff often provide voter-registration forms to applicants. The secretary’s office said prior audits and data matches identified a small number of noncitizens on the voter rolls and that better notice and data sharing can reduce inadvertent errors.

Opponents and some senators pressed for clarity on enforcement and the mechanics of registration verification. Committee members questioned whether forms already include citizenship questions and how local registrars vet submitted registrations. The secretary’s office said registrars use system verification steps and that adding a visible notice and an identifier on an ID would supplement existing processes.

A motion to report the bill favorably passed in committee after a roll-call; the committee record shows a reported favorable outcome. The bill proceeds to additional Senate consideration.

Ending: Sponsors argued the measure is a straightforward consumer-protection and compliance step; critics sought stronger data on how many inadvertent registrations occur and how the change would interact with existing voter-roll verification practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate committee reported House Bill 554 favorably after testimony from the attorney general and the secretary of state; the bill would place a notice and a restricted-code indicator on identification cards issued to persons who are not U.S. citizens, to reduce inadvertent voter-registration errors.","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},6222489,"Senate committee advances bill to enable Port of New Orleans to build Saint Bernard transportation corridor; opponents warn of local harm",3756,1265000,5021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d&start=1265&end=5021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d/thumbnail_1265000.jpg","/articles/6222489/Louisiana/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-enable-Port-of-New-Orleans-to-build-Saint-Bernard-transportation-corridor-opponents-warn-of-local-harm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222489-50dc1cfece66b728fd5c245e2c083526/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448103&Signature=IXeASz~FJW6QGZueGlt6R9gcZ9gX~ddxyyICiWe0dVL4MxivYxxTgyM3tdnom3h3Pfbxuz22d3OY7x86qXRy93LjXhfIUtW2kjPqE9q3Jp42hsBMOXFkQe9WmDnyX-~2jqhRENDAHA~GVVIOufpkfffrUIb223m5saFEDzDpim3U9pcVqttKWIGOfzjLwTigiYts3HrwRrAmxBQend3va6WpnWEe4WSfQ27v3Zfo6AzH5L5mhH3a3ekDFU~N3Pyosug7gn-fzlerbuBLfqiJucXllHsAdSMV1DZ0WkZTijw2rTIqX9OVGaMbDJt5LjuK--CTPdyZk2g-TwSR~Wk6jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works on May 29 voted to report House Bill 687 favorably, a bill that would create a streamlined process for the Port of New Orleans to procure, construct, operate and maintain a public–private Saint Bernard Transportation Corridor serving the proposed Louisiana International Terminal (LIT).

Supporters said the corridor is essential to the terminal and to statewide trade. Jean Paul Escojay, executive counsel for the Port of New Orleans, told the committee the project “represents a transformational investment in Louisiana's trade-based economy.” Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO, Inc., said the road is the “linchpin” for the larger terminal project, noting it would keep trucks off local streets and increase evacuation capacity.

Opponents — including Saint Bernard Parish officials, school board members, the parish district attorney and local residents — pressed the committee on environmental, education and local-government concerns. Carly Creason, a Saint Bernard Parish School Board member, said the plan \"would be on top of Willie Smith Elementary\" and argued the project \"does not belong in our community.\" District Attorney Perry Nicosia recounted the parish's longstanding statutory port jurisdiction and said the presence of a school and other impacts had not been adequately addressed.

Committee members and state officials emphasized the bill sets process, not final approvals. Christopher Kane, outside counsel for the Port of New Orleans, noted the measure would not expand port powers over acquisition beyond existing law; DOTD secretary Joseph Donahue and the bill's author said federal permitting — including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review — remains required before construction.

Funding and scope: port and project backers described a multi-billion-dollar funding package. Port representatives said federal grant commitments total about $300 million (a $226 million INFRA award plus other federal contributions), private investment about $800 million, and the Port of New Orleans and state capital-outlay commitments together rise into the hundreds of millions more; Port counsel said roughly $1.8 billion in commitments had been discussed. Port and business witnesses told the committee the terminal could generate thousands of jobs and substantial tax revenue by mid-century.

Public process, litigation and next steps: multiple speakers noted two pending lawsuits involving parish government and the project. Supporters said the Corps-led permitting process offers public hearings and environmental review; opponents said litigation and local opposition remain active. The committee recorded a motion to report the bill favorably; committee action does not alter pending federal or local litigation or permit processes.

Votes at committee: A motion to report House Bill 687 favorably passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded no roll-call tally in committee minutes and the committee chair announced the bill would be reported favorably.

Proponents and opponents who testified included port officials, economic development and business leaders, local elected officials, and school and parish representatives; the record shows numerous public-comments and a large in-person turnout at a Corps hearing earlier in the week. The bill now moves toward the full Senate calendar where further review and fiscal/implementation questions may be considered.

Ending: Committee passage advances statutory authorization for an expedited procurement path for a Saint Bernard corridor tied to LIT, but the project's timeline and ultimate siting remain subject to federal permitting, pending lawsuits and future state deliberations.","The Senate Committee on Transportation on May 29 voted to report House Bill 687 favorably, clearing a measure that would enable the Port of New Orleans to build, operate and maintain a Saint Bernard transportation corridor to serve the proposed Louisiana International Terminal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6222478,"Votes at a glance: Key committee actions, May 29 Senate Transportation Committee",4943,78000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d&start=78&end=5021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d/thumbnail_78000.jpg","/articles/6222478/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-committee-actions-May-29-Senate-Transportation-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222478-0c349b5bf1b8596723678e25af40d64d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448103&Signature=DAOLCAVVKweynINTX62vQdiMqKL7eLiAcrIc0VrYWqWQAYmM-30VVVTfV4OYoQT5f~SaayaNmCeE0rQFxpfLm~3JgS~uUyBO6DoTijQpQh-I7hxB93zUwcomA88H~qzjZV-whnarjvWavOQrvYCe1PML12JQGg5VMZ45Q6FVX6nIQ2PShq7nkdOUD2iMTbVneWhvY0xhBzTaJ~KF2NMqjJ5syuFdr7~UioDKu6vSwjNlboI4YCV7~Hw1kSjK3IJw2DeWpmbRohqrcxx2TylTc3YnY3Ev3cs5bnaSoAsgzr-p579qNQ2P6WCNPrLpBGTWrXcDvZ-k4agW0DfEPpQ-Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works on May 29 considered and disposed of a number of bills and resolutions. Most items were resolved by voice vote or unanimous consent and advanced to the Senate calendar. This roundup summarizes each item the committee handled that was not covered in-depth in other stories from the same hearing.

Items reported or moved by the committee (selected):

- Senate Resolution 89 — Request to the Department of Transportation to partner with the University of New Orleans Transportation Institute to study South Claiborne Avenue improvements (New Orleans). Committee adopted an amendment clarifying partnership language and reported the resolution with amendments. Motion to report by Senator Price; no objection.

- House Bill 676 — Abandoned watercraft and vessel removal procedures: the measure updates notice, removal deadlines (30 days) and allows third-party salvage under a clarified process; committee reported the bill favorably without recorded objection.

- House Bill 94 — Abolish West Feliciana Parish Port Commission (local bill): sponsor reported the commission requested dissolution; committee reported favorably without objection.

- House Bill 580 — Fictitious/temporary license plate reform (print-on-demand temporary tags): committee adopted technical amendments and reported favorably.

- House Bill 588 — Technical corrections to earlier RTA/transit accountability legislation (follow-up to HB 544): committee reported favorably.

- House Bill 519 — Hands-free driving and distracted-driving restrictions (secondary enforcement with specified school/work-zone provisions): committee reported the bill favorably. The bill includes a warning period through Dec. 2025 and then primary enforcement in school and work zones beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

- House Bill 474 — Adds coroners’ vehicles to the list of authorized emergency vehicles (allows specified emergency privileges for coroner vehicles under defined circumstances): committee reported favorably; committee asked for follow-up material about training and liability for coroner offices.

- House Bill 499 — Increases penalties for speeding or violating work-zone protections that endanger utility and construction crews: committee reported favorably.

- House Bill 505 — Clarifies FAA-certified mechanics’ ability to perform on-site inspections at small airports to facilitate owner-performed maintenance; committee reported favorably.

- House Bill 504 — Increases the annual liquid-propane tag fee to support implementation of updated licensing and on-line permitting systems administered by the state LPG commission; committee accepted sponsor’s rationale and reported favorably.

- House Bill 679 — Experimental fee reduction to encourage upgrades to federally compliant REAL ID credentials: committee reported the bill favorably; fiscal note questions will be pursued as the bill proceeds.

- House Bill 680 — Fee reduction for name changes on licenses: the committee deferred this measure for additional review.

Committee business notes: Several bills prompted stakeholder testimony but were advanced by consensus or voice vote after sponsors offered technical amendments. The committee record shows motions to report multiple bills favorably without objection; where roll-call votes occurred the minutes record the tallies.

Ending: The committee’s actions send a mix of technical fixes, road-safety measures and high-profile infrastructure bills to the Senate calendar; several items will face additional fiscal and implementation review on the floor.","On May 29 the Senate Transportation Committee recorded a series of procedural reports and bipartisan committee approvals on a range of transportation and related bills. Most measures were reported favorably; one bill was deferred. This roundup lists each item, author, and committee outcome.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6222484,"Committee keeps public works bid threshold at $250,000; performance-bond requirement raised amid contractor and surety debate",568,516000,1084000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d&start=516&end=1084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3593274-fd5381ac2da74388292d57281d4ebf7d/thumbnail_516000.jpg","/articles/6222484/Louisiana/Committee-keeps-public-works-bid-threshold-at-250000-performance-bond-requirement-raised-amid-contractor-and-surety-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222484-aacec48d33a3dc042c89f7a42c179470/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448103&Signature=V2K46GLoIEuFp9FX9pQKRxBzMRg0RgUAUsy6PbBVJ4FKS5WS0Oo17ev7ew3pvrCQUW~NksuRwe5EKQCvwsKauC-f7Rxr49~~7hSRW73jU-I2oe5-fompfYa2-8VRqDcw5cXc72-GkvuCHlLmwXDtUu8c8YoEejLK8tdv3YfE2V0mlcj9zpSkX9DXDTCJL2KkmtUUCoikJgLV23QXEqqGCapZd-fe9O51gkCK~fUY6Kk0YPvbCk3Z4INInOlotXZ4avjH55gAXrKoMmid4j7zMSRuvdzawAe~WUGO5ca0YcbHVOohlbU77TfN3IfimbwO5p2MvK3luJRrq4YzJzk5rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee on May 29 adopted amendments and reported House Bill 209 favorably after discussion about contract thresholds and performance bonds for public-works projects.

Representative Brass presented the bill and an amendment negotiated with Ascension Parish; Ruth Phillips, chief administrative officer for Ascension Parish Government, told the committee the amendment keeps the public-works bid threshold at $250,000 but raises the performance-bond requirement in some circumstances to $250,000 instead of the existing $25,000. Phillips said Ascension Parish had identified $853,564.76 in potential recovery that it had not pursued under the lower bond regime and that higher bond requirements could be used as a match to expand projects.

Industry stakeholders testified. Carson Deller of Associated Builders and Contractors and Relda Newans of the Louisiana Associated General Contractors withdrew opposition after the amendment and said it addressed their main concerns. A representative of the surety-bonding industry urged the committee to preserve bond protections, citing a high loss ratio for Louisiana in 2024; he argued bonds protect taxpayers and suppliers when contractors default.

The committee adopted amendment set 17-20, then recorded a motion to report House Bill 209 with those amendments; the clerk announced the bill would be reported favorably without objection.

Ending: Committee action moves the negotiated compromise — bid threshold unchanged, higher performance-bond authority — to the Senate calendar. The committee record shows stakeholder negotiation and withdrawals of opposition after the amendment was adopted.","The committee reported House Bill 209 with amendments that preserve the public-works bidding threshold at $250,000 but increase the performance-bond level to $250,000 (from $25,000). Supporters said the change helps local governments; surety industry representatives defended bonds as taxpayer protection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to mark noncitizen status on IDs and add notice; supporters say it prevents inadvertent illegal voter registration

Senate committee advances bill to enable Port of New Orleans to build Saint Bernard transportation corridor; opponents warn of local harm

Votes at a glance: Key committee actions, May 29 Senate Transportation Committee

Committee keeps public works bid threshold at $250,000; performance-bond requirement raised amid contractor and surety debate