The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on April 30 heard testimony on Senate Bill 89, a measure by Sen. Buie that would require the members of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans to be confirmed by the state Senate. Committee members voted to report the bill favorably.

Sen. Buie described SB 89 as a cleanup measure to place the Port of New Orleans on parity with the other deep‑water ports in Louisiana, explaining that several other ports already require Senate confirmation. “All it simply does is to provide for the members of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans the same senate confirmation process that all of the other deep water ports in the state has,” Buie said.

Committee members voiced support for increased legislative oversight of an entity many described as a statewide economic engine. Sen. Miller moved to report the bill favorably; the motion carried without extended debate.

A green card in support was filed by a representative of Louisiana Citizen Advocacy, though the witness was not present to speak. The bill was reported favorably and will proceed through the legislative process.

Ending: The committee approved a favorable report for SB 89 after brief discussion noting parity with other ports and the port’s statewide economic significance.