RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 474 (HB 544) 2024 Regular Session Boyd
Existing law requires the board of commissioners of the authority be composed of three
members from each participating parish appointed by the chief executive officer of that
parish, subject to the approval of its governing authority.
Existing law specifies that each member appointed by the chief executive officer of a parish
must be domiciled within that parish.
New law requires that one member be appointed from House District 102 by the state
representative representing the district beginning on Sept. 1, 2024, and specifies that the
appointment rotates every four years between the members appointed from the house district
and a member appointed from Senate District 7 by the state senator representing the district.
New law adds additional qualifications applicable to existing law for the board of
commissioners and members. Specifies that each member appointed must possess minimum
transit expertise standards, the required training, and have previous union experience.
Further specifies that the transit minimum standards be established by Jan. 1, 2025, and will
apply to all newly appointed commissioners. Grants the City Council of N.O. authority to
recall and confirm members of the board.
Existing law grants authority to make and execute all contracts and other instruments
necessary or convenient, including the power to contract for managerial and operating
services.
New law makes authority in existing law contingent on management and labor attempting
to resolve all contracts bilaterally before involving a mediator.
New law specifies that quarterly reporting of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) funds is
required, and establishes penalties for when the RTA breaks city and state laws.
New law provides the power to establish and address situations where the RTA violates state
and city laws and establish penalties.
New law gives the authority the power to probe waste, bid rigging, abuse of employees, and
labor law violations.
New law creates the Regional Transit Authority Advisory board and provides for its purpose,
composition, and powers.
New law specifies that an advisory board is created to assist and advise the RTA and make
recommendations to make informed decisions regarding the functions outlined in new law.
New law specifies that the advisory board does not have the power to vote on any matters
decided on by the board of commissioners. Requires the advisory board is to meet quarterly
with the board of commissioners.
New law requires the advisory board be composed of 12 persons as follows:
(1) An employee of the Regional Transit Authority appointed by the chief executive
officer.
(2) A member of the Amalgamated Transit Union appointed by the president and
business agent.
(3) A member from the Downtown Development District appointed by the executive
director.
(4) The president of each of the following universities: Loyola University, Tulane
University, Xavier University, Dillard University, Southern University at New
Orleans, and the University of Holy Cross.
(5) Two members appointed by the President of the La.American Federation of Labor
and Congress of La. Industrial Organizations.
New law requires all appointed members of the board receive at least 2 hours of
transit-specific training in the duties, responsibilities, ethics and substance of the positions
held and 2 hours of training on labor and union relations best practices, either before taking
office or no later than 1 year after the office is assumed. Specifies that all training must be
formally approved by the board and ratified by each participating parish or city legislative
body.
New law specifies that any city or parish with appointments and representation on the RTA
board of commissioners has the authority to audit the RTA or hire a third party to perform
the audit. All records and information requested in the audit must be provided in an
expedited manner by the RTA. A city or parish council may levy fines on the RTA.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 48:1655(A)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (2) and 1658(8) and (23); Adds
R.S. 48:1656(24)-(26) and 1656.1)


Statutes affected:
HB544 Original: 48:1655(A)(1), 48:1656(8)
HB544 Engrossed: 48:1655(A)(1), 48:1656(8)
HB544 Reengrossed: 48:1655(A)(1), 48:1656(8)
HB544 Enrolled: 48:1655(A)(1), 48:1656(8)
HB544 Act : 48:1655(A)(1), 48:1656(8)