The bill amends existing law to enhance the functions of the Office of Multimodal Commerce within the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development by explicitly including "vertiports" in its planning and programming responsibilities. This addition reflects a growing focus on integrating aviation infrastructure into the state's transportation strategy, which encompasses various modes of transport such as commercial trucking, public mass transit, and railroads.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Louisiana Vertiport Development Fund, a special fund created within the state treasury to support the development of vertiports across Louisiana. The fund will consist of appropriated monies, grants, gifts, and donations, and will be managed by the Department of Transportation and Development. The department is tasked with creating regulations for the allocation of these funds, ensuring that they are used exclusively for the statewide development of vertiports.

Statutes affected:
SB215 Original: 36:3(A)(1)
SB215 Engrossed: 36:3(A)(1)
SB215 Enrolled: 36:3(A)(1)
SB215 Act 316: 36:3(A)(1)