House Bill No. 209, introduced by Representative Brass, aims to modify the financing structure for public works projects in Ascension Parish. The bill enacts new provisions under R.S. 38:2212(C)(5) and 2241(A)(3), which establish a "contract limit" of $500,000 per project, inclusive of labor, materials, and equipment, with administrative overhead capped at 15%. This limit will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index starting February 1, 2026, and the updated limits will be published in the Louisiana Register each January.

Additionally, the bill mandates that for contracts exceeding $500,000, the public entity must require a bond from the contractor amounting to at least 50% of the contract price. This bond must be a statutory bond, ensuring that any modifications to the contract do not alter the bond's obligations. The bond must be executed by the contractor and recorded with the local recorder of mortgages within 30 days of the project's commencement. The amendments adopted by the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works changed the bond requirement threshold from $50,000 to $500,000.