House Bill No. by Representative Thompson proposes amendments to the existing law regarding contract limitations for public works projects managed by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The bill establishes a "contract limit" of one million dollars per project, which includes labor, materials, and equipment costs, as well as administrative overhead not exceeding fifteen percent. Additionally, starting February 1, 2026, this contract limit will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, with the new limits published in the Louisiana Register each January. The provisions of this bill will remain effective until December 31, 2029.

Furthermore, the bill removes the previous requirement that a public entity must post notice of a public emergency within ten days. It also stipulates that contracts for projects with an estimated cost below the contract limit but exceeding fifty thousand dollars must be publicly bid by the department. These changes aim to streamline the process for public works projects and provide flexibility in emergency situations.

Statutes affected:
HB297 Original: 38:2212(P)(1)