House Bill No. 648 proposes comprehensive reforms to the organizational structure of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). The bill introduces new offices, specifically the Office of Transformation and the Office of Project Delivery, while eliminating the Office of Planning and the office of engineering. It also modifies the powers and duties of department officers, shifting the appointing authority for certain positions to the governor and requiring the Office of Transformation to operate under the supervision of the Office of Project Delivery. The secretary of transportation is granted the authority to eliminate unnecessary positions and collaborate with other state agencies to enhance transportation infrastructure.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the operating budget of the DOTD must clearly itemize costs associated with past and present employees, separating these from other budget items, and prohibits the use of specific funds for financing employee-related costs after July 1, 2026. The legislation emphasizes the need for skilled professionals in project delivery and contract management, while promoting the privatization of services. It also outlines the responsibilities of the newly created offices, including the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the modernization of project development processes. The provisions related to the Office of Transformation are set to expire on January 1, 2026, unless reauthorized by the legislature, reflecting a significant shift towards a more efficient and accountable DOTD.

Statutes affected:
HB528 Original: 36:501(B), 36:502(A), 36:504(A)(2), 36:506(A), 36:508(A), 36:2(A), 36:3(A)(2)
HB528 Reengrossed: 36:501(C)(1), 36:502(A), 36:508(A), 36:2(A), 36:3(A)(2)
HB528 Re-Reengrossed: 36:501(C)(1), 36:502(A), 36:508(A), 36:2(A), 36:3(A)(2)