Senate Resolution No. by Senator Barrow directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to conduct a comprehensive study on road hazards present on state highways and their effects on residents. The resolution highlights the responsibility of DOTD in maintaining over 16,000 miles of state-owned roadways and emphasizes the public safety risks, financial burdens, and vehicular damage caused by issues such as potholes and deteriorating infrastructure. It calls for transparency in data related to damage claims, repair response times, and the financial impact on citizens, particularly those in lower-income and rural communities.

The resolution also encourages the DOTD to evaluate best practices from other states, such as New York and California, which have implemented various legal and administrative measures to address road hazard claims and prevention. The study will include an assessment of current management practices, data on citizen claims, and a review of relevant statutes regarding liability and insurance. The DOTD is tasked with developing policy recommendations to improve road hazard mitigation and compensation procedures, with a report due to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works by February 1, 2026.