Senate Resolution No. by Senator Wheat directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to establish a two-year pilot program for the implementation of dispute review boards on selected highway and transportation construction projects, starting in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The resolution highlights the importance of resolving disputes during construction to prevent delays, increased costs, and potential litigation. Dispute review boards, composed of independent experts, will provide neutral recommendations to help avoid and resolve conflicts related to contract interpretation, payment issues, and other project-related disputes without altering the terms of the contracts.

The resolution outlines the criteria for selecting pilot projects, which will include at least five projects per fiscal year, and mandates that the DOTD maintain a roster of qualified dispute review board members. It also specifies the procedures for the dispute review process, including early orientation meetings and the submission of position papers. The DOTD is required to submit an interim report by March 1, 2027, and a final report by June 30, 2028, detailing the pilot program's implementation, outcomes, and recommendations for future actions regarding the dispute review board process.