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HB 401

BRIDGES/FERRIES: Designates the elevated portion of United States Highway 190 as the "Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge"

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Abraham and 99 co-sponsors

HB 401 designates the elevated U.S. Highway 190 bridge in Covington as the Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge and requires commemorative signage funded by local/priva

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 401

Summary of HB 401 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Purpose and Primary Intent

  • Designates a specific elevated segment of U.S. Highway 190 in Covington, St. Tammany Parish, as the “Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge” (also referred to as the Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge in later amendments).
  • The designation honors a listed service member and memorializes his name on a public infrastructure element.

Key Provisions

  1. Designation
  2. Section 1 establishes the official name for the elevated portion of U.S. Highway 190 that crosses the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, St. Tammany Parish as the “Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge.”

  3. Location detail: over the Bogue Falaya River, within the city of Covington.

  4. Signage and Implementation

  5. Section 2 directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) or its contractors to erect and maintain signage reflecting the new designation.

  6. Funding condition: Signage may be installed only if local or private funds are provided to cover the DOTD’s actual costs for:

    • Material
    • Fabrication
    • Mounting posts
    • Installation

  7. Cost cap: Each sign cannot exceed $2,250 in total cost to install.

  8. Administrative and Implementation Details

  9. The bill assigns implementation responsibilities to DOTD or its contractors.

  10. Authorization hinges on the availability of local or private funding to cover the specified costs.

Affected Parties

  • Public: Drivers and travelers using U.S. Highway 190 in Covington, particularly the elevated section over the Bogue Falaya River.
  • Government: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and its contractors, responsible for erecting and maintaining signage reflecting the designation.
  • Local/private sector: Potential contributors providing funding to cover the signage costs (up to $2,250 per sign).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative History:
    • Pre-filed and introduced in 2026 Regular Session; received favorable committee action (reported favorably 12-0) and proceeded to floor debate.
    • Passed the House with unanimous vote (yea 98, nays 0) on April 15, 2026, after a title amendment and floor amendments for technical changes.
    • The bill was ordered to the Senate after passage.
  • Signage timeline: The bill does not mandate state-funded signage; it requires local/private funding to cover the DOTD’s costs. Implementation would occur only upon receipt of such funds sufficient to cover the established cost cap per sign.

Impact and Considerations

  • Identity and Commemoration: Creates a formal memorial designation for Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese, enhancing recognition of a local service member.
  • Fiscal Consideration: The designation does not impose cost on the state general fund; it relies on local or private funding to finance signage up to $2,250 per sign.
  • Maintenance: DOTD or its contractors are responsible for erecting and maintaining signage consistent with the designation.

Summary

HB 401 designates a specific elevated bridge segment on U.S. Highway 190 in Covington as the Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge and requires DOTD to install commemorative signage, funded entirely by local or private contributions up to $2,250 per sign. The measure emphasizes ceremonial naming while limiting any state financial obligation to the provision of signage funded externally.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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