PUBLIC LANDS: Provides for the transfer of certain property in Lafayette Parish. (gov sig)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gerald Boudreaux and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes transfer of specified Lafayette Parish surface land to the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority, while the state retains mineral rights.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 350.

Summary of Bill: SB 71 (2026, Louisiana)

Purpose and Intent

Authorizes the transfer of specific state-owned property in Lafayette Parish to the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority.

Ensures the state reserves mineral rights (i.e., mineral ownership remains with the state) while transferring surface rights.

The mechanism is intended to facilitate conveyance of property for public use or financing arrangements consistent with the Authority’s purposes.

Key Provisions and Changes

Section 1: The Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is empowered to convey, transfer, assign, lease, or deliver any interest in certain described parcels to the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority. This excludes mineral rights, which remain with the state.

Property described includes multiple parcels (ADV-19-A-P1, ADV-19-C-P1, and ADV-13-P1) within Lafayette Parish, associated with State Project No. 455-01-0034 (I-10 Connector / Lafayette–I-49 connection).
Parcel descriptions reference specific bounds and measurements from survey maps and include:
ADV-19-A-P1: 0.547 acre
ADV-19-C-P1: 0.78 acre
ADV-13-P1: two lots in the McComb Addition (Lots 1 & 2) and Lot 3, totaling the described land in McComb Addition
The conveyance would include the land and improvements, along with rights, privileges, servitudes, and appurtenances, but exclude mineral rights.

Section 2: The DOTD Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements, covenants, conditions, and stipulations and to execute documents necessary to effectuate the conveyance or other transfer arrangements to the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority. Any exchange of consideration should be proportionate to the appraised value of the property.

Section 3: Effective date – the act takes effect upon the governor’s signature or the lapse of time for gubernatorial action. If vetoed, it becomes effective upon legislative approval as provided by the Louisiana Constitution.

Affected Parties and Impacts

State interests: The state would retain mineral (subsurface) rights, maintaining control over minerals, while transferring surface ownership to the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority.

Local/public impact: The Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority would gain ownership of surface land (and improvements) associated with the I-10 Connector/Lafayette infrastructure project. This could support public financing arrangements, development, or other projects aligned with the Authority’s mandate.

Potential stakeholders: DOTD (conveying agency), Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority, and the public benefiting from enhanced or leveraged uses of the conveyed parcels.

Procedural and Timing Aspects

The bill specifies a transfer process overseen by the DOTD Secretary, including related agreements and documents, with consideration proportionate to appraised value.

Effective date is tied to gubernatorial action (signature or time lapse) or legislative approval if veto occurs.

Additional Notes

Committee amendments changed the reference from commissioner of administration to secretary of DOTD, aligning responsibility with the Department of Transportation and Development.

The bill is part of the 2026 Regular Session and has undergone standard legislative steps (referral, committee amendments, and passage) as reflected in the action history.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language comparison to current law or a brief impact assessment for impacted agencies.