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HB 1000

TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Modifies certain operations within the Department of Transportation and Development and the Highway Priority Program

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jacob Braud

Increases DOTD project contract authority from $1M to $3M while boosting oversight, reporting clarity, and documentation for changes and exclusions in the Highway Priority Program.

Effective date: 05/29/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1000

Summary of HB 1000 (2026) — Louisiana

Purpose

HB 1000 reformulates certain operations within the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Highway Priority Program. It clarifies reporting timelines, strengthens project visibility, and increases the contract limit for DOTD projects.

Key Provisions

  • Highway Priority Program submissions (R.S. 48:229.1)

    • The annual submission must include a detailed list of changes to the completed previous year’s Highway Priority Program, with explanations for each change.
    • The bill aligns the goal with progress: at least 90% of projects in the program should progress as provided in the completed previous year’s program submission (the text now ties progress to the completed year rather than the previous year’s initial submission).
    • The DOTD must, in its annual submission, include changes to the completed previous year’s program and explain reasons for those changes.
    • The DOTD must also provide a status report on projects in the current Highway Priority Program to the House and Senate transportation committees annually.

  • Status reporting clarification (R.S. 48:229.1(H))

    • Clarifies that the annual status report refers to the current (not past) Highway Priority Program.

  • Final construction program process (R.S. 48:231(A)(5))

    • After hearings, the department creates the final construction program for the coming fiscal year.
    • Projects discussed at hearings but not included in the final construction program must receive a numerical identification and a written justification for exclusion.
    • The bill adds a deadline: the DOTD must provide the numerical identifications and written justifications to the House and Senate transportation committees on or before October 1 of the following fiscal year.

  • Contract limit for DOTD projects (R.S. 48:251(B))

    • The contract limit for construction, maintenance, or improvement projects exceeds the current statutory threshold of $1,000,000.
    • HB 1000 increases the contract limit to $3,000,000.
    • All contracts exceeding the new limit must still be executed in the name of the DOTD and signed by the Secretary (or his designee) and the contracting party.
    • Governmental liability must remain within available funds.

Who Is Affected

  • DOTD: Changes to reporting, project tracking, final construction program process, and increased contract authority.
  • Louisiana Legislature (House and Senate committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works): Receives clearer and timelier information on program changes, project status, and justification for excluded projects.
  • Contracting Parties/Entities: Potentially larger projects (up to $3 million) can be contracted without seeking additional authorization steps, subject to statutory and fiscal constraints.
  • Auditors and Legislative Oversight: The re-emphasized reporting and monitoring requirements affect compliance and oversight practices.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • October 1 Deadline: For the DOTD to provide numerical identifications and written justifications for projects discussed but excluded from the final construction program.
  • Annual Reporting: DOTD must report project status for the current Highway Priority Program to the designated House and Senate committees each year.
  • Hearing Process: After hearings, the department must forward a final construction program for the coming year to the legislature, with exclusions justified if applicable.

Summary

HB 1000 tightens oversight and transparency around Louisiana’s Highway Priority Program, clarifies the scope of annual and status reporting, and increases the contract limit for DOTD projects from $1 million to $3 million. The overall aim is to improve accountability for changes to the program, ensure clearer communication of project status, and streamline certain contracting thresholds while maintaining fiscal safeguards.

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

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