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SB 122

TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for bridge maintenance by the Department of Transportation and Development. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Fési

SB 122 expands DOTD’s duty to inspect, maintain, preserve, and replace all state highway bridges, with initial and quarterly legislative reports detailing status, needs, funding, a

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 122

Summary of Louisiana SB 122 (2026 Regular Session)

Title

TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for bridge maintenance by the Department of Transportation and Development. (Effective 8/1/2026)

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes designated duties for the Department of Transportation and Development (LA/DOTD) related to the inspection, maintenance, preservation, and reporting of bridges within the state highway system that fall under the department’s responsibility.
  • Introduces a formal bridge-focused reporting program to track the status, needs, and funding for bridges overseen by the department, with initial reporting starting in September 2026 and ongoing quarterly updates beginning January 1, 2027.

Key Provisions

1) Definitions

  • Adds a new defined term: “Bridges” encompassing bridges, overpasses, culverts, and related components that are part of the state highway system and within the department’s responsibility under federal and state law.

2) Department Functions (R.S. 48:21(A) amended)

  • The department’s existing functions are retained and expanded to explicitly include:
    • Inspection, operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, preservation, and replacement of all bridges that are part of the state’s bridge infrastructure and state highways system, as defined in R.S. 48:1.
    • Oversight of maintenance projects aimed at restoring structural integrity, improving safety, extending bridge lifespans, addressing deterioration, implementing rehabilitation strategies, and managing emergency repairs to keep bridges safe and operational.
  • Clarifies that this authority applies to state-owned bridges; it does not extend to bridges owned or operated by local governments, special districts, toll authorities, or the federal government unless otherwise provided by law.

3) Bridge Review and Legislative Reporting (New R.S. 48:23.1)

  • A. Initial reporting and review:
    • Beginning September 1, 2026, the department must prepare and present a proposed plan and review of all bridges maintained, operated, or replaced by the department to the Legislature (joint meeting of the Senate Transportation/Hwys and House Transportation/Hwys Committees).
    • The committees may hold a public comment meeting within 45 days of request.
    • The initial report must include minimum details such as:
    • Number of bridges under the department’s responsibility.
    • Bridge maintenance status and the number of employees needed.
    • Bridge type and parish location.
    • Amount of funds required to maintain each bridge.
    • Source of funding for maintenance.
    • Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) condition rating.
  • B. Ongoing reporting:
    • Starting January 1, 2027, the department must present a quarterly review and proposed plan for preservation of all bridges under the department to the same joint legislative committees.

4) Administrative/Legal Adjustments

  • The Louisiana State Law Institute is authorized to alphabetize and renumber the definitions within R.S. 48:1 as needed.

Affected Entities and Scope

  • Primary impact: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will assume enhanced, explicit responsibilities for bridge-related activities across bridges within the state highway system under its jurisdiction.
  • Other bridge owners (local governments, special districts, toll authorities, federal bridges) are not covered by DOTD’s responsibility unless specifically provided by law.
  • Legislative bodies (Senate and House Transportation committees) will receive and review bridge-related plans and quarterly updates.

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • September 1, 2026: DOTD must deliver the initial bridge preservation plan/review to the joint committee.
  • Public comment meeting may be held within 45 days of a committee request.
  • January 1, 2027 and onward: DOTD to provide quarterly preservation reviews/plans.

Summary

SB 122 clarifies and expands DOTD’s role over state bridges, mandating ongoing inspection, maintenance, preservation, and replacement where applicable. It requires systematic reporting to the legislature, starting with a comprehensive plan in September 2026 and continuing quarterly updates from January 2027, including bridge counts, maintenance status, staffing needs, costs, funding sources, and FHWA condition ratings. The bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in bridge preservation within the state highway system.

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

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