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SB 514

TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides relative to Department of Transportation and Development aeronautic activities. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Owen

Louisiana DOTD gains authority over aeronautics, shifting duties from DPS&C to the Office of Multimodal Commerce and advancing drone, UAS, and advanced air mobility programs.

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Bill Summary · SB 514

Summary of SB 514 (2026) – Louisiana

Main purpose and intent

SB 514 seeks to reorganize and expand Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) aeronautics framework, shifting certain aeronautics duties from the secretary of DOTD to the DOTD Office of Multimodal Commerce (commissioner of multimodal commerce). The bill also reorganizes terminology, appoints a new advisory committee for advanced aviation and drones, and broadens the scope of aeronautics-related activities and governance, including funding programs and airport development.

Key provisions and changes

  • Reassignment of duties within DOTD

    • Moves the responsibilities for aeronautic activities supervision from the DOTD secretary to the DOTD Office of Multimodal Commerce (the commissioner).
    • Transfers duties related to aircraft registration, identification, equipment, and enforcement from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce.
    • Shifts oaths and related license/endorsement signing authority from the secretary to the Office of Multimodal Commerce.

  • Definitions and organizational restructuring

    • Redefines terms to reflect the new organizational structure, including “Department,” “Director,” and “Fixed-base operator” (FBO).

  • Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee

    • Creates a 15-member Advisory Committee to provide policy and regulatory recommendations on drone technologies and advanced aeronautics.
    • Committee members are drawn from a range of stakeholders and includes one member from the governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

  • Advanced aeronautics functions and funding

    • Establishes functions for the aeronautics division to study and promote advanced air mobility, UAS/UAS integration, urban/rural air mobility, vertiports, and other advanced aviation technologies.
    • Allows the department to operate funding and development programs, including grants for unmanned systems research, infrastructure, and workforce training, and to pursue federal funding opportunities.
    • Requires annual reporting on unmanned and advanced aeronautics progress.

  • Duties and rulemaking related to aeronautics

    • The department can prescribe rules for the operation and safety of airports, flight instruction, and air navigation facilities, among other aeronautics activities.
    • Maintains authority over licensing, certification, inspections, investigations, and hearings related to aeronautics.

  • Airport development and regulation framework

    • Maintains and refines regulations around airport development, zoning, leases (including FBOs), and funding priority programs.
    • Includes provisions for funding priority lists, project reviews, oversight, audits, and potential sanctions for misuse of funds.
    • Clarifies the role of political subdivisions and airport authorities in financing, constructing, and operating airports and related facilities.

  • Section-specific repeals and effective date

    • Repeals certain provisions (R.S. 2:135.1(N)(3) and 2:1001–1004) as part of the reorganization.
    • Effective date: August 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • DOTD, specifically the Office of Multimodal Commerce, which gains enhanced authority over aeronautics and advanced aviation programs.
  • Department of Public Safety and Corrections, with reduced purview over aircraft registration and related enforcement (transferred to DOTD).
  • Airport authorities, parishes, municipalities, and other political subdivisions involved in airport ownership, leasing, zoning, and funding.
  • Stakeholders in the aviation sector, including drone and UAS operators, aviation education providers, and industries relying on advanced air mobility.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill directs annual reporting on unmanned and advanced aeronautics technologies.
  • It creates and establishes a governance and advisory structure with reporting to the legislature.
  • Operational changes take effect August 1, 2026, subject to administrative adjustments and rulemaking as needed.

Overall, SB 514 modernizes Louisiana’s aeronautics governance, shifts key duties to DOTD’s multimodal office, and emphasizes advanced aviation technologies and drone integration alongside traditional airport development.

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

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