PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Provides for requirements for commissioners of the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Summary
SB 170 revises the law governing the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission. The bill keeps the commission at nine members, but adds new qualification requirements for commissioners, including that appointees serve without compensation, be subject to Senate confirmation, and have expertise in economic development, transportation, logistics, or commercial real estate. It also reorganizes the appointment structure for the commission’s seats by parish and city, including residency requirements for appointees from Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Shreveport, and Bossier City.
The bill also updates term rules and limits for commissioners. Most commissioners continue to serve six-year terms, but the Shreveport at-large seat remains tied to the mayor’s term, and several seats are limited to two consecutive terms. The bill preserves vacancy-filling procedures, citizenship and voter/property taxpayer qualifications, and the existing directive that appointing authorities should seek racial diversity and representation that reflects the areas served by the appointees.
Impact
SB 170 amends R.S. 34:3158, the statute creating and governing the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission. Its practical effect is to change who may serve on the commission, how commissioners are appointed and confirmed, what qualifications they must have, and how long they may remain in office. The bill affects the appointing authorities for Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Shreveport, and Bossier City, and it adds a role for the Louisiana Senate in confirming commissioners.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate 36-0, the House 89-0, and then received unanimous Senate concurrence 34-0 before being signed by the governor as Act 470. The unanimous votes suggest general agreement that the commission’s membership rules should be updated without significant opposition.
Contention
No major opposition is reflected in the available record, and there are no committee transcripts showing debate. The only potentially notable policy choices are the new Senate confirmation requirement, the added professional-expertise requirement, and the term-limit changes, which could affect local appointing authorities and future commissioner eligibility. The bill also preserves the existing emphasis on geographic residency and racial diversity in appointments, indicating an effort to balance local representation with professional qualifications.
Provides relative to the authority of the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission to use the payment in lieu of taxes program (OR NO IMPACT LF EX See Note)
Provides for the operation of saltwater disposal wells in the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster (EG +$111,002 SG EX See Note)
Designates May 9, 2025, as AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Volunteer Day and commends the AmeriCorps Seniors Southern University at Shreveport Caddo/Bossier/DeSoto Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program for forty-five years of service
Designates May 9, 2025, as AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Volunteer Day and commends the AmeriCorps Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA) Caddo/Bossier/DeSoto Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program for 45 years of service.
Provides relative to the issuance of bonds by the Lake Providence Port Commission and the powers of the commission. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)
Article V Convention; process for appointing commissioners and alternate commissioners to represent the State of Alabama at Article V Convention established