HB345 • 2026

RAILROADS: Provides with respect to the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Dixon McMakin
Last action: 2026-05-21
Official status: Sent to Governor
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on whether projects must align with specific plans or if there are changes to funding allocation methods for existing projects.

Rail Infrastructure Program Expansion

This bill adds rail infrastructure projects at ports as eligible for funding under the Class II and III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program in Louisiana.

What This Bill Does

Adds rail infrastructure projects at ports to be eligible under the existing program.

Who It Names or Affects

Class II and III railroads in Louisiana
Ports in Louisiana

Terms To Know

Class II and III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program: A program that provides funding for railroad improvements to maintain efficient service.
Louisiana Freight Mobility Plan: A plan that outlines strategies for improving freight transportation in Louisiana.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be allocated for these new projects.
It is unclear what specific rail infrastructure improvements at ports are eligible under this program.

Bill History

2026-05-21 H
Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
2026-05-20 S
Signed by the President of the Senate.
2026-05-20 H
Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
2026-05-20 H
Received from the Senate without amendments.
2026-05-19 S
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
2026-05-13 S
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
2026-05-12 S
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
2026-05-11 S
Reported favorably.
2026-04-21 S
Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
2026-04-20 S
Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
2026-04-20 H
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
2026-04-15 H
Scheduled for floor debate on 04/20/2026.
2026-04-14 H
Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
2026-04-13 H
Reported favorably (14-0).
2026-03-09 H
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
2026-02-27 H
First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
2026-02-24 H
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
2026-02-24 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RAILROADS: Provides with respect to the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 345
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCMAKIN
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 48:388.1(A)(2)(f), relative to the Class II and III Rail Infrastructure
3 Improvement Program; to add rail infrastructure at ports as an eligible project for the
4 program; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 48:388.1(A)(2)(f) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 §388.1. Class II and III Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program
8 A.
9 * * *
10 (2) The program shall be made available to Class II and III railroads for rail
11 improvement needs to maintain efficient rail service on the rail network and to
12 implement recommendations in the Louisiana Freight Mobility Plan and State Rail
13 Plan. Eligible projects include but are not limited to:
14 * * *
15 (f) Rail infrastructure at ports.
16 * * *
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 1 of 1
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.