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ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 655
BY REPRESENTATIVE BRAUD
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 48:25, relative to the operation and control of ferries by the
3 Department of Transportation and Development; to authorize the department to enter
4 into contracts for the construction, operation, and maintenance of ferries and related
5 facilities; to exempt contracts for the construction, operation, and maintenance of
6 ferries and associated facilities from certain applicable provisions when in the best
7 interest of the state; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
8 matters.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 48:25 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
11 §25. Operation or control of ferries, etc.
12 A. The department may take over, control, operate, maintain, and regulate
13 such ferries, barges, or other similar means of transportation, including any related
14 facilities, as it thinks determines necessary to provide adequate, safe, and efficient
15 transportation to the public. It may prescribe and collect such ferry charges or
16 transfer charges as it thinks necessary to maintain these services at rates reasonably
17 anticipated to generate revenue in an amount that shall not exceed the cost of the
18 services provided. To that end, it the department may let franchises or enter into
19 contracts for these services in the name of the state, alone or jointly with the parishes
20 or municipalities of the state, or with other states, or with the political subdivisions
21 of other states.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HB NO. 655 ENROLLED
1 B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if the
2 department determines it is in the best interest of the state, contracts for the operation
3 or maintenance of department-owned ferries, barges, or similar means of
4 transportation may be let on a cost-plus basis and shall not be subject to the
5 provisions of R.S. 38:2221 or R.S. 48:255.4.
6 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
7 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
8 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
9 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
10 effective on the day following such approval.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.