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HLS 26RS-167 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 803
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAYHAM
PORTS/NEW ORLEANS: Changes the membership of the Board of Commissioners of the
Port of New Orleans
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 34:1(A)(1) and (3) and (B)(3), relative to the membership of the
3 Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans; to modify the membership of
4 the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans; to increase the number of
5 Board of Commissioners from St. Bernard Parish; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 34:1(A)(1) and (3) and (B)(3) are hereby amended and reenacted to
8 read as follows:
9 §1. Continuation; qualifications; appointments; terms; vacancies
10 A. Membership; qualifications; vacancies.
11 (1) The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, hereinafter
12 referred to as "the board" is continued. The number of members comprising the
13 board shall be seven eight, who shall be qualified voters, four of whom shall each
14 have his principal place of business in the parish of Orleans, two of whom shall each
15 have his principal place of business in the parish of Jefferson, and one two of whom
16 shall have his principal place of business in the parish of St. Bernard. The four
17 members from the parish of Orleans shall fill the positions on the board to be
18 designated as Positions D, E, F, and G; the two members from the parish of Jefferson
19 shall fill the positions on the board to be designated as Positions A and C; and the
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HLS 26RS-167 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 803
1 member two members from the parish of St. Bernard shall fill the position on the
2 board to be designated as Position B.
3 * * *
4 (3) All members shall be experienced in the commerce or industry, or both,
5 of the port area, and shall otherwise possess the qualifications prescribed by law.
6 Notwithstanding any prohibition contained in Part II of Chapter 15 of Title 42 of the
7 Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, a member appointed prior to August 1, 2018 on
8 or after August 1, 2026, employed in the maritime industry may serve as a member
9 as provided in this Paragraph. The provisions of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised
10 Statutes of 1950 in effect on the date of the appointment of a member appointed prior
11 to August 1, 2018 August 1, 2026, shall apply to that member for the term of that
12 member. The present members appointed prior to August 1, 2018 August 1, 2026,
13 seven in number, shall continue to serve on the board for the duration of their
14 respective terms, and shall remain subject to the provisions of Title 42 of the
15 Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 in effect on the date of that member's
16 appointment. A member appointed on or after August 1, 2018 August 1, 2026,
17 employed in the maritime industry may serve as a member as provided in this
18 Paragraph, subject to the provisions of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
19 1950.
20 * * *
21 B. Nominating agencies.
22 * * *
23 (3) For the purpose of selecting nominees for the member two members to
24 be appointed by the governor from the nominees selected by the St. Bernard Parish
25 nominating organization, the following agencies shall constitute and shall be
26 designated as the St. Bernard Parish nominating organization:
27 * * *
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HLS 26RS-167 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 803
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 803 Original 2026 Regular Session Bayham
Abstract: Increases the membership of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New
Orleans.
Present law requires that the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans be
comprised of seven members, with four members having his principal place of business in
the parish of Orleans, with two members having his principal place of business in the parish
of Jefferson, and with one member having his principal place of business in the parish of St.
Bernard.
Proposed law increases the Board of Commissioners membership from seven to eight.
Further increases the parish of St. Bernard's membership from one to two.
Present law requires that all members be experienced in the commerce or industry, or both,
of the port area, when appointed prior to Aug. 1, 2018.
Proposed law modifies present law by requiring members be experienced in the commerce
or industry, or both, of the port area, who are appointed on or after Aug. 1, 2026.
Present law provides that the provisions of present law in effect on the date of any members
appointment prior to Aug. 1, 2018 must apply for their terms.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the date from Aug. 1, 2018 to Aug. 1, 2026.
Present law requires that the seven present members appointed prior to Aug. 1, 2018
continue to serve on the board for the duration of their respective terms.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the date from Aug. 1, 2018 to Aug. 1, 2026.
Present law provides that a person employed in the maritime industry and appointed on or
after to Aug. 1, 2018 may serve as a board member, subject to present law.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the date from Aug. 1, 2018 to Aug. 1, 2026.
Present law requires the nominating organization, appointed by the governor, be only
selected from four different entities. Further provides that St. Bernard Parish have one
nominee.
Proposed law increases the nominees from one to two for the St. Bernard Parish nominating
organization.
(Amends R.S. 34:1(A)(1) and (3) and (B)(3))
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