The 2026 Regular Session is underway and the first week is officially in the books. None of the bills ACECL is tracking moved this week, but as of today, one has been scheduled for House Transportation Committee on Monday.
HB 857, by House Transportation Vice Chair Brian Fontenot, will provide LADOTD with the authority to enter into IDIQ contracts with contractors for maintenance and preservation projects. While the intent is something ACECL could support as the department looks to enhance efficiencies within project delivery, we believe the current language in the bill is too broad and open ended. Specifically, the bill currently reads that these IDIQ's can be used for "maintenance, preservation, reconstruction, repair and construction projects." If the purpose is to use this new contracting method for smaller preservation and maintenance projects, we believe the language in the bill should be limited to these types of projects. I was able to share our concerns with the department who understood and said they would work on revised language to more specifically define how these new IDIQ construction contracts can be used.
