§220.52. Powers, duties, and responsibilities

            A. The office of Louisiana Highway Construction shall consist of executive offices and staff as deemed necessary for effective governance and operation.

            B. The office shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

            (1) To enter into contracts with the federal government, any federal or state agency, political subdivision of the state, or private entities for the study, planning, engineering, design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of any nonfederal aid highway within the state highway system.

            (2) To contract for and accept grants of funds, subject to any terms or conditions, including matching fund requirements.

            (3) To use nonfederal funds and in-kind donations to provide for the costs associated with nonfederal cost-share requirements associated with projects.

            (4) To develop and adopt guidelines for cost-sharing agreements with public and private entities participating in projects managed by the office.

            (5) To enter into cooperative agreements with political subdivisions located wholly or partially within the boundaries of a project for any project-related purpose, including construction, operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of any nonfederal aid highway within the state highway system.

            (6) To exercise the same procurement procedures available to the Department of Transportation and Development in Titles 38, 39, and 48 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

            (7) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Section, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

            C. The office of Louisiana Highway Construction may:

            (1) Utilize the services of other executive departments of state government upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions.

            (2) Receive interagency transfers, state general fund allocations, or any other sources of funding allowed under the law necessary to support the delivery of its functions.

            (3) Take such other actions, not inconsistent with law, as are necessary to perform properly the functions of the office.

            (4) The office of Louisiana Highway Construction may engage in and utilize emergency procurement procedures for any purpose until January 1, 2026.

            D. On or before January fifteenth of each year, the office shall submit a report to the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. The report shall include a detailed list of each project that is planned, initiated, or advanced under the authority of this Section, along with the status, scope, funding sources, and expected timelines for each project.

            Acts 2025, No. 389, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.