(The Center Square) — House Bill 480, which previously received opposition from the Caddo Parish Commission, was deferred for a second time during Monday’s House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works meeting.
“For anyone that’s here for House Bill 480, by Representative (Danny) McCormick, I’m gonna move to defer that bill at this point in time,” said the committee chairman, Rep. Ryan Bourriaque, R-Abbeville, during the meeting.
Bourriaque did not give a reason for the deferment and did not say when the measure, which would’ve restricted the Port of Caddo-Bossier’s ability to do pilot programs, would be discussed again by the committee.
Last week, HB480 was amended and postponed after Rep. Bryan Fontenot, R-Thibodaux, recommended that Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, speak with many Caddo and Bossier city officials who had expressed opposition to the bill. A week has passed, and since the postponement, the Caddo Parish Commission voted on a resolution that opposes the port bill.
Resolution 28 was proposed by Commission President Stormy Gage-Watts during last week’s regular session. Many commissioners spoke both in favor and against the resolution.
Some felt it was too soon to oppose a bill that was being amended. Others felt the process should remain the same since it has brought benefits to Caddo Parish.
Ultimately, the commission voted in favor of the resolution opposing HB480.
When McCormick previously discussed the bill, he said he hadn’t received any opposition.
“Nobody has reached out with any opposition to me, so I’m not aware of that,” said McCormick.
According to Fontenot last week, the bill has received widespread opposition from many Caddo-Bossier city officials, including the Caddo Commission.
The port is located on the Red River Waterway just south of Shreveport in Caddo Parish.
