(The Center Square) – Two pending bills at the statehouse this legislative session offer contrasting approaches for how local governments can choose members of the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission.
Both laws would alter who possesses authority to choose who serves on the port’s board, a regional organization that oversees major economic decisions in northwest Louisiana.
The Caddo-Bossier port acts as an industrial complex and transportation hub for barges and rail lines situated south of Shreveport along the Red River.
A nine-person commission governs the port’s commercial activities and is directly appointed by city and parish governments to serve six-year terms.
The legislation – if it becomes law – would affect the next appointment of three Shreveport and one Bossier Parish Police Jury commissioners, whose terms expire in the next year and a half. They are Sam Gregorio, Roy Griggs, James Hall and Rick Prescott, according to a report from the state’s Division of Administration.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from parish and city leaders.
State Sen. Thomas Pressly, a Republican from Shreveport, authored Senate Bill 170 that amends requirements for members of the commission to require all appointed commissioners be subject to Senate confirmation and that members possess expertise in economic development, transportation, logistics or commercial real estate.
Presley’s bill allows for continued local input but shifts approving authority to state leaders who sign off or reject their decision.
It’s currently pending in the Senate transportation, highways, and public works committee. The measure is not expected to add additional costs, according to a review by the legislative auditor’s office.
The competing measure, also pending in a House committee, moves decision-making closer to voters. State Rep. Danny McCormick, a Republican from Oil City, introduced SB170, which changes the selection process for members of the commission from appointed to elected.
The commission would become an elected body selected every four years by Caddo and Bossier parish voters using the gubernatorial primary election cycle. They could only serve three consecutive four-year terms.
McCormick told The Center Square in an earlier interview that he favors having commissioners elected so they are “directly responsible” for tax abatement decisions granted as business incentives. Area voters could weigh in on their actions – the elected commissioners – at the ballot box.
In 2021, the state gave the port authority engagement in economic development activities through tax abatement incentives called payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT). The port’s area of authority includes the entirety of Caddo and Bossier parishes, according to Louisiana law.
Port commission public notices and meeting minutes reveal PILOT agreements tied to a solar project near Hostton in Caddo Parish and a potential upcoming “multimodal transport” project in Bossier Parish.
McCormick’s measure may increase local fund expenditures of the port by approximately $27,700 annually and by approximately $27,700 to $320,100 per election for any special elections needed to fill vacancies, according to a review by the legislative auditor’s office.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from the port commission.
The port’s “ending fund balance/net assets” shows a strong financial position. In 2026, that figure was reported by the state’s Division of Administration as a little over $206 million. Revenue is listed ad valorem taxes, lease and tenant fees, oil and gas royalty, water and sewer, bond issue proceeds, and grants for capital projects.
The port’s role in regional economic development is growing. The port is part of the state’s new FastSites initiative, a program that preapproves sites to receive business development funds. These locations will attract companies with tax incentives and project-ready sites.
The port is set to receive a portion of the first round of funding. Nineteen sites were selected. In the 2025 legislative session, a “$150 million Site Investment and Infrastructure Fund” was created for this purpose, according to Louisiana Economic Development.
Investments may include infrastructure extensions, rail and road access improvements, utility upgrades, environmental remediation, demolition and site due diligence.
