§5224. Development of the strategic plan and investment program

            A.(1) The board shall, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section, do the following:

            (a) Develop a strategic plan and investment program for the economic development of Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission.

            (b) Review, revise, and amend the strategic plan when necessary or, at a minimum, every two years.

            (2) The strategic plan shall include requests for funding of projects and programs related to port development. The investment plan shall include at least a two-year projection of funding of projects and programs, including but not limited to relevant public or private funding sources.

            B. The board shall develop the plans in accordance with the following procedures:

            (1) The strategic plan and investment program shall be separate and distinct from the port priority program with the office of multimodal commerce.

            (2) The board shall conduct not less than three public hearings in separate locations at three ports in different regions of the state for the purpose of receiving comments and recommendations from the public and elected officials. The hearings shall be conducted every other year to receive comments on the effectiveness of the existing plan and proposals for revisions to the plan.

            (3) After adoption of a plan or revisions to a plan, the board shall submit the plan or revisions to the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works for review and comment. The committees, acting individually or jointly, shall have sixty days to hold a hearing on the proposed plan or revisions.

            (4) The board shall consider any recommendations made by either committee that were adopted at a meeting of the committee and incorporate such recommendations as it deems appropriate.

            (5) The board shall submit the plan or program revisions to the Louisiana Board of International Commerce for review and advice.

            C. The strategic plan and investment program shall include but not be limited to the following:

            (1) A list of projects and programs intended to enhance trade utilizing Louisiana ports.

            (2) A schedule and estimated cost for the implementation of each project or program.

            D. The strategic plan and investment program shall receive an appropriation upon the agreement of the governor and the legislature.

            Acts 2024, No. 755, §1.