Proposed law creates the LPMC to serve as an advocate for all of the state's ports, to articulate a vision for the future of the state's ports through development of a master plan for such development, to provide focus and coordination for the state's efforts to attract international trade to the state's ports, to set funding priorities for the development and growth of the state's ports and its water transportation system, and to leverage the financing capacity of the state's ports through coordinated financing arrangements.

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Proposed law provides for governance of the council by a board of directors composed of the following members:

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(1) The commissioner of multimodal commerce, will serve as chairman of the board.

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(2) The secretary of the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) or his designee.

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(3) The secretary of the Dept. of Economic Development or his designee.

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(4) The commissioner shall appoint three members from a single list of six nominations submitted by La. ports. Such appointees serve at the pleasure of the commissioner.

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Proposed law provides that the council shall:

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(1) Represent the public interest in the administration of proposed law.

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(2) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the functions of the council.

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(3) Organize, plan, supervise, direct, administer, execute, and be responsible for the functions and programs vested in the council.

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(4) Advise the commissioner on problems concerning the administration of the council and the functions and operations of La. ports.

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(5) Make reports and recommendations.

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(6) Compile and provide all information necessary for confecting an annual budget.

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Proposed law provides that the council may:

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(1) Employ personnel as necessary.

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(2) Accept and use, in accordance with law, gifts, grants, bequests, and endowments for purposes consistent with the responsibilities and functions of the council and take such actions as are necessary to comply with any conditions required for such acceptance.

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(3) Issue bonds and incur debt on behalf of a La. port.

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(4) Do such other things, not inconsistent with law, as are necessary to perform properly the functions vested in it.

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Proposed law requires the board to develop a master plan for coordinated port development and growth and to review, revise, and amend the master plan when necessary, at least every four years. Provides for review of the plan and proposed revisions by the legislative transportation committees and for approval of the plan and proposed revisions by the Bd. of International Commerce.

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Present law creates the Port Construction and Development Priority Program and the Waterway Dredging and Deepening Priority Program. Both programs are managed and implemented by DOTD.

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Proposed law retains present law except to transfer responsibility for the programs to the LPA. Present law creates the office of multimodal commerce within DOTD to administer the planning and programming functions of the department related to strategic and intermodal issues, aviation, commercial trucking, intercity public mass transit, railroad expansion and development, port and water transportation systems, and related matters.

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Proposed law retains present law except to remove responsibility for port and water transportation systems from the office.

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Proposed law expresses intention of the legislature that personnel and resources of DOTD engaged in or dedicated to functions transferred to the LPA by proposed law will also be transferred to the council.