NASBP Focal Point – May 22, 2025

Federal Report

Federal: Early Thursday morning, House Republicans united to pass the President’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” 215-214. This is viewed as a major victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, who was able to keep his conference together to ensure passage. The Speaker was also able to fulfill his promise of passing the measure before the Memorial Day recess. The bill includes a fresh round of tax cuts sought by Trump, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding for the military and border security. One provision needed to encourage support from members of the New York Republican Delegation was to raise the tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) from $10,0000 to $40,0000. The measure/fight now heads to the Senate, where House Republicans expect many of their fiscal policy provisions to be removed.

State Activity

New: LA HB 209 (Brass) Amends R.S. 38:2212(C)(5) by increasing the bond threshold in excess of $500,000 only in Ascension Parish. The bill requires the contractor to furnish a bond from a good, solvent, and sufficient surety in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price. On April 28, HB 209 passed the House 71-19. The legislation currently resides in the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. NASBP, ASA and SFAA requested their Louisiana members submit talking points in opposition to members of the Committee, and request they vote NO on HB 209. HB 209 sets forth a terrible precedent by allowing a single Parish to circumvent established Louisiana state bonding requirements (current bond threshold is $25,000/$100,000 Highway), which may lead to procurement malfeasance and favoritism.xxx

New: LA HB 687 (Wright) Authorizes the Port of New Orleans to utilize public-private partnerships (P3s) for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor roadway project. P3 agreements require a bond with sufficient surety and must adhere to the bond requirements set by the Louisiana DOT pursuant to R.S. 48:256.3. HB 687 passed the House 75-21 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

Update: TX SB 1066 (Perry) Amends Section 11.0171, the Parks and Wildlife Code, by raising the bond threshold from $25,000 to $150,000 for contracts of constructing, altering, or repairing a public building or carrying out or completing for the Department of Parks and Wildlife. SB 1066 passed the Senate and the House was signed into law on May 15. The legislation goes in effect on 9/1/25.

If you are aware of any bills impacting the industry, please reach out to Larry LeClair, NASBP’s Director of Government Relations, and let us know.