NASBP opposes HB209, legislation to raise the bond threshold in Ascension Parish, Louisiana

This letter, sent to the Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the Louisiana State Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, voices opposition to HB209, including any amendments, which seeks to increase the current bond threshold in Ascension Parish.

HB209 amends R.S. 38:2212(C)(5) by increasing the bond threshold in excess of $500,000 in Ascension Parish. This legislation would remove critical protections for taxpayers and businesses and would establish a detrimental precedent by allowing one Parish to circumvent long-established Louisiana state bonding requirements (current bond threshold is $25,000/$100,000 Highway), which may lead to procurement malfeasance in Ascension Parrish.