§ 38:2 — Functions of department

§2. Functions of department
A.(1) The functions of the Department of Transportation and Development shall
comprise all of the administrative functions of the state in relation to the planning, design,
survey and construction, operation, and maintenance and repair of public buildings used in
connection with the operation of the department, and of levees, canals, dams, locks,
spillways, reservoirs, drainage systems, irrigation systems, housing development, state
planning, inland navigation projects, flood control and river improvement programs, public
housing projects, and other public works. The department shall render all engineering,
economic, and other advisory services within the scope of its functions to port and terminal
districts and other local governmental subdivisions and special districts which its facilities
allow, subject to the right to be reimbursed for the reasonable costs thereof.
(2)(a) The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board shall have
superseding jurisdiction over all integrated coastal protection, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2,
in the coastal area, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2.
(b) The Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and
Transportation Authority Board shall have superseding jurisdiction over all integrated
projects in the upland area, as provided in R.S. 38:2351 et seq.
(3)(a) Subject to the right to be reimbursed for reasonable costs associated with such
service, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board shall render to local
governmental subdivisions, levee districts, levee and conservation districts, flood authorities,
and any other special district all engineering, economic, and other advisory services within
the scope of its functions and jurisdiction as defined in R.S. 49:214.2(3) and (10) which its
facilities allow.
(b) Subject to the right to be reimbursed for reasonable costs associated with such
service, the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and
Transportation Authority Board shall render to local governmental subdivisions, levee
districts, ports, navigation districts and commissions, levee and conservation districts, and
any other special district all engineering, economic, and other advisory services within the
scope of its functions and jurisdiction as provided in R.S. 38:2351 et seq., which its facilities
allow.
B. If a decision is made by the agency or political subdivision involved to proceed
with construction of a project concerning which the Department of Transportation and
Development or the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, if the area is
located within the coastal area, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2(3), and involves integrated
coastal protection, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2(10), has been called upon to furnish
engineering services, a feasibility study of the project shall be conducted by the department
or the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, if the area is located within the
coastal area, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2(3), and involves integrated coastal protection, as
defined in R.S. 49:214.2(10), at the expense of the agency or political subdivision requesting
such services. The study shall be completed prior to the commencement of construction on
the project. The study shall be in writing and shall make a determination as to the
desirability, feasibility, cost necessity, and beneficial results of any such proposed project.
Whenever any such project is a levee, the study shall make a determination of the necessity
of the project from the viewpoint of flood control in addition to making the foregoing
determinations. Each such study shall be filed in the records of the Department of
Transportation and Development or the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board,
if the area is located within the coastal area, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2(3), and involves
integrated coastal protection, as defined in R.S. 49:214.2(10), pertaining to the particular
project in question, and such study shall be a public record open to inspection by any person
during the normal working hours of the Department of Transportation and Development.
C. The Department of Transportation and Development may prepare maps of
Louisiana congressional districts, legislative districts, Louisiana State Board of Elementary
and Secondary Education districts, and Louisiana Public Service Commission districts
following reapportionment of the districts as otherwise provided by law.

Legislative History

Amended by Acts 1971, No. 193, §1; Acts 1983, No. 519, §3, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1991, No. 330, §2, eff. July 6, 1991; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 29, §1, eff. April 24, 1998; Acts 2012, No. 601, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.