New Qualifications For Caddo Bossier Port Commission Members Explained

Changes could soon be on the way for how members of the Caddo Bossier Port Commission are appointed. The measure proposed by Senator Thomas Pressly has been passed by the House Transportation Committee and it's now headed to the full House. It's already passed in the Senate.

Pressly's bill would give the senate the power to confirm members of the Port Commission. SB 170 also has requirements for the skill set the members of the Commission must possess before being appointed.

Who Appoints Members of the Port Commission

City of Shreveport (4 members): Appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
Bossier City (2 members): Appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
Caddo Parish (2 members): Appointed by the Caddo Parish Commission.
Bossier Parish (1 member): Appointed by the Bossier Police Jury

This process will continue, but the Senate will now have to approve any new members to the panel. All current members will be allowed to serve out their terms.

This bill also puts in place qualifications for future members of the commission.

Senator Pressly's bill says the members should have expertise in transportation, logistics, economic development, or commercial real estate. Pressly says "I think we should have folks on the board with these skill sets to ensure we're getting the best possible result for the people of Northwest Louisiana"

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Senator Pressly says "Their mission is for growing job opportunities in northwest Louisiana. They have a tax produces a little less than $10 million a year and I think it's important that we have additional checks on the commission." Pressly says the legislature created the Caddo Bossier Port Commission and lawmakers should have some oversight. He says several other port commissions are also subject to Senate confirmation including New Orleans and Lake Charles.