LA SB384

Parishes with populations between 350,000 and 410,000 may designate themselves as a "Pilot Innovation Hub" by ordinance or resolution to test innovative technologies addressing public challenges such as flooding, water management, subsidence, infrastructure, energy resilience, and coastal restoration.

Pilot Innovation Hubs may enter memoranda of understanding with anchor organizations that have experience managing real-world pilot programs to validate start-up technologies and inform procurement decisions.

Successful pilot completion requires a comprehensive report demonstrating performance data, a roadmap for scaled deployment, regulatory considerations, and proof the technology meets program goals without adversely affecting safety.

Upon successful pilot completion, parishes must award sole-source contracts to innovators without competitive bidding, provided the parish gives 30-day public notice with a protest period and the business maintains dedicated operations in Louisiana.

Effective August 1, 2026; excludes professional services from the procurement provisions.