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A.  In addition to the authority granted in this Chapter and by other state or federal laws and regulations, ports in the state of Louisiana shall have the authority to develop and undertake port security and safety plans for protection of all persons, maritime facilities, and vessels operating within their respective physical and operational jurisdictions. Such plans will set forth how the port will deter and respond to transportation security incidents utilizing authority granted in this Chapter and in other state and federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to the “Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002”, United States Code Title 46, Subtitle VI, Chapter 701.

B.  The port commissions, districts, and authorities in the state of Louisiana shall have the authority to enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with federal, state, and local political subdivisions or agencies to implement a port security and safety plan as required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act.  In addition, the ports in the state of Louisiana together with other governmental agencies may enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with privately owned and operated facilities, vessels, and fleets to implement applicable security and safety plans.  All security and safety plans for ports and privately owned or operated facilities, vessels, and fleets in the state of Louisiana shall be classified as “Security Sensitive Information”.

C.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, information developed relative to public and private security plans, vessel or fleet security plans, port or facility vulnerability assessments, security and safety plans, or other information related to security plans, procedures, or programs for facilities or vessels shall not be required to be disclosed to the public and shall not be deemed a public record under the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 44:1 et seq.

D.  Nothing in this Subpart shall prevent the disclosure of information pertaining to the names of consultants competing for business from public entities or consultants selected through the public bidding process nor the amount of  fees paid by the public entity to such consultants for implementing port security and safety plans, procedures, or programs for port commissions, districts, authorities, privately owned or operated facilities, vessels, and fleets.

Acts 2003, No. 667, §1.