La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4175 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4175
Public power authorities in the city of New Orleans
Status: in_force

A. Unless the text clearly requires otherwise, the following terms, when used in this Section, shall have the following meanings, to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms:

(1) "Authority" or "public power authority" shall mean any public power authority created or ratified pursuant to this Section.

(2) "Bonds" or "revenue bonds" shall mean bonds, notes, certificates, or other obligations for repayment of borrowed money payable from, and which may be secured by a pledge of, revenue derived or to be derived by the authority from any source, including but not limited to revenue derived from fees, rates, rentals, charges, grants, and investments, by proceeds of the bonds of the authority, and by any other monies or assets of the authority.

(3) "Facility" or "facilities" shall mean any facilities within or outside the state, including but not limited to all related immovable and movable property for the generation, cogeneration, production, supply, transmission, distribution, and/or sale, at wholesale or retail, of electric power and energy or gas, or for the production, procurement, transportation, or storage of associated fuel, water, steam, or other cogeneration byproducts, or any interest in any of the foregoing.

(4) "Fiscal year" shall mean the twelve-month calendar year.

(5) "Persons" shall mean corporations, firms, associations, partnerships, political subdivisions, and individuals.

(6) "State" shall mean the state of Louisiana.

(7) "Take or pay contract" shall mean any contract relating to the purchase or sale of electric power and energy or gas and/or electric or gas transmission or distribution services and providing for some or all payments to be made thereunder by the authority whether or not any facility is completed, operable, or operating and notwithstanding the suspension, interruption, interference, reduction, or curtailment of the output of any facility or of the electric power and energy, gas or transmission or distribution services contracted for, and including any such contract which provides that such payments shall not be subject to any reduction, whether by offset or otherwise, and shall not be conditioned upon the performance or nonperformance by the authority or any other party to any such contract.

B.(1) The city of New Orleans may create a public power authority as a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana constituting a legal entity separate and apart from the municipal corporation in accordance with the procedures established under the provisions of R.S. 33:4172 for the purpose of providing electric power and energy and gas services solely to the municipality and its inhabitants and engaging in related activities in furtherance thereof.

(2) The ordinance pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 33:4172 creating the public power authority authorized by this Section shall provide that until the expiration of all legal and/or contractual obligations undertaken by said public power authority and/or its successor, the retail regulatory authority of said public power authority and/or its successor in accordance with sound regulatory principles shall establish, and shall revise as necessary, rates so as to provide funds sufficient at all times to pay any and all amounts which said public power authority and/or its successor may be obligated to pay by law or contract from revenues collected from said rates and to provide reasonable reserves therefor.

(3) The authority's operating and capital budget shall be submitted to the retail regulatory authority for review and approval which shall be completed prior to the commencement of each fiscal year in accordance with the rules therefor established by the retail regulatory authority. If the authority determines to outsource operations and maintenance of any element of the utility system, then:

(a) Any contract executed by the authority and a third party for such operation and maintenance services and the third party's initial operating and capital budget related thereto shall be reviewed and approved in accordance with the prudent utility practices standard by the retail regulatory authority prior to contract implementation; and

(b) Each succeeding annual operating and capital budget, and any amendments or supplements to all such operating or capital budgets, shall be reviewed and approved in accordance with the prudent utility practices standard by the retail regulatory authority prior to their implementation.

(4) Any authority established pursuant to this Section shall be considered a public utility for purposes of determining responsibility for the supervision, regulation, and control of the authority. The governing body of the public power authority shall be the public power authority board of directors described and appointed as provided in this Section.

C.(1) The board of directors of the authority, referred to in this Section as "the board", shall consist of seven members. Each member shall be a qualified voter in and a resident of the municipality for at least two years prior to the date of his selection by the nominating council as provided in this Section.

(2) The membership of the board shall be composed of at least one certified public accountant; at least one attorney; at least one finance, investment, or banking industry executive; at least one licensed electrical engineer; one residential customer representative; and one small commercial or industrial customer representative.

(3) The members of the board initially appointed pursuant to this Section shall at their first meeting determine by lot their terms of office, which terms shall commence immediately upon their appointment and shall expire respectively as follows: one member in one year; one member in two years; two members in three years; one member in four years, and two members in five years.

(4) All members of the board thereafter appointed, except a member appointed to fill an unexpired term, shall be appointed for five-year terms. No member shall be eligible to succeed himself unless his immediately previous appointment was to serve for the unexpired portion of a term which had less than two years remaining.

(5) A vacancy created by reason of death, resignation, expiration of term, removal, or any other cause shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(6) Members shall continue to serve until their successors have been appointed and take office.

(7) Except for being a retail customer of the authority, no member of the board or any of the immediate family of the member shall own or have any interest or part in any business, company, or entity conducting business of any kind with the authority. "Immediate family" as used in this Paragraph shall mean his children, the spouses of his children, his brothers and their spouses, his sisters and their spouses, his parents, his spouse, the parents of his spouse, his spouse's brothers and their spouses, his spouse's sisters and their spouses, and his spouse's children.

(8) The board shall adopt bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs and for the governance of the board and its officers and employees. The presence of five members shall constitute a quorum. A quorum shall be required for the conduct of all official action by the board. All official action of the board shall require a majority vote of the entire board.

D. For the purpose of selecting nominees for the board members, each of whom shall be appointed by the mayor from the nominees selected by the nominating organization, the following nominating agencies shall be designated as the authority board nominating organization:

(1) New Orleans Chamber of Commerce

(2) University of New Orleans

(3) Xavier University

(4) Dillard University

(5) Tulane University

(6) Alliance for Affordable Energy

(7) New Orleans Business Energy Council

(8) New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau

(9) New Orleans Bar Association

(10) New Orleans Business Council

(11) Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO

E. The nominating organization shall have a nominating council on which shall be seated the presidents or recognized heads of the nominating agencies, or their designees. Nominees to the mayor for appointments to the board shall be selected by the nominating council from among those named by the nominating agencies of the nominating organization.

F.(1)(a) Within ten days after the creation of a public power authority as provided in R.S. 33:4172, the chief executive officer of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce shall send notice of such creation by registered or certified United States mail to each nominating agency.

(b) Within ten days after the occurrence of a vacancy on the board for any cause, the president or other presiding officer of the board shall send notice of the vacancy by registered or certified United States mail to each nominating agency.

(2) Within ten days after receipt of notification of the creation or vacancy, the nominating agency listed in Paragraph (D)(1) of this Section shall submit in writing to the members of the nominating council the names of two persons having the qualifications as provided in Subsection C of this Section as nominees for each such vacancy or vacancies.

(3) Thereafter, the remaining nominating agencies of the nominating organization, in the order in which they are listed in Subsection D of this Section and within intervals of five days each, shall consecutively submit in like manner the names of two nominees for each such vacancy.

G.(1) As soon as the names of the nominees as selected by the nominating agencies have been received, or in any event within ten days after the last delay for the submission of the names of the nominees has expired, the nominating council, at a meeting convened on the written call of any member thereof, shall certify to the mayor for each such vacancy then existing the names of three nominees from among the nominees whose names have been submitted to it by the nominating agencies of the nominating organization, and from among the nominees thus certified, the mayor shall make an appointment or appointments to fill each such vacancy within thirty days of receipt.

(2) If the mayor fails to make an appointment from among the three nominees certified by the nominating council within the allotted time, or fails to make an appointment in accordance with Subsection K of this Section, then the governing authority of the municipality shall make an appointment to fill such vacancy from among the three nominees previously submitted to the mayor within thirty days of the expiration of the time period allotted to the mayor therefor.

H. The nominating agencies listed in Subsection D of this Section shall be understood and construed to be the agencies presently existing and designated by the names listed in Subsection D of this Section or their respective legal successors.

I. If any of the nominating agencies listed in Subsection D of this Section cease to exist or to function, without any legal successor, the nominees to be submitted to the nominating council shall be submitted by the nominating agencies of the nominating organization that continue to exist and function.

J. If the nominating agencies of the nominating organization submit fewer than three names of nominees to the nominating council for any vacancy, the nominating council of the nominating organization shall supply the deficiency or deficiencies to enable it to certify to the mayor the names of three nominees as required by Subsection G of this Section.

K. If the nominating council fails to certify to the mayor the names of three nominees, as required by Subsection G of this Section, within one hundred twenty days after the occurrence of a vacancy on the board, the mayor shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy.

L.(1) The officers of the authority shall be an executive director, deputy executive director, chief financial officer, and general counsel. The board shall elect the executive director who shall appoint, with the consent of the board, the deputy director, chief financial officer, and general counsel. The board shall fix the duties and shall set the salary of each of the officers who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. Subject to applicable civil service rules, the authority's officers shall be in the unclassified service.

(2) The authority may employ all necessary clerks, engineers, and other skilled and unskilled employees necessary and proper for the efficient administration and delivery of electric power and energy and/or gas services to the municipality and its inhabitants, and the operation and maintenance of the authority's electric and gas systems. Except as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, all employees shall be appointed in accordance with applicable civil service rules and regulations.

M. Authorities created pursuant to this Section shall be authorized and empowered:

(1) To finance, acquire, construct, operate, and maintain facilities and to engage in the generation, production, transmission, distribution, and sale, at wholesale or retail, of electric power and energy and gas to serve the municipality and its inhabitants.

(2) To engage in joint undertakings, whether through joint ownership or otherwise, with one or more persons for any activity authorized pursuant to this Section.

(3)(a) To enter into contracts, including take or pay contracts, with any person for the purchase or sale of electric power and energy, gas, steam, or other cogeneration byproducts, or related transmission or distribution services, for the acquisition, construction, administration, management, operation, or maintenance, of any facility or other property of the authority, or for the carrying out of any authorized purposes or powers of the authority, in each case without application of the public contract laws; provided, however, that the public contract laws shall apply to contracts entered into by the authority, acting by itself and not in connection with a joint undertaking, for the construction of facilities which are not then in existence or under construction.

(b) In connection with any contract providing for the delegation by the authority of management responsibility to any other person with respect to any of its facilities or other properties, such contract shall provide such standards as the governing body of the authority shall deem appropriate.

(4) To sell, lease, exchange, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or to grant options with respect to, any real or personal property of the authority or interest therein.

(5) To borrow money and issue revenue bonds of the authority.

(6) To enter upon, use, occupy, and dig up any street, road, or highway or public lands necessary to be entered upon, used, or occupied in connection with the acquisition, construction, or improvement, maintenance, or operation of facilities or properties of the authority to the same extent as, and in accordance with the provisions of law applicable to, the municipality which created the authority.

(7) To exercise the power of expropriation or eminent domain to the same extent as, and in accordance with the provisions of law applicable to, the municipality which created the authority.

(8) To do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes and to exercise the powers granted to the authority herein.

N.(1)(a) An authority may issue from time to time its revenue bonds in such principal amounts as the authority shall deem appropriate to carry out any of its corporate purposes and powers, including, without limitation, provision for working capital and appropriate reserves. Such bonds shall be authorized by resolution or resolutions adopted by the governing body of the authority and may be sold in such manner and for such price, and shall mature at such time or times not exceeding forty years from their dates, as may be determined by the authority.

(b) The bonds may be issued substantially in compliance with Subpart C of Part I of Chapter 10 of this Title or any other laws authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds by municipal corporations, including, but not by way of limitation, Parts XIII and XIV of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II and Chapter 13 of Subtitle III of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, but in each case without the necessity for holding an election or referendum.

(c) The issuance of such bonds shall be subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission but shall not be subject to any other approvals, limitations, or conditions contained in any other law.

(d) For a period of thirty days after the date of publication of the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, any persons in interest may contest the legality of the resolution and the legality of the bond issue for any cause after which time no one shall have any cause or right of action to contest the legality of said resolution or of the bonds authorized thereby for any cause whatsoever. If no suit, action, or proceeding is begun contesting the validity of the bond issue within the thirty days herein prescribed, the authority to issue the bonds and to provide for the payment thereof, and the legality thereof and all of the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters.

(2)(a)(i) In the discretion of the authority, any revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this Section may be secured by a trust agreement by and between an authority and a corporate trustee. Such corporate trustee, and any depository of funds of an authority, may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state.

(ii) The resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust agreement may pledge or assign all or a portion of the revenues, securities, and monies received or to be received by the authority from any source or its rights under any contract, and may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as the authority may deem reasonable or appropriate and shall not violate applicable law, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders.

(iii) The trust agreement or the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such covenants and other provisions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the authority to assure the marketability of the bonds.

(b)(i) Any pledge of revenues, securities, and other monies or contract rights made by the authority pursuant to this Section shall be valid and binding from the date the pledge is made.

(ii) The revenues, securities, and other monies so pledged and then held or thereafter received by the authority or any fiduciary as defined in R.S. 9:3801, and the contract rights so pledged and any proceeds thereof then held or thereafter received by the authority or any fiduciary, shall immediately be subject to the lien of the pledge without physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of the pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the authority without regard to whether such parties have notice thereof.

(iii) The resolution or trust agreement or any financing statement, continuation statement, or other instrument by which a pledge is created need not be filed or recorded in any manner.

(iv) The resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust agreement securing such bonds may provide that any monies pledged thereunder may be invested and reinvested pending disbursement thereof in such securities or other investments as shall be provided for in such resolution or trust agreement and notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary.

(3) Bonds issued under the provisions of this Section shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of any government unit thereof. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the faith and credit of the state nor the faith and credit of any governmental unit of the state are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Section shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the state or any governmental unit of the state to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment.

(4) Bonds issued pursuant to this Section shall be and are hereby declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians. Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all public funds of the state and any and all public funds of municipalities, parishes, school districts, or other political corporations or subdivisions of the state, and such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for said deposits to the extent of their value when accompanied by all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto.

(5) Bonds, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof excepting inheritance or estate taxes.

O. An authority is hereby authorized to fix, charge, and collect rents, rates, fees, and other charges for the output, capacity, or use of any facility of, and for the gas or electric power and energy or services, facilities, and commodities sold, furnished, or supplied by the authority. Such rates, rents, fees, and charges shall be so fixed and shall be revised from time to time so as to provide funds, with other funds available for such purposes, sufficient at all times to pay any and all amounts which the authority may be obligated to pay from said revenues by law or contract and to provide reasonable reserves therefor.

P. The authority may defend, indemnify against loss or liability and save harmless, any of its directors, officers, or employees with respect to any action, suit, proceeding, investigation, or claim as to which the governing body of the authority determines that the director, officer, or employee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the authority, unless the director, officer, or employee is adjudged liable for malfeasance in office or an intentional tort. Such indemnification may include reasonable attorney fees and other expenses actually incurred by the party indemnified, including payment of such fees and expenses in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, proceeding, or investigation upon receipt of an undertaking by the indemnified party to repay the same if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to the indemnification authorized in this Section. The authority shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director, officer, or employee against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in such capacity, whether or not the authority would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.

Q. The ordinance creating the authority may provide for dissolution of the authority upon payment and satisfaction of all of its bonds and other obligations and may provide that title to all funds and other property of the authority remaining at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the municipality which created the authority.

R. The provisions of this Section shall be liberally construed to the end that, through the use of public power authorities created hereunder, greater economy and efficiency in the providing of electric power and energy and/or gas services for the benefit of municipalities and their inhabitants may be achieved.

Acts 1989, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 21, §1, eff. July 28, 1989; Acts 2006, No. 503, §1, eff. June 22, 2006; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 20, §1, eff. June 12, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:130.151 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 130.151
Grant Economic Development District; creation; territorial jurisdiction
Status: in_force

A. The Grant Economic Development District, hereinafter referred to as the district, is hereby constituted and is declared to be a body politic and political subdivision of the state of Louisiana, as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Constitution of Louisiana. Pursuant to Article VI, Sections 19 and 21 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the district, acting through its board of commissioners, the governing authority of said district, is hereby granted all of the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities granted to political subdivisions for industrial, commercial, research, and economic development purposes, including but not limited to the power of taxation, the power to incur debt and issue revenue and general obligation bonds, certificates of indebtedness, bond and certificate anticipation notes, and refunding bonds, subject to the limitations hereinafter provided.

B. The district created pursuant hereto shall be established for the primary object and purpose of promoting and encouraging industrial development to stimulate the economy through commerce, industry, and research and for the utilization and development of natural and human resources of the area by providing job opportunities.

C. The boundaries of the district shall be coterminous with the boundaries of Grant Parish.

Acts 1988, No. 633, §1, eff. July 14, 1988.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1988, NO. 633, §2.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4305 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4305
Domicile; meetings; officers; bonds; depositories; compensation; rate fixing
Status: in_force

A. The governing authority having jurisdiction to name the members of the board of commissioners of the gas utility district shall designate the domicile of the district, at which domicile it may be sued and service may be made on its president or in his absence upon a vice-president or the secretary. The governing authority in the resolution appointing the members of such board shall at the same time designate the time and place for the first meeting of the board of commissioners. At such meeting the said commissioners shall proceed to organize by electing one of their number as president and another as vice-president. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer or a combined secretary-treasurer, who may but need not be a member of the board and who shall serve during the pleasure of the board. The board shall have authority to adopt such rules and by-laws for its meetings and the orderly conduct of its business as it may see fit, may require such surety bonds to be supplied by its officers and employees as it considers desirable, and shall generally in the conduct of its affairs and in the acquisition and operation of its utility properties enjoy the powers ordinarily enjoyed by the board of directors of a private corporation operating similar properties. The board of commissioners may select one or more banks in the state of Louisiana and within or without the boundaries of the district to act as depository for the moneys of such district and may require such security for money deposited therein as it may deem fit.

B.(1) No member of the board of commissioners shall receive a salary for the performance of his duties as a member. Each member may receive a per diem for each meeting attended, up to twenty-five meetings per year. The board shall fix the amount of the per diem in an amount not to exceed seventy-five dollars. A member may be reimbursed for all proper expenses incurred in carrying on the business of the district. The board may fix reasonable additional compensation, commensurate with the additional duties performed, for a member who serves as secretary or treasurer or secretary-treasurer of the board.

(2) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Subsection or of any other provision of law, in the parish of East Baton Rouge, no member of the board of commissioners shall be paid a salary for his services, but may be paid a fee of up to fifty dollars for each meeting he attends as determined by the board, for not in excess of twenty-four regular and twelve special meetings in each year, and shall be entitled to reimbursement for all expenditures which he incurs in carrying on the business of the district. The meeting fee may be adjusted once annually to reflect the change in the valuation of the dollar; however, the total fee shall not exceed fifty dollars per meeting. The chief executive officer of the board, president or chairman, the vice president or vice chairman when he serves as chief executive officer, the secretary, the treasurer, or the secretary-treasurer may receive such reasonable additional compensation for administrative services as is commensurate with the duties to be performed.

(3) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Subsection or of any other provision of law, no member of the board of commissioners of Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 shall receive a salary for the performance of his duties as a member. Each member may receive a per diem for each meeting attended, up to fifty meetings per year, and for each day devoted to the business of the district. The board shall fix the amount of the per diem in an amount not to exceed seventy-five dollars per day. A member may be reimbursed for all proper expenses incurred in carrying out the business of the district. The board may fix reasonable additional compensation, commensurate with the additional duties performed, for a member who serves as secretary or treasurer or secretary-treasurer of the board.

(4) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Subsection or of any other provision of law, no member of the board of commissioners of Washington Parish Gas Utility District No. 2 shall receive a salary for the performance of his duties as a member. Each member may receive a per diem for each meeting attended, and for each day devoted to the business of the district. The board shall fix the amount of the per diem in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars per day. A member may be reimbursed for all proper expenses incurred in carrying out the business of the district. The board may fix reasonable additional compensation, commensurate with the additional duties performed, for a member who serves as secretary or treasurer or secretary-treasurer of the board.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no member of the board of commissioners of any gas utility district located in a parish with a population of not less than twenty thousand persons and not more than twenty thousand five hundred persons according to the latest federal decennial census shall receive a salary for the performance of his duties as a member. Each member may receive a per diem for each meeting attended, up to twenty-five meetings per year. The board shall fix the amount of the per diem in an amount not to exceed one hundred twenty dollars. A member may be reimbursed for all proper expenses incurred in carrying on the business of the district. The board may fix reasonable additional compensation, commensurate with the additional duties performed, for a member who serves as secretary or treasurer or secretary-treasurer of the board.

(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no member of the board of commissioners of any gas utility district located in East Feliciana Parish shall receive a salary for the performance of his duties as a member. Each member may receive a per diem for each meeting attended, up to twenty-four regular and two special meetings per year. The board shall fix the amount of the per diem in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars per day. A member may be reimbursed for all proper expenses incurred in carrying on the business of the district. The board may fix reasonable additional compensation, commensurate with the additional duties performed, for a member who serves as secretary or treasurer or secretary-treasurer of the board.

C. The board of commissioners shall have the right and power to fix the rates and charges at which it will supply gas distributed by the district and such rates and charges shall not be subject to review or change by any other agency or instrumentality of the state of Louisiana or of any political subdivision therein.

Acts 1960, No. 415, §5. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 473, §1; Acts 1978, No. 297, §1; Acts 1982, No. 588, §1; Acts 1992, No. 163, §1; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 20, §1, eff. June 12, 2011; Acts 2014, No. 457, §1, eff. June 4, 2014; Acts 2016, No. 356, §1; Acts 2025, No. 134, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4720.181 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4720.181
New Iberia Redevelopment Authority
Status: in_force

A. This Chapter may be referred to as the "New Iberia Redevelopment Law".

B. It is hereby found and declared that:

(1) There exist in the city of New Iberia areas which have become slums, blighted, and distressed because of the unsafe, unsanitary, inadequate, or overcrowded condition of the structures therein, or because of inadequate planning for the area, or because of physically or functionally obsolete structures, or because of excessive dwelling unit density, or because of the lack of proper light and air and open space, or because of faulty street or lot design, or inadequate public utilities, or community services, or because of failure to adequately maintain and repair structures, or because of the conversion to incompatible types of land usage, or because of environmental conditions and circumstances. Such conditions or a combination of some or all of them have and will continue to result in making such areas economic and social liabilities.

(2) The prevention and elimination of slum, blighted, and distressed properties are matters of public policy and concern, as such areas tend to consume a disproportionate amount of city revenues because of the extra services required for police, fire, accident, and other forms of public protection, services, and facilities.

(3) The salvage, renewal, redevelopment, and reconstruction of such slum, blighted, and distressed areas will promote the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.

(4) The powers conferred by this Chapter are for public uses, purposes, welfare, and utility for which public money may be expended as necessary and in the public's interest. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial, or other purposes and otherwise to encourage the provision of healthful homes, safe neighborhoods, a decent living environment, and adequate places of employment for the people. Such purposes are hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

(5) The object of this Chapter is to provide for the following:

(a) The general and economic welfare of the city through housing, commercial, office, hospitality, recreation, education, infrastructure and utility capacity, manufacturing, industrial, research, retail, or other activities which will create or retain jobs, maintain or diversify industry, including new or emerging technologies, or maintain or increase the tax base.

(b) The improvement of conditions of deteriorated physical development, slow economic growth, and eroded financial health of the public and private sectors.

(c) The control, abatement, and prevention of pollution to protect public health and safety and the development and use of indigenous and renewable energy resources.

(d) Assistance to nonprofit and governmental entities in support of health, educational, charitable, community, cultural, agricultural, consumer, or other services benefiting the citizens.

C.(1) There is hereby created in the city of New Iberia a body politic and corporate which shall exist in perpetuity and shall be known as the New Iberia Redevelopment Authority, referred to in this Chapter as the "authority".

(2) The authority shall be a special district created pursuant to Article VI, Section 19 of the Constitution of Louisiana and political subdivision of the state as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Constitution of Louisiana. The authority, acting through its governing board, is hereby granted all of the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities accorded by the laws and the Constitution of Louisiana to political subdivisions of the state, subject to the limitations provided in this Chapter.

D. The authority, for the purposes of this Chapter, may within its jurisdiction formulate a workable program or programs for using appropriate private and public resources to eliminate and prevent the development or spread of slums and blight, to encourage needed rehabilitation, and to provide for the redevelopment of slum or blighted areas, or to undertake other feasible parochial activities as may be suitably employed to achieve the objectives of such workable program.

E. The authority, to the greatest extent it determines to be feasible in carrying out the provisions of this Chapter, shall seek out cooperative endeavors, including partnerships, joint ventures, and equity participation structures, with nonprofit organizations and private enterprise. The authority shall give consideration to this objective in exercising the powers granted pursuant to this Chapter.

F.(1) The New Iberia Redevelopment Authority shall be comprised of all of the territory located within the city of New Iberia.

(2) The authority shall be activated and implemented by the governing authority recognizing and confirming the appointment of the initial seven members of the board.

G.(1) The New Iberia Redevelopment Authority shall be governed by a board of commissioners, referred to in this Chapter as the "board", consisting of seven members appointed as follows:

(a) One member representing the West End Council of Neighborhood Associations appointed by the governing board of such organization.

(b) One member representing the West End Business Association appointed by the governing board of such organization.

(c) One member shall be appointed by the governing board of the Hopkins Street Economic Development District.

(d) One member shall be appointed by the governing board of Southern Mutual Help Association, Inc.

(e) Two members appointed by the mayor of New Iberia.

(f) One member appointed by the governing board of the Iberia Economic Development Authority.

(2) All appointments shall be confirmed by the governing authority of the city of New Iberia.

(3) Each appointing authority shall present its initial appointee to the city governing authority no later than December 31, 2009. Such presentations by the appointing authorities shall be in writing, shall be made at an official and open meeting of the city governing authority, and shall include information sufficient to allow the governing authority to assess the qualifications and fitness of the appointee for his intended duties. Upon receipt of such presentation, the city governing authority shall have the right to confirm or reject said appointment. Such confirmation or rejection shall be made in the manner and under the procedure prescribed by the governing authority. Regardless of the manner and procedure so employed, if the governing authority does not reject an appointment within sixty days after the presentation required by this Paragraph, then the appointment shall be deemed confirmed.

(4) Each board member shall be a citizen of the United States, a domiciliary of and a qualified voter in the city of New Iberia for at least one year preceding the date of appointment, and shall remain a domiciliary of and a qualified voter of such jurisdiction during the entirety of the term of office. Furthermore, each board member shall be of good character and shall possess some skill, knowledge, or experience that will prove useful in the accomplishment of the goals of the authority as set forth in Subsection B of this Section.

(5) Each board member shall serve for a term of four years unless removed for cause by the board as provided in this Chapter or removed for any reason by authorized action of the appointing authority. Initial terms shall be established in the bylaws of the authority.

(6) The board shall establish rules and requirements relative to the attendance and participation of members in its meetings, regular or special. Such rules and regulations may prescribe a procedure whereby, should any member fail to comply with such rules and regulations, the member may be disqualified and removed automatically from office by no less than a majority vote of the remaining members of the board, and that member's position shall be vacant as of the first day of the next calendar month. Any person removed under the provisions of this Paragraph shall be ineligible for reappointment to the board unless such reappointment is confirmed unanimously by the board.

(7) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. In such cases a majority of the remaining board members may appoint an interim member to serve until a new member is confirmed.

(8) Board members shall serve without compensation, shall have the power to organize and reorganize the executive, administrative, clerical, and other departments and forces of the authority and to fix the duties, powers, and compensation of all employees, agents, and consultants of the authority. The board may reimburse any member for expenses actually incurred in the performance of duties on behalf of the authority.

(9) The board shall elect yearly from its number a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer and shall establish their duties as may be regulated by rules adopted by the board. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person. The board may meet in regular session once each month and also shall meet in special session as convened by the chairman or upon written notice signed by three members. A majority of the members of the board, not including vacancies, shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.

(10) All actions of the board shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board present and voting; however, no action of the board shall be authorized on the following matters unless approved by a majority of the total board membership:

(a) Adoption of bylaws and other rules and regulations for conduct of the authority's business.

(b) Hiring or firing of any employee or contractor of the authority. This function may by majority vote be delegated by the board to a specified officer or committee of the authority, under such terms and conditions and to the extent that the board may specify.

(c) The incurring of debt.

(d) Levy of taxes and call for any tax or other election.

(e) Adoption or amendment of the annual budget.

(f) Sale, lease, encumbrance, or alienation of real property, improvements, or personal property with an assessed value of more than twenty thousand dollars.

(11) Vote by proxy shall not be permitted. Any member may request a recorded vote on any resolution or action of the authority.

(12) The board shall cause minutes and a record to be kept of all its proceedings. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph, the authority shall be subject to the Public Records Law (Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950), the Open Meetings Law (R.S. 42:11 et seq.), and the Code of Governmental Ethics (Chapter 15 of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950). Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 42:14, until thirty days prior to the date the board is scheduled to consummate a final sale or lease of any immovable property owned by the authority, the board may meet in executive session to discuss negotiations between the authority and any prospective seller, purchaser, lessor, or lessee of that property. R.S. 44:31 through 35 shall not apply to any records related to the negotiations of or to the terms of such a sale or lease until thirty days prior to the date the board is scheduled to consummate a final sale or lease. The board shall give written public notice of its intention to consummate a final sale or lease at least thirty days prior to the date on which the board intends to take such action. This notice shall comply with the procedural provisions of R.S. 42:19.

H. The authority, through the board, shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Chapter, including but not limited to the following:

(1) To sue and be sued and as such to stand in judgment.

(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(3) To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, lease, or otherwise and to hold and use any property, real, personal, mixed, tangible, or intangible, or any interest therein and to engage in any action, such as the purchase of insurance, necessary or desirable for the maintenance or improvement of such property. The authority shall not have any power to expropriate, except that power which is granted by the appropriate governing authority.

(4)(a) To sell, lease for a term of up to ninety-nine years, exchange, or otherwise dispose of or transfer to or with other political subdivisions of this state or public or private persons at public or private sale any residential, commercial, industrial, or subdivision land, property, improvements, or portions thereof, including real property.

(b) Prior to any sale, lease, conveyance, disposition, or transfer of property pursuant to this Paragraph, the authority shall fix the price and terms of the sale, lease, exchange, or other contract to be made with reference to the property. Such sale, lease, conveyance, disposition, or transfer shall comply with the terms and provisions of this Chapter.

(c) Any sale of industrial land as defined by Chapter 8 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes and the statutes referenced therein shall be in accordance with laws providing for the disposition or transfer of such land.

(d) Other than the requirements of this Chapter, no other law limiting or regulating the form or manner of the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition, or transfer of property by public bodies, including without limitation R.S. 41:1338, shall apply to the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition, or transfer of property by the authority. All such sales, leases, conveyance, dispositions, or transfers of property remain subject to the limitations imposed by the Constitution of Louisiana.

(5) To convey to the United States, the state, or to any political subdivision of the state any land, property, right-of-way, easement, servitude, or other thing of value which the authority may own or acquire for use by such governmental entity pursuant to the terms of any appropriate cooperative endeavor agreement.

(6) To make and collect reasonable charges for the use of property of the authority and for services rendered by the authority and to regulate fees or rentals charged for use of privately owned facilities located on property owned or sold by the authority when such facilities are offered for use by the public or by a private industrial, commercial, research, or other economic development entity or activity.

(7) To enter into contracts and agreements with public bodies or public or private entities, including but not limited to contracts for professional, legal, and other services and for the purchase, lease, acquisition, sale, construction, operation, maintenance, marketing, and improvement of land, public works, and facilities.

(8) To plan, develop, regulate, operate, and maintain activities and planned land uses to foster creation of new jobs, economic development, industry, health care, general public and social welfare, commerce, manufacturing, tourism, relocation of people and businesses to the area, shipbuilding, aviation, military, warehousing, transportation, offices, recreation, housing development, and conservation.

(9) To make decisions and conduct all activities to meet the triple bottom line development objectives of equity, economics, and environment.

(10) To acquire land and improvements to construct, operate, and maintain facilities, improvements, and infrastructure, including buildings, roads, bridges, drainage, and utilities, and to perform other functions and activities on property owned or leased by the authority to accomplish the objectives and purposes of the authority. However, the authority is prohibited from constructing, operating, or maintaining any water, electric, or gas utility facilities which duplicate, curtail, impair, or directly compete with a regulated water, electric, or gas utility facility operating in or adjacent to the property owned or leased by the authority.

(11) To require and issue licenses.

(12) To levy annually and cause to be collected ad valorem taxes, provided that the amount, term, and purpose of such taxes, as set out in propositions submitted to a vote in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code, shall be approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the city voting in an election held for that purpose.

(13)(a) To levy and collect sales and use taxes within the boundaries of the authority for such purposes and at such rate as provided by the propositions authorizing their levy, not to exceed in aggregate one percent, which taxes may not exceed the limitation set forth in the Constitution of Louisiana, provided the proposition submitted to a vote in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code shall be approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the city voting in an election held for that purpose. In submitting a sales tax proposition to a vote, the board may enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the city governing authority providing for the sales tax to be divided into parts between the city and the authority for such purposes and in such amounts as may be set forth in the proposition.

(b) The tax shall be levied upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, the distribution, and storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property, and upon the sales of services within the city, all as defined in R.S. 47:301 et seq.

(c) Except where inapplicable, the procedure established by R.S. 47:301 et seq. shall be followed in the imposition, collection, and enforcement of the tax, and procedural details necessary to supplement those Sections and to make them applicable to the tax herein authorized shall be fixed in the resolution imposing the tax.

(d) The tax shall be imposed and collected uniformly throughout the city.

(e) Any tax levied under this Paragraph shall be in addition to all other taxes which the city or any other political subdivision within the city is now or hereafter authorized to levy and collect.

(14) To develop, activate, construct, exchange, acquire, improve, repair, operate, maintain, lease, mortgage, sell, and grant a security device affecting the movable and immovable property, servitudes, facilities, and works within the city under such terms and conditions as the board may deem necessary or appropriate for any public purpose, including industrial, residential, subdivision, and commercial development.

(15) To borrow money and to pledge or grant a security device affecting all or part of its revenues, leases, rents, and other advantages as security for such loans.

(16) To appoint officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.

(17) To undertake and carry out redevelopment projects and related activities.

(18) To apply for and accept advances, leases, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the federal government, the state, parish, or other public bodies, or from any sources, public or private, for the purposes of this Chapter, and to give such security as may be required and to enter into and carry out contracts or agreements in connection therewith, and to include in any contract for financial assistance with the federal government such conditions imposed pursuant to federal laws as the board may deem reasonable and appropriate and which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter.

(19) To make or have made all surveys and plans necessary to the carrying out of the purposes of this Chapter and to adopt or approve, modify, and amend such plans, which plans may include but are not limited to:

(a) Plans for carrying out a program of voluntary or compulsory repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements.

(b) Plans for the enforcement of state and local laws, codes, and regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements.

(c) Appraisals, title searches, surveys, studies, and other plans and work necessary to prepare for the undertaking of redevelopment projects and related activities.

(20) To develop, test, and report methods and techniques and carry out demonstrations and other activities for the prevention and the elimination of slums and urban blight, including developing and demonstrating new or improved means of providing housing or continuing care, assisted living, or independent living or other similar type housing for elderly or retired persons or other persons desiring such housing facilities.

(21) To make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, orders, rules, and regulations in order to effectuate the provisions of this Chapter.

(22) To exercise all or any part or combination of powers herein granted by this Chapter.

(23) The authority shall not be deemed to be an instrumentality of the state for purposes of Article X, Section 1(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana.

I.(1) The authority may incur debt and issue general obligation bonds under the authority of and subject to the provisions of Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and Subpart A of Part III of Chapter 4 of Subtitle II of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, for the acquisition and operation of authority property or to carry out the other public purposes of this Chapter, and to issue any other bonds permitted by law, borrow money, and issue certificates of indebtedness, notes, and other debt obligations as evidence thereof and provide for the manner and method of repayment in accordance with law.

(2) The authority may issue revenue bonds to finance the undertaking of a redevelopment project under this Chapter, or otherwise to acquire, purchase, lease, construct, or improve housing, residential development, subdivision development, commercial, research, industrial, or other plant sites and buildings, or other capital improvements authorized in this Chapter, including energy and pollution abatement and control facilities and necessary property and appurtenances thereto; and may sell, lease, sublease, or otherwise dispose of by suitable and appropriate contract to any enterprise locating or existing within the jurisdiction of the authority such sites, buildings, or facilities and appurtenances thereto, all or severally. The funds derived from the sale of such bonds may be disbursed in whole or in part upon delivery of the bonds as shall be provided in the contract between the authority and the residential, commercial, research, industrial, or other enterprise to be aided, encouraged, or benefited subject to the requirements of this Chapter.

(3) The issuing authority may enter into, amend, or terminate, as it determines to be necessary or appropriate, any ancillary contracts to do either of the following:

(a) Facilitate the issuance, sale, resale, purchase, repurchase, or payments of bonds, including without limitation bond insurance, letters of credit, and liquidity facilities.

(b) Attempt to hedge risk or achieve a desirable effective interest rate or cash flow, all subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission.

(4) Bonds issued under Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be authorized by resolution of the board and shall be limited obligations of the issuing authority; the principal and interest, costs of issuance, and other costs incidental thereto shall be payable solely from the income and revenue derived from the sale, lease, or other disposition of the project or facility to be financed by the bonds issued under this Subsection, or from the income and revenue derived from the sale, lease, or other disposition of any existing project or facility acquired, constructed, and improved under the provision of this Subsection, or from any source available for such purpose. However, in the discretion of the issuing authority, the bonds may be additionally secured by mortgage or other security device covering all or part of the project from which the revenues so pledged may be derived. Any refunding bonds issued pursuant to this Subsection shall be payable from any source described above or from the investment of any of the proceeds of the refunding bonds authorized under this Subsection and shall not constitute an indebtedness or pledge of the general credit of the city, as appropriate, or the authority within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation of indebtedness and shall contain a recital to that effect. Bonds of the authority issued under this Subsection shall be issued in such form, shall be in such denominations, shall bear interest, shall mature in such manner, and be executed by one or more members of the board as provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance thereof. Such bonds may be subject to redemption at the option of and in the manner determined by the board in the resolution authorizing the issuance thereof.

(5) No bonds or other evidences of indebtedness may be issued under this Subsection without the prior approval of the State Bond Commission of the terms and provisions thereof.

(6) Bonds issued under this Subsection shall be issued, sold, and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of a resolution adopted by the board. The board may sell such bonds in such manner, either at public or at private sale, and for such price as it may determine to be in the best interests of the authority, subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission. The resolution issuing bonds shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of the authority, and for a period of thirty days after said publication, any interested citizen may bring an action to contest the bonds and the security therefor, as provided in the Constitution of Louisiana. If, after the expiration of thirty days, no suit has been filed, the issuance, sale, and security of the bonds shall be incontestable, and no court shall have authority to entertain any action questioning or contesting such matters.

(7) Bonds issued by the authority under this Chapter are deemed to be securities of public entities within the meaning of Chapters 13 and 13-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, and shall be subject to defeasance in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, shall be subject to the refunding provisions of Chapter 14-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, and may also be issued as short-term revenue notes of a public entity under Chapter 15-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

(8) No bonds, other debt obligations, or contracts of the authority shall be a charge upon the income, property, or revenue of the city, nor shall any obligations of the authority be the obligations of the city.

(9) Any bonds issued by the authority shall be subject to the Bond Validation Law (R.S. 13:5121), pursuant to which the issuance of the bonds may be submitted to the courts for validation.

J.(1) The exercise by the board of the powers conferred by virtue of this Chapter shall be deemed and held to be an essential governmental function of the state and parish. As the exercise of the powers granted by this Chapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state and city, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes, including but not limited to sales and use taxes, ad valorem, occupational licensing, income, or any other taxes of any kind or nature, or fees or assessments upon any property held, acquired, or used by the authority under the provisions of this Chapter, or upon the income therefrom. Any bonds, certificates, or other evidences of indebtedness issued by the authority and the income therefrom shall be exempt from taxation by the state and by any parish, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state. The authority shall not be deemed to be a public utility and shall not be subject in any respect to the authority, control, regulation, or supervision of the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

(2) All property of the authority, including funds owned or held by it for the purpose of this Chapter, shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution, and no execution or other judicial process shall issue against the same, nor shall judgment against the city or authority be a charge or lien upon such property; however, the provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to or limit the right of obligees to pursue any remedies for the enforcement of any pledge or lien given pursuant to this Chapter by the authority on its rents, fees, grants, or revenues.

K.(1) The authority may purchase adjudicated properties within its territorial jurisdiction from any political subdivision of the state of Louisiana. No such purchase shall be construed to or otherwise have the effect of extending or suspending the period prescribed by law for the redemption of the property by the tax debtor or any other person.

(2) In addition to the authority set forth in Subpart B of Part IV of Chapter 5 of Subtitle III of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, such purchases by the authority may be by a direct negotiated purchase and sale agreement between the authority and a political subdivision without any other requirement of a public sale prior to the transfer of such properties to the authority. Such purchases by the authority shall not be considered the sale of surplus property or of property owned by the political subdivision.

(3) Effective upon the recordation of the transfer of an adjudicated property to the authority pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement, the rights of the authority in and to such property shall be the rights of a purchaser at a tax sale as contemplated by Chapter 5 of Subtitle III of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, subject only to the rights of redemption of the property set forth in Article VII, Section 25(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, and the property shall no longer be deemed to be adjudicated property as of such recordation. For purposes of the right of redemption in Article VII, Section 25(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the three-year period commences on the date of the recordation of the initial adjudication to the political subdivision and not on the date of transfer to the authority.

(4) Any such purchase and sale agreement shall set forth the total consideration to be paid by the authority and the method and timing of payment of such consideration by the authority.

(5) The state and any political subdivision with liens on the property may, pursuant to intergovernmental agreements with the authority, cancel such liens contemporaneously with or subject to the transfer of the property to the authority.

(6)(a) The authority shall have the right, subject to the provisions of this Section, to purchase properties at tax sales conducted in accordance with Part III of Chapter 5 of Subtitle III of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, and any and all such purchases shall be a purchase pursuant to those provisions and not an adjudication to a political subdivision.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 5 of Subtitle III of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, the authority may tender a bid at a tax sale which is a credit bid, consisting of the obligation of the authority to satisfy the component parts of the bid by payments to the respective political subdivisions and taxing entities in accordance with intergovernmental agreements between the authority and such political subdivisions and taxing entities.

(c) A bid by the authority at a tax sale for the minimum amount shall take priority over all other bids for the same quantity of property, except for a higher bid submitted by a conventional mortgage holder holding a mortgage on the subject property.

L.(1) The authority shall have the power to create and execute redevelopment or development plans for specified areas within its territorial jurisdiction. The implementation of all such plans shall not proceed until, to the extent required by law, the authority has obtained the approval of the local planning commission or zoning board. In the execution of such a redevelopment plan, the authority shall have the powers provided in this Subsection. The fact that a certain power is expressed or implied in this Paragraph as pertinent to the authority's execution of a redevelopment plan shall not suggest or imply that such power is otherwise denied to the authority.

(2) A redevelopment plan shall include a definition of the redevelopment area. This area, or any part thereof, may be further designated as a subdistrict of the authority.

(3) The authority may sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise transfer immovable property or any interest therein acquired by it for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial, or other uses or for public use, subject to such covenants, conditions, and restrictions, including covenants running with the land, as it may deem to be necessary or desirable to assist in carrying out the purposes of this Chapter. The purchasers or lessees and their successors and assigns shall be obligated to devote such immovable property only to the uses as the authority may determine to be in the public interest, including the obligation to begin within a reasonable time any improvements on such immovable property. Such immovable property or interest shall be sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise transferred at not less than its fair value for uses in accordance with the redevelopment or development plan. In determining the fair value of immovable property for uses in accordance with the redevelopment or development plans, the authority shall take into account and give consideration to the use provided in such plan; the restrictions upon and the covenants, conditions, and obligations assumed by the purchaser or lessee; and the objectives of such plan. The authority, in any instrument of conveyance to a private purchaser or lessee, may provide that such purchaser or lessee shall be without power to sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise transfer the immovable property without the prior written consent of the authority until such purchaser or lessee has completed the construction of any and all improvements which he has obligated himself to construct thereon. Immovable property acquired in accordance with the provisions of the plan shall be transferred as rapidly as feasible in the public interest, consistent with the carrying out of the provisions of the project plan. Such plan and any substantial modification of such plan shall be filed as a public record in the office of the clerk of the city, and any conveyances, encumbrances, or other contracts may incorporate the provisions thereof by reference which shall afford notice thereof to all parties.

(4) The authority may dispose of, sell, exchange, or lease immovable property in a redevelopment area to any private person for the fair market value of the property as determined by a certified and competent appraiser, or to any private person pursuant to reasonable competitive bidding procedures as it shall prescribe subject to the provisions set forth in this Paragraph. Such reasonable bidding procedures must include public notice, by publication once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the community, inviting proposals from and making available all pertinent information to private redevelopers or any persons interested in undertaking to redevelop or rehabilitate a redevelopment area or any part thereof. Such notice shall identify the area, or portion thereof, and shall state that proposals shall be made by those in interest within thirty days after publication of such notice, and that such further information as is available may be obtained at such office as shall be designated in the notice. The board shall consider all such redevelopment or rehabilitation proposals and the financial and legal ability of the persons making such proposals to carry them out, and may negotiate with any persons for proposals for the purchase, lease, or other transfer of any immovable property acquired by the authority in the redevelopment area. The board may accept such proposal as it deems to be in the public interest and in furtherance of the purposes of this Chapter. Such notice, and all contracts to sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise transfer immovable property under the provisions of this Chapter, shall be a public record and shall include the name of the redeveloper or purchaser, together with the names of its officers and principal members or shareholders and investors and other interested parties, the redeveloper's estimate of the cost of any residential development and rehabilitations, and the redeveloper's estimate of rentals and sales prices of any proposed housing involved in such redevelopment and rehabilitation. Thereafter, the board may execute such contract in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and deliver acts of sale, leases, and other instruments and take all steps necessary to effectuate such contract.

(5) The authority may temporarily operate, maintain, or lease real property acquired by it in a redevelopment area for or in connection with a redevelopment project pending disposition of the property as authorized in this Chapter for such uses and purposes as may be deemed desirable even though not in connection with the redevelopment plan.

(6) Any real property within a redevelopment area acquired pursuant to Subsection K of this Section may be disposed of without regard to the other provisions of this Chapter. Real property acquired in accordance with the redevelopment plan may be disposed of to a public body for public reuse without regard to the provisions of this Subsection.

(7) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter where an area in the city is designated as a redevelopment area under the Federal Area Redevelopment Act (Public Law 87-27), or any Act supplementary thereto, land in a redevelopment project area designated under the redevelopment plan for industrial or commercial uses may be disposed of to any public body or nonprofit corporation for subsequent disposition as promptly as practical by the public body or corporation for redevelopment in accordance with the redevelopment plan, and only the purchaser from or lessee of the public body or corporation, and their assignees, shall be required to assume the obligation of beginning the building of improvements within a reasonable time. Any disposition of land to a public body or corporation under this Paragraph shall be at its fair value for uses in accordance with the redevelopment plan.

M.(1) The authority may, in the implementation of a redevelopment plan, create one or more subdistricts to conduct, oversee, or assist in the implementation of such redevelopment plan. The boundaries of such a subdistrict may include all or part of the redevelopment area. Such a subdistrict shall have and exercise such powers and responsibilities as the authority shall specify in the enabling resolution. The full extent of such powers and responsibilities may include such powers as the authority itself may exercise, and such other powers as are given to the subdistrict by this Paragraph or any other law, but any exercise of such powers by the subdistrict shall be confined solely to the geographical limits of the subdistrict. Such a subdistrict may be established to exist at the pleasure of the authority, or for any period of time, or until the happening of any occurrence or occurrences that the authority may specify.

(2) The creation of a subdistrict shall in no instance result in the detachment, severance, or loss of any power or responsibility granted to the authority by this Chapter, and within the confines of any subdistrict, the authority shall have full jurisdiction, concurrent with that of the subdistrict, to exercise said powers and responsibilities. The fact that a certain power is expressed or implied in this Paragraph as pertinent to a subdistrict's conduct, overseeing, or assistance in the implementation of the redevelopment plan shall not suggest or imply that such power is otherwise denied to the authority; however, the authority and its subdistricts shall not, collectively, have any greater power to tax than that granted, in the first instance, to the authority alone.

(3) Unless otherwise specified in the resolution or other formal act creating the subdistrict, the board members of the authority shall constitute the governing authority of the subdistrict.

(4) Unless otherwise specified in the resolution or other formal act creating the subdistrict, the subdistrict shall be a distinct and separate juridical entity, and the rights, interests, and liabilities of the subdistrict shall not under any circumstances be considered those of the authority.

(5)(a) In addition to the other powers it may be granted, a subdistrict may enjoy, within its geographical boundaries, the powers of tax increment financing, the issuance of revenue bonds, and those other powers that may be exercised by an economic development district created by a local governmental subdivision pursuant to R.S. 33:9038.32; however, the subdistrict shall remain subject to all limitations and reservations applicable to the powers of the authority.

(b) Prior to the dedication of any state sales tax increments to be used for an authorized purpose of a subdistrict, the secretary of Louisiana Economic Development shall submit the proposal to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget for approval. The submittal shall also include a written evaluation and determination by the department, with input from and certification by the Department of Revenue, of the anticipated increase in state sales tax revenues to be collected within the state over state sales tax revenues that were collected within the state in the year immediately prior to the year in which the proposal is submitted to the committee that would be a direct result of the proposal. In addition, any cooperative endeavor agreement or other agreement providing for the expenditure of funds collected by the state as state sales tax increments and dedicated to a project or for the payment of revenue bonds therefor shall be subject to approval by the State Bond Commission prior to execution by the state.

N. All banks, trust companies, bankers, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking or investment business; all insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business; and all executors, administrators, curators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, monies, or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds or other obligations issued by the authority pursuant to this Chapter. Bonds and other obligations shall be authorized security for all public deposits. It is the purpose of this Subsection to authorize any public or private persons, political subdivisions, and officers, public or private, to use any funds owned or controlled by them for the purchase of any bonds or other obligations. Nothing contained in this Subsection with regard to legal investments shall be construed as relieving any persons of any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities.

O. For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of a redevelopment or development project and related activities authorized by this Chapter, any public body may, upon such terms, with or without consideration as it may determine:

(1) Dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its interest in any property or grant easements, licenses, or other rights or privileges therein to the authority.

(2) Incur the entire expense of any public improvements made by such public body.

(3) Do any and all things necessary to aid or cooperate in the planning or carrying out of a redevelopment plan and related activities.

(4) Lend, grant, or contribute funds to the authority in accordance with an appropriate cooperative endeavor agreement and borrow money and apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the federal government, the state, parish, or other public body, or from any other source.

(5) Enter into agreements which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary, with the federal government or other public body respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by this Chapter, including the furnishing of funds or other assistance in connection with a redevelopment project and related activities.

(6) Cause public buildings and public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer, or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake to be furnished; furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan, or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways, or other places; plan or replan, zone or rezone, or make exceptions from building regulations.

P. Any instrument executed, in proper form and with proper certification of authority, by the authority purporting to convey any right, title, or interest in any property under this Chapter shall be conclusively presumed to have been executed in compliance with provisions of this Chapter insofar as title or other interest of any bona fide purchasers, lessees, or transferees of the property is concerned.

Q. As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed to them.

(1) "Bonds" means any bonds, notes, interim certificates, certificates of indebtedness, debenture, or other obligation.

(2) "Federal government" means any department, agency, or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America.

(3) "Owners of a property interest" means anyone with a corporeal or incorporeal interest in immovable property filed for record in the conveyance records or mortgage records of the clerk of court and ex officio recorder of mortgages for the parish of Iberia where the property is located, including a naked owner, a usufructuary, a mortgagee, a judgment creditor, or a holder of a personal or predial servitude.

(4) "Public body" means the state and any parish and any board, authority, agency, district, subdivision, department, or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the state or any parish.

(5) "Real property" or "immovable property" means any and all right, title, and interest in a tract of land, including its component parts and liens by way of judgment, mortgage, or otherwise.

R. Insofar as the provisions of this Chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, the provisions of this Chapter shall be controlling; however, the authority shall be subject to the provisions of the Local Government Fair Competition Act, R.S. 45:844.41 et seq. The authority conferred by this Chapter shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.

S.(1) In addition to other powers granted to the authority pursuant to this Chapter, the authority may initiate an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action under this Subsection to quiet title to immovable property held by the authority, interests in property purchased by the authority at tax sales, or in formerly adjudicated properties acquired by the authority from a political subdivision, by recording with the conveyance records of the clerk of court and ex officio recorder of mortgages a notice of pending expedited quiet title and foreclosure action. The notice shall include a legal description of the property; the street address of the property if available; the name, address, and telephone number of the authority; a statement that the property is subject to expedited quiet title proceedings and foreclosure under this Subsection; and a statement that any legal interests in the property may be extinguished by a district court order vesting title to the property in the authority. The right of redemption from tax sales in Article VII, Section 25(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana shall be terminated by these proceedings only if the time period for expiration of the right of redemption has expired. If a notice is recorded in error, the authority may correct the error by recording a certificate of correction with the register of conveyances. A notice or certificate under this Subsection need not be notarized and may be authenticated by a digital signature or other electronic means. If the authority has reason to believe that a property subject to an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action under this Subsection may be the site of environmental contamination, the authority shall provide the Department of Environmental Quality with any information in the possession of the authority that suggests the property may be the site of environmental contamination.

(2) After recording the notice under Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the authority shall initiate a search of records identified in this Paragraph to identify the owners of a property interest in the property who are entitled to notice of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under this Subsection. The authority may enter into a contract with or may request from one or more authorized representatives a title search or other title product to identify the owners of a property interest in the property as required under this Paragraph or to perform the other functions set forth in this Subsection required for the quieting of title to property. The owner of a property interest is entitled to notice under this Subsection if that owner's interest was identifiable by reference to any of the following sources before the date that the authority records the notice under Paragraph (1) of this Subsection:

(a) Land title records in the office of the recorder of mortgages and the register of conveyances.

(b) Tax records in the office of the assessor.

(3) The authority may file a single petition with the district court to expedite foreclosure under this Subsection listing all property subject to expedited foreclosure by the authority and for which the authority seeks to quiet title. If available to the authority, the list of properties shall include a legal description of, a tax parcel identification number for, and the street address of each parcel of property. The petition shall seek a judgment in favor of the authority against each property listed and shall include a date, within ninety days of filing, on which the authority requests a hearing on the petition. The petition shall request that a judgment be entered vesting absolute title in the authority, without right of redemption for each parcel of property listed, as provided in this Paragraph. Prior to the entry of judgment under this Paragraph, the authority may request the court to remove property erroneously included in the petition or any tax delinquent properties redeemed prior to the hearing.

(4) The district court in which a petition is filed under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection shall immediately set the date, time, and place for a hearing on the petition for foreclosure. The date shall be set by the court and shall not be more than ten days after the date requested by the authority in the petition. In no event may the court schedule the hearing later than ninety days after the filing of a petition by the authority under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection.

(5) After completing the records search under Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, the authority shall determine the address or addresses reasonably calculated to inform those owners of a property interest in property subject to expedited foreclosure under this Subsection of the pendency of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection. If, after conducting the title search, the authority is unable to determine an address reasonably calculated to inform persons with a property interest in property subject to expedited tax foreclosure, or if the authority discovers a deficiency in notice under this Subsection, the following shall be considered reasonable steps by the authority to ascertain the addresses of persons with a property interest in the property subject to expedited foreclosure or to ascertain an address necessary to correct a deficiency in notice under this Subsection:

(a) For an individual, a search of records of the recorder of mortgages and the register of conveyances.

(b) For a business entity, a search of business entity records filed with the commercial division of the Department of State.

(c) For a state or federal chartered depositary financial institution, a search of entity records filed with the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions or with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

(6) Not less than thirty days before the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, the authority shall send notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the hearing to the persons identified under Paragraph (2) of this Subsection who have a property interest in property subject to expedited foreclosure. The authority shall also send a notice via regular mail addressed to the "Occupant" for each property subject to expedited foreclosure if an address for the property is ascertainable.

(7) Not less than thirty days before the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, the authority or its authorized representative or authorized agent shall visit each parcel of property subject to expedited foreclosure and post on the property conspicuous notice of the hearing. In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (8) of this Subsection, the notice shall also include the following statement: "This Property has been transferred to the New Iberia Redevelopment Authority and is subject to an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action. Persons with information regarding the prior owner of the property are requested to contact the New Iberia Redevelopment Authority".

(8) The notices required under Paragraphs (6) and (7) of this Subsection shall include:

(a) The date on which the authority recorded, under Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, notice of the pending expedited quiet title and foreclosure action.

(b) A statement that a person with a property interest in the property may lose his interest as a result of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection.

(c) A legal description, parcel number of the property, and the street address of the property, if available.

(d) The person to whom the notice is addressed.

(e) The date and time of the hearing on the petition for foreclosure under Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, and a statement that the judgment of the court may result in title to the property vesting in the authority.

(f) An explanation of any rights of redemption and notice that the judgment of the court may extinguish any ownership interest in or right to redeem the property.

(g) The name, address, and telephone number of the authority.

(h) A statement that persons with information regarding the owner or prior owner of any of the properties are requested to contact the authority.

(9) If the authority is unable to ascertain the address reasonably calculated to inform the owners of a property interest entitled to notice under this Section, or is unable to provide notice under Paragraphs (6) and (7) of this Subsection, the authority shall provide notice by publication. Prior to the hearing, a notice shall be published for three successive weeks, once each week, in a newspaper published and circulated in the city. The published notice shall include all of the following:

(a) A legal description, parcel number of the property, and the street address of the property, if available.

(b) The name of any person not notified under Paragraphs (6) and (7) of this Subsection that the authority reasonably believes may be entitled to notice under this Section of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection.

(c) A statement that a person with a property interest in the property may lose his interest as a result of the foreclosure proceeding under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection.

(d) The date and time of the hearing on the petition for foreclosure under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection.

(e) A statement that the judgment of the court may result in title to the property vesting in the authority.

(f) An explanation of any rights of redemption and notice that judgment of the court may extinguish any ownership interest in or right to redeem the property.

(g) The name, address, and telephone number of the authority.

(h) A statement that persons with information regarding the owner or prior owner of any of the properties are requested to contact the authority.

(10) If prior to the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, the authority discovers any deficiency in the provision of notice under this Subsection, the authority shall take reasonable steps in good faith to correct the deficiency before the hearing. The provisions of this Subsection relating to notice of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing are exclusive and exhaustive. Other requirements relating to notice and proof of service under other law, rule, or other legal requirement are not applicable to notice or proof of service under this Subsection.

(11) If a petition for expedited quiet title and foreclosure is filed under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, before the hearing, the authority shall file with the clerk of the district court proof of notice by certified mail under Paragraph (6) of this Subsection, proof of notice by posting on the property under Paragraph (7) of this Subsection, and proof of notice by publication, if applicable. A person claiming an interest in a parcel of property set forth in the petition for foreclosure, including a current holder of a conventional mortgage, who desires to contest that petition shall file written objections with the clerk of the district court and serve those objections on the authority before the date of the hearing. A holder of a conventional mortgage may object to the action and is entitled to a dismissal of the proceedings by the district court upon a showing that it is the holder of a legally enforceable conventional mortgage and upon payment of the outstanding amount of any liens, taxes, and related costs. The district court may appoint and utilize as the court considers necessary a curator for assistance with the resolution of any objections to the foreclosure or questions regarding the title to property subject to foreclosure. If the court withholds property from foreclosure, the authority's ability to include the property in a subsequent petition for expedited quiet title and foreclosure is not prejudiced. No injunction shall issue to stay an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action under this Subsection. The district court shall enter judgment on a petition to quiet title and foreclosure filed under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection not more than ten days after the conclusion of the hearing or contested case, and the judgment shall become effective ten days after the conclusion of the hearing or contested case. The district court's judgment shall specify all of the following:

(a) The legal description and, if known, the street address of the property foreclosed.

(b) That title to property foreclosed by the judgment is vested absolutely in the authority, except as otherwise provided in Paragraphs (3) and (5) of this Subsection, without any further rights of redemption.

(c) That all liens against the property, including any lien for unpaid taxes or special assessments, are extinguished.

(d) That, except as otherwise provided in Subparagraph (e) of this Paragraph, the authority has good and marketable title to the property.

(e) That all existing recorded and unrecorded interests in that property are extinguished, except a visible or recorded easement or right-of-way or private deed restrictions.

(f) A finding that all persons entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard have been provided that notice and opportunity. A person shall be deemed to have been provided notice and an opportunity to be heard if the authority followed the procedures for provision of notice by mail, by visits to property subject to expedited quiet title and foreclosure, and by publication under this Subsection, or if one or more of the following apply:

(i) The person had constructive notice of the hearing by acquiring an interest in the property after the date of the recording, under Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, of the notice of pending expedited quiet title and foreclosure action.

(ii) The person appeared at the hearing or submitted written objections to the district court under this Subsection prior to the hearing.

(iii) Prior to the hearing under this Paragraph, the person had actual notice of the hearing.

(12) Except as otherwise provided in Subparagraph (11)(e) of this Subsection, title to property set forth in a petition for foreclosure filed under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection shall vest absolutely in the authority upon the effective date of the judgment by the district court, and the authority shall have absolute title to the property. The authority's title shall not be subject to any recorded or unrecorded lien, except as provided in Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, and shall not be stayed or held invalid, except as provided in Paragraph (13) of this Subsection. A judgment entered under this Subsection is a final order with respect to the property affected by the judgment and shall not be modified, stayed, or held invalid after the effective date of the judgment, except as provided in Paragraph (13) of this Subsection.

(13) The authority or a person claiming to have a property interest under Paragraph (2) of this Subsection in property foreclosed under this Subsection may, within twenty-one days of the effective date of the judgment under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, appeal the district court's order or the district court's judgment foreclosing property to the court of appeals. The appeal of the judgment shall be entitled to preference and priority and shall be handled on an expedited basis by the court of appeal and, if applicable, the Louisiana Supreme Court. In such cases, the record shall be prepared and filed within fifteen days of the granting of the order of appeal. The court of appeal shall hear the case within thirty days after the filing of the appellee's brief. An appeal under this Paragraph is limited to the record of the proceedings in the district court under this Subsection. The district court's judgment foreclosing property shall be stayed until the court of appeals has reversed, modified, or affirmed that judgment. If an appeal under this Paragraph stays the district court's judgment foreclosing property, the district court's judgment is stayed only as to the property that is the subject of that appeal, and the district court's judgment foreclosing other property that is not the subject of that appeal is not stayed. To appeal the district court's judgment foreclosing property, a person appealing the judgment shall pay to the authority any taxes, interest, penalties, and fees due on the property and provide notice of the appeal to the authority within twenty-one days after the district court's judgment becomes effective. If the district court's judgment foreclosing the property is affirmed on appeal, the amount determined to be due shall be refunded to the person who appealed the judgment. If the district court's judgment foreclosing the property is reversed or modified on appeal, the authority shall refund the amount determined to be due to the person who appealed the judgment, if any, and forward the balance to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions in accordance with the order of the court of appeals.

(14) The authority shall record a notice of judgment for each parcel of foreclosed property in the office of the register of conveyances. If the authority records a notice of judgment in error, the authority may subsequently record a certificate of correction. A notice or certificate under this Paragraph need not be notarized and may be authenticated by a digital signature or other electronic means. After the entry of a judgment foreclosing the property under this Subsection, if the property has not been transferred by the authority, the authority may cancel the foreclosure by recording with the register of conveyances a certificate of error, if the authority discovers any of the following:

(a) The description of the property used in the expedited quiet title and foreclosure proceeding was so indefinite or erroneous that the foreclosure of the property was void.

(b) An owner of an interest in the property entitled to notice of the expedited quiet title and proceedings against the property under this Subsection was not provided notice sufficient to satisfy the minimum due process requirements of the Constitution of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States.

(c) A judgment of foreclosure was entered under this Subsection in violation of an order issued by a United States bankruptcy court.

(15) If a judgment of foreclosure is entered under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, and all existing recorded and unrecorded interests in a parcel of property are extinguished as provided in Paragraph (11) of this Subsection, the owner of any extinguished recorded or unrecorded interest in that property who claims that he did not receive notice of the expedited quiet title and foreclosure action shall not bring an action for possession of the property against any subsequent owner but may bring an action only to recover monetary damages from the authority as provided in this Paragraph. The district court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in any action to recover monetary damages under this Paragraph. An action to recover monetary damages under this Paragraph shall not be brought more than two years after a judgment for foreclosure is entered under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection. Any monetary damages recoverable under this Paragraph shall be determined as of the date a judgment for foreclosure is entered under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection and shall not exceed the fair market value of the interest in the property held by the person bringing the action under this Subsection on that date, less any taxes, interest, penalties, and fees owed on the property as of that date. The right to sue for monetary damages under this Paragraph shall not be transferable except by testate or intestate succession.

(16) The owner of a property interest with notice of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Paragraph (11) of this Subsection may not assert any of the following:

(a) That notice to the owner was insufficient or inadequate in any way because some other owner of a property interest in the property was not notified.

(b) That any right to redeem tax reverted property was extended in any way because some other person was not notified.

(17) A person holding or formerly holding an interest in tax reverted property subject to expedited foreclosure under this Subsection is barred from questioning the validity of the expedited foreclosure under this Subsection.

(18) The failure of the authority to comply with any provision of this Subsection shall not invalidate any proceeding under this Subsection if a person with a property interest in property subject to foreclosure was accorded the minimum due process required under the Constitution of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States.

(19) It is the intent of the legislature that the provisions of this Subsection relating to the expedited quiet title and foreclosure of property by the authority satisfy the minimum requirements of due process required under the Constitution of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States but that the provisions do not create new rights beyond those required under the Constitution of Louisiana or the Constitution of the United States. The failure of the authority to follow a requirement of this Section relating to the expedited quiet title and foreclosure of property held by the authority shall not be construed to create a claim or cause of action against the authority unless the minimum requirements of due process accorded under the Constitution of Louisiana or the Constitution of the United States are violated.

(20) As used in this Subsection, "authorized representative" includes one or more of the following:

(a) A title insurance company or agent licensed to conduct business in this state.

(b) An attorney licensed to practice law in this state.

(c) A person accredited in land title search procedures by a nationally recognized organization in the field of land title searching.

(d) A person with demonstrated experience in the field of searching land title records, as determined by the authority.

(21) As used in this Subsection, "district court" shall mean the Sixteenth Judicial District Court.

Acts 2009, No. 526, §1, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2013, No. 220, §12, eff. June 11, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:9091.26 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 9091.26
Vista Park Crime Prevention District
Status: in_force

A. Creation. There is hereby created within the parish of Orleans, as more specifically provided in Subsection B of this Section, a body politic and corporate which shall be known as the Vista Park Crime Prevention District, hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "district". The district shall be a political subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.

B. Boundaries. The boundaries of the district shall be that area within and including the following perimeter: Robert E Lee Boulevard, Fillmore Avenue, London Avenue Canal, and Paris Avenue.

C. Purpose. The district is established for the objects of promoting and encouraging security in the area included within the district and promoting and encouraging the beautification and overall betterment of the district.

D. Governance. (1) The district shall be governed by a five-member board of commissioners, referred to in this Section as the "board". The board shall be composed as follows:

(a) The board of directors of the Vista Park Civic and Improvement Association shall appoint three members.

(b) The member of the Louisiana House of Representatives whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

(c) The member of the governing authority of the city of New Orleans whose council district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

(2) All members of the board shall be residents and qualified voters of the district.

(3)(a) Board members shall serve four-year terms after initial terms as provided in this Subparagraph. Two members shall serve initial terms of one year; one shall serve an initial term of two years; one shall serve an initial term of three years; and one shall serve an initial term of four years, as determined by lot at the first meeting of the board.

(b) Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. Board members may be reappointed.

(4) The board shall elect from its members a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The duties of the officers shall be fixed by the bylaws adopted by the board.

(5) The minute books and archives of the district shall be maintained by the secretary of the board. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district shall be in the official custody of the board.

(6) The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for conducting its business affairs. Rules and regulations of the board relative to the notice and conduct of meetings shall conform to applicable law, including, if applicable, R.S. 42:11 et seq., relative to open meetings. The board shall hold regular meetings as provided for in the bylaws and may hold special meetings at such times and places within the district as prescribed in the bylaws.

(7) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall make them available through the secretary of the board to residents of the district.

(8) Each member of the board shall have one vote, and the vote of a majority of the members of the board present and voting, a quorum being present, shall be required to decide any question upon which the board takes action.

(9) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the governance of the district.

E. Powers and duties. The district, acting through its board, shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To sue and be sued.

(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(3) To receive and expend funds collected pursuant to Subsection F of this Section and in accordance with a budget adopted as provided by Subsection H of this Section.

(4) To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public.

(5) To provide or enhance security patrols in the district, to provide for improved lighting, signage, or matters relating to the security of the district, to provide for the beautification of and improvements for the district, or to provide generally for the overall betterment of the district.

(6) To enter into contracts and arrangements with one or more other security and improvement districts for the joint security, improvement, or betterment of all participating districts.

(7) To contract for such services and expenditures as the board deems proper for the upkeep of the district.

(8) To acquire or lease items and supplies which the board deems useful to achieving the purposes of the district.

(9) To acquire, lease, insure, and sell immovable property within the boundaries of the district in accordance with district plans.

(10) To procure and maintain liability insurance against any personal or legal liability of a board member that may be asserted or incurred based upon his service as a member of the board or that may arise as a result of his actions taken within the scope and discharge of his duties as a member of the board.

(11) To perform or have performed any other function or activity necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the district or for the overall betterment of the district.

F. Parcel fee. The governing authority of the city of New Orleans is hereby authorized to impose and collect a parcel fee within the district subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection.

(1)(a) The amount of the fee shall be as requested by duly adopted resolution of the board. The fee shall be imposed on each improved or unimproved parcel located within the district. The fee shall be a flat fee per parcel per year not to exceed four hundred dollars for unimproved parcels zoned residential, four hundred dollars for improved single-family parcels zoned residential, one thousand dollars for improved multi-family parcels zoned residential, and one thousand dollars for unimproved and improved parcels zoned commercial.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, if multiple adjacent residential parcels are combined for the purpose of housing a single-family dwelling, the flat fee for the combined parcel shall not exceed six hundred dollars per year.

(2)(a) For purposes of this Section, "parcel" means a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, or an individual tract.

(b) The owner of each parcel shall be responsible for payment of the fee.

(3) The fee shall be imposed only after its imposition has been approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district voting on the proposition at an election held for that purpose in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code.

(4) The term of the imposition of the fee shall be as provided in the proposition authorizing the fee, not to exceed eight years. The fee may be renewed if the renewal is approved by the voters in the manner provided in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection. If renewed, the term of the imposition of the fee shall be as provided in the proposition authorizing such renewal, not to exceed eight years.

(5) The fee shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem taxes on property subject to taxation by the city are collected.

(6) Any parcel fee which is unpaid shall be added to the tax rolls of the city and shall be enforced with the same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad valorem taxes.

(7)(a) The proceeds of the fee shall be used solely and exclusively for the purpose and benefit of the district; however, the city may retain one percent of the amount collected as a collection fee.

(b) The city of New Orleans shall remit to the district all amounts collected not more than sixty days after collection.

G. Additional contributions. The district may solicit and accept additional voluntary contributions and grants to further the purposes of the district.

H. Budget. (1) The board shall adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301 et seq.

(2) The district shall be subject to audit by the legislative auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

I. Miscellaneous provisions. (1) It is the purpose and intent of this Section that the additional law enforcement or security personnel and their services provided for through the fees authorized in this Section shall be supplemental to and not in lieu of personnel and services provided in the district by the New Orleans Police Department.

(2) If the district ceases to exist, all funds of the district shall be transmitted by the board to the city of New Orleans, and such funds, together with any other funds collected by the city of New Orleans pursuant to this Section, shall be maintained in a separate account by the city and shall be used only to promote, encourage, and enhance the security, beautification, and overall betterment of the area included in the district.

J. Indemnification and exculpation. (1) The district shall indemnify its officers and board members to the fullest extent permitted by R.S. 12:227, as fully as if the district were a nonprofit corporation governed thereby, and as may be provided in the district's bylaws.

(2) No board member or officer of the district shall be liable to the district or to any individual who resides, owns property, visits, or otherwise conducts business in the district for monetary damages for breach of his duties as a board member or officer, provided that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a board member or officer for any of the following:

(a) Acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law.

(b) Any transaction from which he derived an improper personal benefit.

(3) To the fullest extent permitted by R.S. 9:2792 et seq., including R.S. 9:2792.1 through 2792.9, a person serving the district as a board member or officer shall not be individually liable for any act or omission arising out of the performance of his duties.

Acts 2021, No. 201, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:1341 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 1341
Short title
Status: in_force

This Subpart shall be known and may be cited as the "Local Governmental Subdivision Self-Insurance Act of 1979."

Added by Acts 1979, No. 462, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4064.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4064.5
Funding
Status: in_force

A. Subject to the approval of a majority of the electors of the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish voting in an election held for that purpose, the commission is hereby authorized to levy and collect an ad valorem tax not to exceed five mills for an initial term not to exceed ten years on all taxable property located within that portion of the parish. Thereafter, levy of an ad valorem tax by the commission shall be in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 39:801 through 804. Such ad valorem tax shall be imposed by resolution of the commission only after the question of the imposition of the tax has been submitted to the qualified electors of the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish at an election conducted in accordance with the election laws of the state of Louisiana, and the majority of those voting in the election have voted in favor of the proposition. The proceeds of such tax shall be used for any of the purposes specified in R.S. 33:4064.1.

B. The commission is hereby authorized to levy and collect an additional sales and use tax not in excess of one percent within the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish. Such sales and use tax shall be imposed by resolution of the commission only after the question of the imposition of the tax has been submitted to the qualified electors of the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish at an election conducted in accordance with the election laws of the state of Louisiana, and the majority of those voting in the election have voted in favor of the proposition. Such tax shall be levied upon the sale at retail, the use, lease, and rental, the consumption and the storage for consumption of tangible personal property, and on sales of services in the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish, all as defined in R.S. 47:301 through 317. This tax shall be in addition to all other taxes and shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as set forth in R.S. 47:301 through 317. The proceeds of such tax shall be used for any of the purposes specified in R.S. 33:4064.1.

C.(1) In addition to other powers specifically granted, with regard to land properly subdivided and recognized as a subdivision of ten lots or more by the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish, the commission is hereby authorized to levy and collect an annual parcel fee on each lot or parcel of real estate located in the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish. The fee may be a fixed amount, or determined by calculation on a front foot or square foot basis.

(2) Such parcel fee shall be imposed by resolution of the commission only after the question of its imposition has been submitted to the qualified electors of the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish at an election held in accordance with the election laws of the state of Louisiana, and a majority of those voting in the election have voted in favor of the proposition.

(3) Any such parcel fee shall constitute a special assessment as defined in Article VI, Section 36(B) of the Louisiana Constitution. For the purposes of this Subsection, "parcel" shall mean a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, or an individual tract.

(4) The amount assessed shall be due and collectible as shall be set forth in the resolution imposing such parcel fee and if payable in deferred payment installments such deferred payment installments shall, if so provided in the resolution, bear interest at such rate or rates as shall be provided in the resolution. The failure to pay any deferred payment installment or the interest thereon when due, shall ipso facto cause all other installments of deferred payments and the interest thereon to become due and payable and the commission shall within thirty days from date of such default, proceed against the property for the collection of the total amount due thereon, including interest, plus ten percent additional on the principal and interest of the past due deferred payment installment or installments or ten percent of the amount sued for, and in the event judgment is necessary to effect collection, ten percent of the amount of the judgment rendered, as attorneys fees. Provided that, said attorneys fees shall be payable by the property owner only if demand by the commission through registered or certified mail has been made on the property owner and he has failed to pay the amount due within ten days after such demand.

(5) A certified copy of the resolution levying the parcel fee on the real estate shall be filed with the clerk of court of St. Tammany Parish, who shall forthwith record the same in the mortgage records of the parish, and when so filed and recorded, shall operate as a lien and privilege against all real estate therein assessed, and which aforesaid lien and privilege shall prime all other claims except taxes and prior recorded special assessments. Said lien and privilege shall continue in full force and effect until paid in full and need not be reinscribed in the mortgage records so long as there are outstanding and unpaid in principal or interest any evidences of indebtedness issued by the commission and outstanding which are secured by said parcel fee.

(6) Any errors in descriptions or amounts in any resolution imposing such parcel fees adopted pursuant to this Section may be corrected by the adoption of an amendatory resolution which need set forth only the corrected descriptions or amounts and which amendatory resolution shall be recorded in the same manner as the original resolution levying the parcel fees. The adoption of any such corrective resolution shall serve only to postpone the thirty-day period for payment in full of the parcel fees actually affected and corrected by such amendatory resolution, and the due dates of the installments of such parcel fees so corrected as are not paid in full in cash within thirty days from the date of the adoption of the amendatory resolution, shall be the same as the due dates of the installments of the parcel fees levied in the original resolution and not affected or corrected by any such amendatory resolution or resolutions.

(7) Any parcel fee imposed pursuant to this Subsection may be collected in the same manner as ad valorem taxes, special assessments or as specified in the resolution imposing such parcel fee levied by the commission or the parish governing authority. The proceeds of such parcel fee shall be used for any of the purposes specified in R.S. 33:4064.1.

D.(1) The commission may establish and assess sewerage and water rates to be charged within the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish for sewerage and water facilities, owned, operated, or leased by the commission. The commission may also establish sewerage and water rates to be charged within the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish for such sewerage and water facilities subject to the provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection. Such rates shall be equal and uniform for each grade or class of customers or beneficiaries, shall cover the anticipated costs of providing such sewerage or water service, and may include a facilities availability fee to the record owner of any parcel of real property located within said portion of the parish, whether such property is improved or vacant, any portion of which is located within the distance established by state law or rules or regulations of the commission within which connection to any such facility may be required, which fee is designed to defray the expense of making available to adjoining property owners such facility whether or not such facility is connected to any improvements located on any such parcel of real property. Should the owner fail to pay the fee, the commission shall be authorized to file an affidavit of lien on the property, specifically identifying the property affected and the amount of the fee to date of filing and that may be accruing. Subject to proper notice, any such lien filed on real property may be added to the annual ad valorem tax bill of the property owner. The commission shall be authorized to adopt rules and regulations for notice, collection, payment, and cancellation of such charges.

(2) The commission shall have sole authority to enter into an environmental utility service agreement with any public or private provider of sewerage or water service wherein the purpose of such agreement shall be to assign to the provider certain rights of the commission to plan, finance, construct, purchase, own, let, lease, maintain, operate, improve, or otherwise extend sewerage or water systems within the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish. The commission may adopt rules and regulations relative to the assignment of such rights, establishment of environmental utility service districts, term and requirements of said agreement, and fees associated with the application, administration, supervision, and enforcement of said agreement.

E. The commission may establish and assess fees for inspecting sewerage and water systems; for reviewing plans and specifications of such systems; for monitoring the construction or operation of such systems; and for other services authorized by this Subpart. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for notice, collection, payment, waiver, and cancellation of such fees.

F. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and further subject to the approval of the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish, the commission shall have the authority to incur debt and issue bonds, notes, certificates of indebtedness or other evidences of indebtedness secured by any tax, fee, charge or other source of revenue available to the commission. Any such evidence of indebtedness shall be issued pursuant to a resolution adopted by majority vote of the members of the commission. The commission may issue general obligation bonds upon compliance with the provisions of Article VI, Section 33 of the Louisiana Constitution and may issue revenue bonds in accordance with the provisions of Part XIII of Chapter 4, Chapter 13, and Chapter 13-A, all of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. The commission shall have the authority to issue refunding bonds in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14 and Chapter 14-A of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. The commission is hereby authorized to issue sewerage certificates or water certificates, pursuant to Subpart A, Part II, Chapter 9 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 or Chapter 8 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, including the provisions of Section 3822.2 thereof, respectively; provided, however, that the commission may issue sewerage certificates and water certificates secured by assessments on real property only within that portion of the unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish defined by ordinance of the St. Tammany Parish Police Jury as the "Growth Management Area" as amended from time to time. The commission is also hereby authorized to issue certificates of indebtedness pursuant to R.S. 39:745 and is further authorized to incur debt and issue bonds for any purpose authorized herein pursuant to any statute of the state of Louisiana providing for the issuance of debt by political subdivisions of the state of Louisiana. The bonds and the income thereof shall be exempt from all taxation in the state of Louisiana. Such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in the name of the commission and shall not constitute obligations of St. Tammany Parish, or the state of Louisiana.

G. In all cases where a proposition concerning the issuance of debt, the imposition of an ad valorem tax, sales and use tax, annual lot or parcel fee, assessment, or any other proposal is required by law to be submitted by the commission to the electors of the unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish, such proposition shall be submitted only with the prior approval of the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish and the parish planning commission and after such approval may be submitted to the electors within a portion of the unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish comprising less than the whole of such unincorporated areas provided that any such lesser portion is defined as to geographic area by identifiable boundaries established by resolution of the commission and such area is contained within that portion of the unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish defined by ordinance of the St. Tammany Parish Police Jury as the "Growth Management Area" as amended from time to time. Any proposition approved by the majority of the electors voting thereon in any election held within any such lesser portion of the unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish shall only have effect within the geographic area voting on such proposition. Any election called under these provisions shall be held at the same time as a regularly scheduled election.

H.(1) Prior to the imposition, authorization, levy, and collection of any sewerage service fee, water service fee, or any local or special assessment the proceeds of which shall be used for the construction, improvement, or extension of sewage collection and treatment facilities or water production, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities, the commission shall cause to be mailed to each property owner to be assessed or to each person or other entity to be charged such fee, notice advising each such property owner being assessed or each person or entity to be charged any such fee, of the proposed assessment or fee and the manner and time for payment and collection thereof.

(2) Said notice shall set forth a general description of the proposed improvements to be financed through the imposition of said assessment or fee, if any, or any other proposed use of the proposed assessment or fee, such description of the property to be assessed or charged such fee and the location thereof as the commission may deem necessary. Said notice shall advise the addressee thereof that such person may object to the imposition of said assessment or fee by causing to be delivered to the commission within thirty days from the date of mailing of a written notice of objection to the imposition of such assessment or fee. The clerk or secretary of the commission shall tabulate the return of the notices of objection no less than seven days after expiration of the thirty-day period for filing of written notice of objection.

(3) The notice shall be sent by United States mail, postage prepaid, first class, addressed to the property owner at his address as it appeared on the last approved tax roll on which the property was assessed for property tax purposes, or if such addressee is not a property owner, such other reasonable address as is available to the commission, at which address addressee is to be rendered the service for which the fee is being charged.

(4) A certificate of the clerk or secretary of the commission stating that the notice has been given in writing to all persons required to receive such notice shall establish a conclusive legal presumption that notice was filed and received by each addressee and failure of any addressee to return an objection shall establish a conclusive legal presumption that such addressee has no opposition to the imposition of the special assessment or fee. In lieu of such certificate, an affidavit by the president of an incorporated homeowners organization to the effect that the required notice has been personally delivered shall establish a conclusive legal presumption of notice.

(5) If a majority of the property owners to be assessed or persons to be charged with the special fee object to the imposition or levy in the manner provided in this Subsection, the fee or assessment shall not be imposed.

I. The commission is authorized to issue revenue bonds or other debt obligations which may be secured by a mortgage on the lands, buildings, machinery, and equipment, or by the pledge of the income and revenues derived or to be derived from any work of public improvement owned, leased, or operated by the commission, or both.

J. The commission is authorized to receive and accept from any source, grants for or in aid of the construction of the facilities owned or operated by the commission or additions or extensions thereto, and to receive and accept aid or contributions from any source, of either money, property, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied only for the purposes for which such grants and contributions may be made.

K. The commission may establish and assess development impact fees, the proceeds of which shall be used for the production of engineering assessments, major facilities master plans, development plans to be approved by the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish as such development plans relate to the planning, adjustment, and relocation of sewerage and water systems within the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish, and for related and associated professional services and costs. To defray the costs associated with the gathering, sorting, reviewing, interpreting, correlating, and categorizing of information and documents associated with the development and/or installation of sewerage and/or water systems in, or to be located in the unincorporated portion of St. Tammany Parish, the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish shall remit to the commission fees the amount of which shall be determined in accordance with the following formulas:

(1) For building permit applications: five dollars plus one cent per square foot for residential and mobile home plan review, and two cents for commercial plan review.

(2) For subdivision applications: twenty dollars plus five dollars per lot upon application for tentative plan approval, ten dollars per lot upon application for preliminary plan approval, and fifteen dollars per lot upon application for final plan approval.

Acts 1986, No. 934, §1; Acts 1989, No. 782, §1, eff. July 9, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 805, §1, eff. July 24, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 1051, §1, eff. July 13, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 833, §1, eff. June 22, 1993.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:130.521 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 130.521
Tensas Economic and Industrial Development District; creation; territorial jurisdiction
Status: in_force

A. The Tensas Economic and Industrial Development District, hereinafter referred to as the "district", is hereby created and is declared to be a body politic and political subdivision of the state, as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Constitution of Louisiana. Pursuant to Article VI, Sections 19 and 21 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the district, acting through its board of commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the "board", the governing authority of said district, is hereby granted all of the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities granted to political subdivisions for economic and industrial development purposes, including but not limited to the power of taxation, the power to incur debt and issue revenue and general obligation bonds, certificates of indebtedness, bond and certificate anticipation notes, and refunding bonds, subject to the limitations hereinafter provided.

B. The district created by this Subpart is established for the primary object and purpose of promoting and encouraging economic and industrial development and tourism opportunities, stimulating the economy through renewed commerce, industry, research, and tourism, and for the utilization and development of natural and human resources of the area by providing job opportunities.

C. The boundaries of the district shall be coterminous with the boundaries of Tensas Parish.

Acts 1995, No. 315, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:2740.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 2740.3
The Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans; creation, composition, and powers; preparation of plans; levy of ad valorem taxes and issuance of bonds
Status: in_force

A.(1) There shall be, and there hereby is, created a special taxing district within the city of New Orleans comprised of all the territory within the following prescribed boundaries:

The point of beginning shall be at the intersection of the east bank of the Mississippi River and the Mississippi River Bridge approaches and Pontchartrain Expressway: thence continuing along the upper line of the Pontchartrain Expressway right-of-way less and except ramp areas, and in a northwesterly direction to the lake side right-of-way line of Claiborne Avenue; thence northeasterly along the lake side of said right-of-way line of Claiborne Avenue to the lower right-of-way line of Iberville Street; thence along the said lower right-of-way line of Iberville Street to the east bank of the Mississippi River; thence continuing along the east bank of said river to the upper right-of-way line of the Mississippi River Bridge approaches and Pontchartrain Expressway, being the point of beginning.

(2) The special taxing district shall be known as and is hereby designated the Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans, hereinafter in this Section referred to as the "district", the creation to be effective January 1, 1975.

B. In order to provide for the orderly planning, development, acquisition, construction, and effectuation of the services, improvements, and facilities to be furnished by the district and to provide for the representation in the affairs of the district of those persons and interests immediately concerned with and affected by the purposes and development of the district, there is hereby created a board of commissioners for the district, hereinafter referred to as the "board".

C.(1) The board shall be composed of eleven members, at least five of whom shall be qualified voters of the city of New Orleans, and shall have their principal place of business in, or own property in, the district. Each board member shall be subject to confirmation by the New Orleans city council.

(a) The members of the board shall possess additional qualifications and shall be appointed as follows:

(i) Two of the members shall be appointed by the mayor.

(ii) One of the members shall be appointed by the New Orleans city council member representing City Council District B.

(iii) One of the members shall be appointed by New Orleans & Company.

(iv) Two of the members shall be appointed by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, subject to approval by the president of the New Orleans city council.

(v) One of the members shall be appointed by the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, subject to approval by the president of the New Orleans city council.

(vi) One of the members shall be appointed by the Louisiana Restaurant Association, subject to approval by the president of the New Orleans city council.

(vii) One of the members shall be appointed by the member or members of the Louisiana House of Representatives who represent the district.

(viii) Two of the members shall be appointed by the member or members of the Louisiana Senate who represent the district.

(b) Upon the first meeting, the members of the board shall be randomly allotted terms as follows: three members for one year each, three members for two years each, three members for three years each, and two members for four years each; the length of the term for each individual appointed to be determined by lot. They shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Each board member shall be required to annually provide an affidavit attesting that the board member has a principal place of business or owns property in the district.

(c) The members of the board thereafter appointed by the mayor upon the expiration of the respective terms of the initial appointees shall be selected and appointed in accordance with the procedures in this Subsection prescribed for the selection and appointment of the original members for the term of five years. However, vacancies shall be filled from nominations submitted by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce in the following manner. The mayor shall select and appoint one of two names submitted to him by such council for each of the five vacancies for which the council is to submit nominees. If the selection and appointment by the mayor does not take place within thirty days following submission of the nominees by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the selection and appointment shall be made by the city council. Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled in accordance with the procedures as set forth herein. However, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce may submit additional nominees to either the mayor or the city council, as applicable, until all vacancies pursuant to this Subsection are filled.

(2) As soon as practicable after their appointment, the board shall meet and elect from their number a chairman, a vice chairman, a treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem appropriate. A secretary of the board may be selected from among the members or may be otherwise selected or employed by the board. The duties of the officers shall be fixed by bylaws adopted by the board. The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for conducting its business and affairs and shall engage such assistants and employees as is needed to assist the board in the performance of its duties. It shall hold regular meetings as shall be provided by its bylaws and may hold special meetings at such time and places within or without the districts as may be prescribed in its rules or regulations. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all regular and special meetings and shall make them available to the public in conformance with law. The members of the board shall serve without compensation; however, they shall receive travel allowance as reimbursement for expenses incurred while attending to the business of the district.

D.(1) The board shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a plan or plans specifying the public improvements, public safety services, reducing homelessness, facilities, and services proposed to be furnished, constructed, or acquired by the district, and it shall conduct such public hearings, publish such notice with respect thereto, and disseminate such information as it in the exercise of its sound discretion may deem to be appropriate or advisable and in the public interest. The board shall conduct an annual presentation to the New Orleans city council regarding expenditures.

(2) Any plan may specify and encompass any public services, capital improvements, and facilities which the city of New Orleans is authorized to undertake, furnish, or provide under the constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, and such specified public services, improvements, and facilities shall be, and shall for all purposes be deemed to be, special and in addition to all services, improvements, and facilities which the city of New Orleans is then furnishing or providing or may then, or in the future, be obligated to furnish or provide with respect to persons or property within the boundaries of the district.

(3) Any plan shall include the following:

(a) An estimate of the annual and aggregate cost of acquiring, constructing, or providing the services, improvements, or facilities set forth therein.

(b) The proportion of the tax to be levied on the taxable real property within the district which is to be set aside and dedicated to paying the cost of furnishing specified services, and the proportion of such tax to be set aside and dedicated to paying the cost of capital improvements, or paying the cost of debt service on any bonds to be issued to pay the cost of capital improvements, such proportions, in each case, to be expressed in numbers of mills.

(c) An estimate of the aggregate number of mills required to be levied in each year on the taxable real property within the district in order to provide the funds required for the implementation or effectuation of the plan for furnishing the services specified and for capital improvements or debt service, or both.

E.(1) All services to be furnished within the district pursuant to any plan finally and conclusively adopted hereunder may be furnished by the district or may be furnished, supplied, and administered by the city of New Orleans through its regularly constituted departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and instrumentalities as appropriate in the circumstances; and all capital improvements and facilities to be acquired, constructed, or provided within the district, whether from the proceeds of bonds or otherwise, shall likewise be so acquired, constructed, or provided by the city of New Orleans through its regularly constituted departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and instrumentalities as appropriate in the circumstances, it being the intention hereof to avoid absolutely the duplication of administrative and management efforts and expense in the implementation of any plan adopted for the benefit of the district.

(2) In order to provide such services and/or provide, construct, or acquire such capital improvements or facilities, the board may enter into contracts with the city of New Orleans. The cost of any such services, capital improvements, and facilities shall be paid for to the city of New Orleans from the proceeds of the special tax levied upon real property within the district as herein provided, or from the proceeds of bonds, as the case may be.

(3) The service sought may be provided by the city of New Orleans, and the board may contract with other entities. The cost of such specially contracted services shall be paid for by the board with its funds budgeted therefor. Any additional security patrols, public or private, or any other security or other services or betterments provided by the district shall be supplemental to existing personnel and services to be provided in the district by the state or the city of New Orleans, or their departments or agencies, or by other political subdivisions.

(4) The district may procure by informal bid a public work with a value of one hundred fifty thousand dollars or less.

F. The city council, in addition to all other taxes which it is now or hereafter may be authorized by law to levy and collect, is hereby authorized to levy and collect as hereinafter specifically provided for a term not to exceed fifty years from and after the date that the first tax is levied pursuant to the provisions of this Section, in the same manner and at the same time as all other ad valorem taxes on property subject to taxation by the city are levied and collected, a special ad valorem tax upon all taxable real property situated within the boundaries of the core area development district. The number of mills hereby authorized shall be computed by dividing the number of mills levied and collected by the city of New Orleans for general operating purposes for the year 1977 into the number of mills levied and collected by the city of New Orleans for general operating purposes for the year 1978 and multiplying the result by ten. No such tax shall be levied until a plan requiring or requesting the levy of a tax is finally and conclusively adopted in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this Section. The proceeds of the tax shall be used solely and exclusively for the purposes and benefit of the district. The proceeds shall be paid over to the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, day by day as the same are collected and received by the appropriate officials of the city of New Orleans and maintained in a separate account. The tax proceeds shall be paid out by the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, solely for the purposes herein provided upon warrants or drafts drawn on the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, by the appropriate officials of the city and the treasurer of the district.

G.(1) The city of New Orleans, when requested by resolution adopted by the vote of a majority of the members of the board, approved by a resolution of the city council adopted by a majority vote of its members, and by resolution adopted by the vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, shall have power and is hereby authorized to incur indebtedness for and on behalf and for the sole and exclusive benefit of the district and to issue at one time, or from time to time, negotiable bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness herein referred to collectively as bonds of the city of New Orleans, the principal of, premium if any, and interest on which shall be payable solely from the proceeds of the special tax authorized, levied, and collected pursuant to the provisions of this Section for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring and constructing capital improvements and facilities within the district. Such bonds shall not constitute general obligations of the city of New Orleans, nor shall any property situated within the city other than property situated within the boundaries of the district be subject to taxation for the payment of the principal of, premium if any, and interest on such bonds. Furthermore, any indebtedness incurred by the city of New Orleans for and on behalf and for the benefit of the district pursuant to the provisions of this Section, whether evidenced by bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, or otherwise, shall be excluded in determining the power of the city of New Orleans to incur indebtedness and to issue its general obligation bonds. The principal amount of such bonds which may be outstanding and unpaid at any one time shall never exceed the sum of fifty million dollars. The proceeds derived from the sale of all such bonds shall be paid over to the appropriate officials of the city of New Orleans and shall be disbursed solely for the purposes and benefit of the district. All such bonds shall be sold by the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, shall bear such rate or rates of interest, and shall, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, be in such form, terms, and denominations, be redeemable at such time or times at such price of or prices, and payable at such times and places, within a period of not exceeding fifty years from the date thereof, as the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, shall determine.

(2) The bonds shall be signed by the mayor of the city of New Orleans and the director of finance of the city of New Orleans, or officers exercising a similar function, and countersigned by the president or vice president and the secretary or assistant secretary of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, provided that in the discretion of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, all but one of the signatures may be in facsimile, and the coupons attached to the bonds shall bear the facsimile signatures of the director of finance and the secretary or assistant secretary. In case any such officer whose signature or countersignature appears upon such a bond or coupon shall cease to be such officer before delivery of the bonds or coupons to the purchaser, such signature or countersignature shall nevertheless be valid for all purposes. The cost and expense of preparing and selling the bonds shall be paid from the proceeds thereof.

(3) The resolution of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, authorizing the issuance and sale of such bonds and fixing the form and details thereof may contain such other provisions, not inconsistent nor in conflict with the provisions of this Section, as it may deem to be necessary or advisable to enhance the marketability and acceptability thereof by purchasers and investors, including but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, covenants with bondholders setting forth conditions and limitations on the issuance of additional bonds constituting a lien and charge on the special tax levied on real property within the district pari passu with bonds theretofore issued and outstanding and the creation of reserves for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds. These bonds and the interest thereon are exempt from all taxation levied for state, parish, or municipal or other local purposes; and savings banks, tutors of minors, curators of interdicts, trustees, and other fiduciaries are authorized to invest the funds in their hands in the bonds.

(4) The Board of Liquidation, City Debt, as now organized and created, and with the powers, duties, and functions prescribed by existing laws, shall be continued so long as any bonds authorized by this Section are outstanding and unpaid.

H. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section to the contrary, no tax authorized in this Section shall be levied and no bonds shall be issued unless and until the maximum amount of the tax and the maximum amount of the bonds has been approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon in the city of New Orleans in an election called for that purpose. No bonds issued pursuant to this Section shall be general obligations of the state of Louisiana, the parish of Orleans, or the city of New Orleans.

I. The district shall have the power to acquire, to lease, to insure, and to sell real property within its boundaries in accordance with its plans.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 498, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 124, §1; Acts 1978, No. 307, §1, eff. July 10, 1978; Acts 1981, No. 170, §1; Acts 1983, No. 71, §1, eff. June 17, 1983; Acts 2001, No. 1050, §1; Acts 2010, No. 681, §1; Acts 2024, No. 520, §1, eff. June 10, 2024.

NOTE: See Acts 2004, No. 349, §2, relative to repeal of Acts 1968, No. 170, and all Acts amending it, including Acts 1972, No. 299, Acts 1980, Nos. 571 and 572, Acts 1984, No. 155, Acts 1994, 3 rd Ex. Sess., Nos. 65 and 135, Acts 1995, Nos. 30 and 375, Acts 1997, No. 101, and Acts 2003, Nos. 266 and 968.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:9097.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 9097.9
Shenandoah Estates Crime Prevention and Improvement District
Status: in_force

A. Creation. There is hereby created within the parish of East Baton Rouge, as more specifically provided in Subsection B of this Section, a body politic and corporate which shall be known as the Shenandoah Estates Crime Prevention and Improvement District, hereinafter referred to as the "district". The district shall be a political subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.

B. Boundaries. The boundaries of the district shall be that area within Filings 1 through 30 of the Shenandoah Estates Subdivision in East Baton Rouge Parish as established in the official subdivision plat filed with the clerk of court of East Baton Rouge Parish.

C. Purpose. The district is established for the purpose of promoting and encouraging security in the area included within the district and promoting and encouraging the beautification and overall betterment of the district.

D. Governance. (1) The district shall be governed by a nine-member board of commissioners, referred to in this Section as the "board". The board shall be composed as follows:

(a) The president of the Shenandoah Estates Homeowners' Association, Inc., referred to in this Section as the "association".

(b) The board of directors of the association shall appoint four members.

(c) The mayor of the city of St. George shall appoint one member from a list of nominations submitted by the association.

(d) The member of the governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish whose council district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member from a list of nominations submitted by the association.

(e) The member of the Louisiana House of Representatives whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

(f) The member of the Louisiana Senate whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

(2) All members of the board shall be residents of the district.

(3)(a) Board members serving pursuant to Subparagraphs (1)(b) through (f) of this Subsection shall serve four-year terms after initial terms as provided in this Subparagraph. Two members shall serve initial terms of one year; two shall serve initial terms of two years; two shall serve initial terms of three years; and two shall serve initial terms of four years, as determined by lot at the first meeting of the board.

(b) The member serving pursuant to Subparagraph (1)(a) of this Subsection shall serve during his term of office as president of the association.

(c) Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. Board members shall be eligible for reappointment.

(4) The board shall elect from its members a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The duties of the officers shall be fixed by the bylaws adopted by the board.

(5) The minute books and archives of the district shall be maintained by the secretary of the board. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district shall be in the official custody of the board.

(6) The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for conducting its business affairs. Rules and regulations of the board relative to the notice and conduct of meetings shall conform to applicable law, including, if applicable, R.S. 42:11 et seq., relative to open meetings. The board shall hold regular meetings as shall be provided for in the bylaws and may hold special meetings at such times and places within the district as may be prescribed in the bylaws.

(7) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall make them available through the secretary of the board.

(8) Each member of the board shall have one vote, and the vote of a majority of the members of the board present and voting, a quorum being present, shall be required to decide any question upon which the board takes action.

(9) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the governance of the district.

E. Powers and duties. The district, acting through its board, shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To sue and be sued.

(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(3) To receive and expend funds collected pursuant to Subsection F of this Section and in accordance with a budget adopted as provided by Subsection H of this Section.

(4) To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public.

(5) To provide or enhance security patrols in the district, to provide for improved lighting, signage, or matters relating to the security of the district, to provide for the beautification of and improvements for the district, or to provide generally for the overall betterment of the district.

(6) To enter into contracts and agreements with one or more other districts for the joint security, improvement, or betterment of all participating districts.

(7) To provide for such services and make such expenditures as the board deems proper for the upkeep of the district.

(8) To acquire or lease items and supplies which the board deems instrumental to achieving the purposes of the district.

(9) To procure and maintain liability insurance against any personal or legal liability of a board member that may be asserted or incurred based upon his service as a member of the board or that may arise as a result of his actions taken within the scope and discharge of his duties as a member of the board.

(10) To perform or have performed any other function or activity necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the district or for the overall betterment of the district.

F. Parcel fee. The governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish is hereby authorized to impose and collect a parcel fee within the district subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection.

(1) The amount of the fee shall be as requested by duly adopted resolution of the board. The fee shall be a flat fee per improved parcel of land not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars per year for each improved parcel, starting with fifty dollars for the first calendar year.

(2) The fee shall be imposed on each improved parcel located within the district except as provided in Paragraph (4) of this Subsection.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "parcel" means a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, an individual tract, or a "condominium parcel" as defined in R.S. 9:1121.103.

(b) The owner of each parcel shall be responsible for payment of the fee.

(3)(a)(i) The fee of fifty dollars for the first calendar year, subject to change thereafter by duly adopted resolution of the board, not to exceed the maximum amount authorized as provided in this Subsection, shall be imposed only after the question of its imposition and the board's authority to increase the fee has been approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district who vote on the proposition at an election held for that purpose in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code.

(ii) No other election shall be required except as provided by this Paragraph.

(b) The initial election on the question of the imposition of the fee shall be held at the same time as a regularly scheduled election in East Baton Rouge Parish.

(c) If approved, the fee and the board's authority to increase it shall expire in five years, but the fee and board authority may be renewed if approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district voting on the proposition at an election as provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph. Any election to authorize the renewal of the fee shall be held only at the same time as the regular scheduled election for East Baton Rouge Parish. If the fee and board authority is renewed, the term of the imposition of the fee shall be as provided in the proposition authorizing such renewal, not to exceed eight years.

(4) No fee shall be imposed upon any parcel whose owner qualifies for and receives the special assessment level provided by Article VII, Section 18(G)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana.

(5) The fee shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem taxes on property subject to taxation by East Baton Rouge Parish are collected.

(6) Any parcel fee which is unpaid shall be added to the tax rolls of East Baton Rouge Parish and shall be enforced with the same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad valorem taxes.

(7)(a) The proceeds of the fee shall be used solely and exclusively for the purpose and benefit of the district; however, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff may retain one percent of the amount collected as a collection fee.

(b) The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff shall remit to the district all amounts collected not more than sixty days after collection.

G. Additional Contributions. The district is authorized to solicit and accept additional voluntary contributions and grants to further the purposes of the district.

H. Budget. (1) The board shall adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301 et seq.

(2) The district shall be subject to audit by the legislative auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

I. Miscellaneous. It is the purpose and intent of this Section that any additional security patrols, public or private, or any other security or other services or betterments provided by the district shall be supplemental to and not be in lieu of personnel and services to be provided in the district by the state of Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish, or their departments or agencies or by other political subdivisions.

J. Dissolution. (1) The district may be dissolved without the vote of the registered voters of the district if a majority of the area covered by the district becomes included in another district that serves similar purposes but includes additional parcels of property adjacent to the district, if approved by the affirmative vote of not less than five members of the board. If the district is dissolved in accordance with this Paragraph, the funds of the district that relate to the portion of the district that is included in the new district, together with any other funds collected by the parish of East Baton Rouge pursuant to this Section that relate to such portion of the district, shall be transferred to the new district to be used for purposes of the new district. The remaining portion of funds, if any, shall be transmitted by the board to the parish of East Baton Rouge and such funds shall be used only for law enforcement, security, improvement, and beautification purposes of the area that was formerly within the district but is not included in the new district.

(2) If the district is dissolved pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the authority for the imposition of the parcel fee provided in Subsection F of this Section shall cease.

K. Indemnification and exculpation. (1) The district shall indemnify its officers and board members to the fullest extent permitted by R.S. 12:227, as fully as if the district were a nonprofit corporation governed thereby, and as may be provided in the district's bylaws.

(2) No board member or officer of the district shall be liable to the district or to any individual who resides, owns property, visits, or otherwise conducts business in the district for monetary damages for breach of his duties as a board member or officer, provided that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a board member or officer for any of the following:

(a) Acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law.

(b) Any transaction from which he derived an improper personal benefit.

(3) To the fullest extent permitted by R.S. 9:2792 et seq., including R.S. 9:2792.1 through 2792.9, a person serving the district as a board member or officer shall not be individually liable for any act or omission arising out of the performance of his duties.

Acts 2010, No. 442, §1, eff. June 22, 2010; Acts 2025, No. 320, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4710.15 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4710.15
Additional hotel occupancy tax authorized
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) In order to provide funds for the purposes of the authority, the authority may levy and collect a tax upon the occupancy of hotel rooms located within the parish of Orleans. The tax shall be in the amount of one percent of the rent or fee charged for such occupancy. The tax shall be in addition to all taxation upon the occupancy of hotel rooms located in the parish of Orleans.

(b) The word "hotel" as used in this Chapter means and includes any establishment that is engaged in the business of furnishing or providing rooms intended or designed for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes to transient guests and that consists of ten or more guest rooms. "Hotel" does not include any hospital, convalescent or nursing home or sanitarium, or hotel-like facility operated by or in connection with a hospital or medical clinic providing rooms exclusively for patients and their families.

(c) The tax shall be paid by the person who exercises or is entitled to occupancy of the hotel room and shall be paid at the time the rent or fee for occupancy is paid. "Person" as used in this Chapter shall have the same definition as that contained in R.S. 47:301(8).

(d) The tax shall not apply to the rent for a hotel room rented to the same occupant for a period of thirty or more consecutive calendar days, nor shall it apply to hotel rooms rented for less than three dollars a day.

(2) The authority shall impose the tax by resolution adopted by the board, which may provide in the resolution necessary and appropriate rules and regulations for the imposition, collection, and enforcement of the tax. The resolution levying and imposing the hotel occupancy tax may not be adopted by the board and no immovable property or leasehold interest may be acquired and no obligation to acquire any immovable property or leasehold interest may be incurred by the authority unless prior thereto the governing authority of the city of New Orleans approves the levy of such tax by a favorable vote of a majority of the members thereof and the question of or proposition to authorize the levy of the tax and the funding of avails thereof into bonds is submitted to the electors of the city at an election called, conducted, canvassed, and promulgated by the governing authority of the city, in accordance with the laws of Louisiana governing the conduct of elections, to authorize the issuance of bonds and the levying of taxes, and a majority of those electors voting in such election have voted in favor of the question or proposition to impose the tax and fund the avails thereof into bonds.

(3) The authority may contract with the state of Louisiana or the city for the collection of the tax, which tax may be collected in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the hotel occupancy tax being imposed by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District on hotels located in the city of New Orleans.

B.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter or other law to the contrary, in order to provide funds for the purposes of the authority, the authority may levy and collect a tax upon the occupancy of hotel rooms located within the parish of Orleans. The tax shall be in the amount of one percent of the rent or fee charged for such occupancy. The tax authorized by this Subsection shall be levied and collected in lieu of the tax authorized by Subsection A of this Section, and at no time shall the authority collect taxes pursuant to both authorizations. The proceeds of the tax levied pursuant to this Subsection are subject to any and all pledges of the proceeds of the tax authorized by Subsection A of this Section.

(2) The authority shall impose the tax by resolution adopted by the board, which may provide in the resolution necessary and appropriate rules and regulations for the imposition, collection, and enforcement of the tax.

(3) The proceeds of the tax, after paying reasonable and necessary costs and expenses of collecting and administering the tax, shall be used for the purposes of providing funds to acquire, construct, reconstruct, extend, improve, maintain, and operate convention, exhibition, and tourist facilities and projects within the parish of Orleans in order to promote the economic growth and development of the parish. The authority may fund the proceeds of the tax into bonds to be issued in series from time to time by the authority for the purpose of defraying the costs of the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension, or improvement of any one or more or any combination of convention, exhibition, and tourist facilities and projects, and the necessary furnishings, machinery, equipment, and appurtenances thereof, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the laws of this state, including particularly this Chapter.

(4) The authority may contract with the state of Louisiana or the city, or both, for the collection of the tax, which tax may be collected in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the hotel occupancy tax now being imposed by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District on hotels located in the city of New Orleans.

(5) Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 178, §2, eff. June 8, 2025.

Acts 2019, No. 172, §1; Acts 2025, No. 178, §2, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:2805 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 2805
Millage limitation; special districts in Jefferson Parish; exception with voter approval
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of law which limits ad valorem tax millage to be imposed, the governing authority of any special district whose boundaries are wholly within the boundaries of the parish of Jefferson may propose and levy special millages in excess thereof, provided such levy is not inconsistent with the parish charter or the Constitution of Louisiana, for a period not to exceed ten years, if the question of levying such tax is approved by a favorable vote of a majority of the electors of the district voting in an election called for that purpose.

Acts 1992, No. 36, §1, eff. May 29, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4558 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4558
Exercise of police power over municipally-owned places of amusement
Status: in_force

Any municipality may exercise unlimited police power for the preservation of peace and order, comfort, convenience, and good conduct upon all parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and other places of amusement owned and operated by the municipality, within or outside their corporate limits, may pass any ordinance necessary for these purposes, and may impose penalties for violations of the ordinance. The police officers of the municipality may make arrests for violations of the ordinance within or without the corporate limits of the municipality.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:3310 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 3310
Delivery of certificates; use of proceeds
Status: in_force

The governing authority of the municipality issuing the certificates, may, by resolution, authorize the chief executive officer, and the clerk or secretary, to negotiate and deliver the paving certificates and collect the purchase price therefor and do any and all things necessary and incidental thereto, or authorize delivery to the contractor of all or any of the certificates in payment of their contractual obligation covering the improvements. The funds derived from the sale of the paving certificates shall be expended solely in payment of the costs of the improvements, and shall not be drawn upon for any other purpose.
La. Rev. Stat. § 33:4720.132 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 33 / Section 4720.132
Authority
Status: in_force

The Jefferson Parish Redevelopment Authority shall have all the authority and power necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Chapter, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following authority which shall be in addition to others herein granted:

(1) To undertake and carry out community improvement projects and related activities in accordance with the parish's comprehensive plan within its area of operation; and to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its authority under this Chapter; and to disseminate slum clearance and community improvement information.

(2) To provide or to arrange or contract for the furnishing or repair by any person or agency, public or private, of services, privileges, works, streets, roads, public utilities, or other facilities for or in connection with, a community improvement project, to install, construct, and reconstruct streets, utilities, parks, playgrounds, and other public improvements; and to agree to and fulfill any conditions that it may deem reasonable and appropriate attached to federal financial assistance and imposed pursuant to federal law in the undertaking or carrying out of a community improvement project and related activities, and to include in any contract let in connection with such a project and related activities, provisions to fulfill such of said conditions as it may deem reasonable and appropriate.

(3) Within its area of operation, to acquire by purchase, lease, option, gift, grant, bequest, device, expropriation, or otherwise any real property (or personal property for its administrative purposes) together with any improvements thereon; to hold, improve, clear, or prepare for redevelopment of any such property; to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any real property; to insure or provide for the insurance of any real or personal property or operations of the parish against any risks or hazards, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance; and to enter into any contracts necessary to effectuate the purpose of this Chapter; however, no statutory provision with respect to the clearance or disposition of property by public bodies shall restrict the authority exercising powers thereunder, in the exercise of such functions with respect to a community improvement project and related activities, unless the legislature shall specifically so state.

(4) With the approval of the local governing body, after a public hearing as provided in R.S. 33:4720.133(C) prior to approval of a community improvement plan, or approval of any modification of the plan, to acquire real property in a community improvement area, demolish and remove any structures on the property, and pay all costs related to the acquisition, demolition, or removal, including any administrative or relocation expenses; the local governing body may agree to assume the responsibility to bear any loss that may arise as the result of the exercise of authority under this Paragraph in the event that the real property is not made a part of the community improvement plan or project.

(5) To invest any community improvement funds held in reserve or sinking funds or in any such funds not required for immediate disbursement, in property or securities in which public bodies may legally invest funds subject to their control, to redeem such bonds as have been issued pursuant to R.S. 33:4720.137 at the redemption price established therein or to purchase such bonds at less than redemption price, all such bonds so redeemed or purchased to be canceled.

(6) To borrow money and to apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of assistance from the federal government, the state, parish, or other public bodies, or from any sources, public or private, for the purposes of this Chapter, and to give such security as may be required and to enter into and carry out contracts or agreements in connection therewith; and to include in any contract for financial assistance with the federal government for or with respect to a community improvement project and related activities, such conditions imposed pursuant to federal laws as the authority may deem reasonable and appropriate and which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter.

(7) Within its area of operation, to make or have made all surveys and plans necessary to the carrying out of the purposes of this Chapter and to contract with any person, public or private, in the making and carrying out of such plans and to adopt or approve, modify, and amend such plans, which plans may include but are not limited to:

(a) Plans for carrying out a program of voluntary or compulsory repair or rehabilitation of buildings and improvements.

(b) Plans for the enforcement of state and local laws, codes, and regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements and for the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements.

(c) Appraisals, title searches, surveys, studies, and other plans and work necessary to prepare for the undertaking of community improvement projects and related activities.

(8) To develop, test, and report methods and techniques, and carry out demonstrations and other activities within its area of operation, for the prevention and the elimination of slums and urban blight and developing and demonstrating new or improved means of providing housing for families and persons of low income and to apply for, accept, and utilize grants of funds from the federal government for such purposes.

(9) To prepare plans for and assist in the relocation of persons, including individuals, families, business concerns, nonprofit organizations, and others, displaced from a community improvement area and to make relocation payments to or with respect to such persons for moving and readjustment expenses and losses of property for which reimbursement or compensation is not otherwise made, including the making of such payments financed by the federal government. However, no person shall be required to vacate premises from which he is being displaced until the authority has demonstrated the availability of reasonably suitable relocation resources.

(10) To provide, wherever feasible, a preference to such displaced persons, consistent with their status at the time of displacement, including but not limited to a homeowner, tenant, or operator of a business, to return to a community improvement area after its redevelopment, improvement, repair, or rehabilitation and to make payment or reimbursement of reasonable actual costs incurred as a result of utility relocations when such relocations are made necessary in a redevelopment area, after making appropriate adjustment for any improvements or betterments to the utility's facilities made in connection with the relocation.

(11) To close or cause to be closed, vacate, plan, or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways, or other places and to plan or cause to be replanned any part of the parish in accordance with all applicable laws and R.S. 33:4720.133.

(12) To sue and to be sued; adopt and have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to make, amend, and repeal bylaws, orders, rules, and regulations in order to effectuate the provisions of this Chapter.

(13) To enter into agreements and contracts with any public body, in pursuance of the intent of this Chapter.

(14) To make available to the parish or any appropriate government agency, the recommendation of the authority affecting any area in its field of operation or property therein, which it may deem likely to promote the public health, morals, safety, or welfare.

(15) To rent or to provide by any other means suitable quarters for the use of the authority or to accept the use of such quarters as may be furnished by the parish, or other public body and to equip such quarters with such fixtures, furnishings, records, and supplies as the authority may deem necessary to enable it to exercise its powers under this Chapter.

(16) To receive and expend such funds as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Chapter, to apply for, accept, and utilize loans, advances, or grants of funds from the federal government or other sources for any of the purposes of this Chapter.

(17) To exercise all or any part or combination of powers granted to it in this Chapter.

Acts 2007, No. 390, §1, eff. July 10, 2007.