La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1794 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1794
Meetings of commissioners; powers; salaries and expenses
Status: in_force

A. The provisions of this Subsection pertain to commissioners of gravity drainage districts in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, notwithstanding any provisions of other Subsections in this Section to the contrary. The words "commissioner", "commissioners", or "board of commissioners" used in this Subsection mean and refer to commissioners of drainage districts in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

(1) Commissioners of drainage districts in Calcasieu Parish appointed hereunder shall hold at least one meeting in every year. Commissioners shall meet at stated times that they shall fix and determine by resolution. Special meetings may be called by any commissioner or by the secretary of the board. All expenses of administration, salaries of officers, and other expenses shall be paid out of any funds in the hands of the treasurer belonging to the district after the items, bills, salaries, or expenses have been approved at a meeting of the board of commissioners.

(2)(a) Members of the board of commissioners are authorized to receive compensation not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars per day as may be determined by the board of commissioners for every day a commission member is actually employed in the service of the district and may be reimbursed any expenses incurred in performing the duties imposed upon him by virtue of his appointment.

(b) Any commissioner who is prevented from attending a regular or special meeting of the board by virtue of the fact that he is required to be out of the district on business of the district during the time of such meeting is entitled to be counted as present at such meeting for the purpose of computing per diem hereunder, provided that when any commissioner is required to conduct business of the district in or out of the district equal to or in excess of the time normally or customarily consumed in a regular or special meeting of the board of commissioners shall be entitled to compensation at the same rate as hereinabove provided in the case of a regular or special meeting.

(c) No member of the board of commissioners of the Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 1 and the Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2 of Calcasieu Parish shall be paid per diem for more than forty-eight days in any one year. However, one elected officer designated by the board of commissioners may receive a per diem for not more than twelve additional days for each day spent performing administrative duties if such additional compensation is approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire board at a meeting of the board.

B.(1) Commissioners of drainage districts appointed hereunder shall hold at least one meeting in every year. They shall meet at stated times which they shall fix and determine by resolution. Special meetings may be called by any commissioner or by the secretary of the board. All expenses of administration, salaries of officers, etc., shall be paid out of any funds in the hands of the treasurer belonging to the district after the items, bills, salaries, or expenses shall have been approved at a meeting of the board of commissioners.

(2)(a) Members of the board of commissioners are authorized to receive compensation of not more than one hundred fifty dollars per day as determined by the board for each day such member shall be in actual attendance upon the regular or special meeting of the board, not to exceed thirty-six days in one year, and may be reimbursed any expenses actually incurred in performing the duties imposed upon him by virtue of his appointment. Any increase in compensation or increase or reimbursement of any kind to members of the board of commissioners must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members of the board after public hearing, which has been advertised in the official journal of the drainage district on at least two separate occasions within a period of fifteen days preceding the meeting at which the vote is taken.

(b) One member, designated by the board, may receive the per diem for each day spent at a board meeting or otherwise performing duties on behalf of the board in furtherance of the purposes of the district, subject to approval of two-thirds vote of the entire board at a meeting of the board. The annual limit on days of per diem shall not apply to this member.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the provisions of this Paragraph shall apply to the board of commissioners of Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 1 of Tangipahoa Parish:

(a) The board of commissioners of the district shall, by resolution, fix a time and place for the holding of its regular meeting and shall hold at least two regular meetings in every month. Special meetings may be held at such times and places as specified by call of any commissioner or the secretary of the board.

(b)(i) Members of the board of commissioners of the district may receive compensation of not more than five hundred dollars per month, as determined by the board of commissioners, for performing the duties imposed upon a member by virtue of his appointment.

(ii) The board of commissioners may reimburse any member for expenses actually incurred in the attendance of meetings or in the performance of duties on behalf of the district which occur outside of the district.

(iii) Any increase in compensation or reimbursement for expenses of any kind to members of the board of commissioners shall be approved by two-thirds vote of the membership of the board of commissioners after holding a public hearing on such matter. The public hearing shall be advertised in the official journal of the district on at least two separate occasions within a period of fifteen days preceding the meeting at which the public hearing is held and the vote is taken.

(c) Except as provided in Item (b)(iii) of this Paragraph, all expenses of administration, salaries of officers, and other expenses shall be paid by the treasurer out of the funds of the district after any such expense has been approved at a meeting of the board of commissioners.

(d) The provisions of Subparagraph (2)(b) of this Subsection shall not apply to the board of commissioners of the district.

C. The board of commissioners of the drainage district shall have absolute control over the drainage of the districts or any sub-districts within its limits and may construct all necessary works and make all necessary drains, ditches, and canals for the purpose of gravity drainage thereof. The board of commissioners may adopt all needful regulations necessary to maintain free and unobstructed the flow of water through the gravity canals, ditches, and drains. The board of commissioners may require that where any fence traverses any drainage canal constructed, dredged, controlled, or maintained by the drainage district there shall be provided a flood gate at the point where the fence crosses the drain, ditch, or canal so constructed as to rise and fall with the pressure of the water and permit the free flow of the water through it. The flood gates shall, as to existing fences, be constructed by the owner of the fence within forty-five days from date of service of written notice sent to him by the board of commissioners of the drainage district. Upon the refusal or failure of the fence owner to construct the flood gates the board of commissioners of the drainage district may construct the flood gate at the expense of the owner of the fence and collect for the cost of the flood gate by suit before any court of competent jurisdiction.

D. Said board of commissioners of the drainage district may pass all needful regulations necessary to keep the beds and the banks of all canals, drains and ditches under their supervision and control free from underbrush, trees, and weeds so as to properly maintain the drainage through these canals, drains, and ditches.

E. Police juries of the various parishes may include within a drainage district or subdrainage district lands and territory situated in an incorporated town or municipal corporation, although the charter of the municipal corporation may exempt the land from the authority of the police jury for parish purposes. Nothing herein contained shall curtail or limit the authority or power of the municipality to carry on drainage works within the municipality in any manner or under any rules or resolutions which the governing body of the municipality shall deem expedient.

F.(1) The provisions of this Subsection pertain to commissioners of the Bayou Plaquemine-Wycoff Gravity Drainage District in Acadia Parish, the First Ward Drainage District in Acadia Parish, the Second Ward Gravity Drainage District No. 1 in Acadia Parish, the Second Ward Gravity Drainage District No. 2 in Acadia Parish, and the Bayou Mallet Gravity Drainage District in Acadia and St. Landry parishes, notwithstanding any provisions of other Subsections in this Section to the contrary.

(2) The words "commissioner", "commissioners", or "board of commissioners" used in this Subsection shall mean and refer to commissioners of Bayou Plaquemine-Wycoff Gravity Drainage District in Acadia Parish, the First Ward Drainage District in Acadia Parish, the Second Ward Gravity Drainage District No. 1 in Acadia Parish, the Second Ward Gravity Drainage District No. 2 in Acadia Parish, and the Bayou Mallet Gravity Drainage District in Acadia and St. Landry parishes.

(3) Members of the board of commissioners may receive compensation not to exceed one hundred dollars per day as may be determined by the board of commissioners for every day a commission member is actually employed in the services of the district and may be reimbursed any expenses incurred in performing the duties imposed upon him by virtue of his appointment. Any commissioner who is prevented from attending a regular or special meeting of the board by virtue of the fact that he is required to be out of the district on business of the district during the time of such meeting is entitled to be counted as present at such meeting for the purpose of computing per diem hereunder; provided that when any commissioner is required to conduct business of the district in or out of the district equal to or in excess of the time normally or customarily consumed in a regular or special meeting of the board of commissioners, he shall be entitled to compensation at the same rate as hereinabove provided in the case of a regular or special meeting. Each member of the board of commissioners shall not be paid per diem for more than thirty-six days in any one year.

G. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, or any other law to the contrary, the per diem allowance for commissioners of the Iberville Parish Gravity Drainage District Number One shall be one hundred dollars.

Amended by Acts 1956, No. 347, §1; Acts 1970, No. 79, §1; Acts 1977, No. 189, §1; Acts 1979, No. 679, §1; Acts 1980, No. 185, §1; Acts 1980, No. 468, §§1, 2; Acts 1982, No. 614, §2; Acts 1984, No. 33, §1; Acts 2001, No. 356, §1; Acts 2004, No. 863, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2010, No. 475, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2018, No. 340, §1; Acts 2020, No. 262, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2110 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2110
Officers of board; bond of secretary-treasurer
Status: in_force

At the time and place designated by the police jury in the ordinance creating the irrigation district, or as soon thereafter as possible, the commissioners appointed in the ordinance shall meet and immediately organize by electing officers as follows: They shall elect from among their number a president to preside over the meetings of the commissioners and to perform any other duties as are usually required of presidents of corporate bodies. The vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in case of his absence or disability.

The commissioners shall also elect a secretary-treasurer, who need not be a commissioner, who shall perform all duties required of him by the commissioners.

The secretary-treasurer shall furnish bond in a sum fixed by the board of commissioners, which bond shall not be for less than one-fourth over and above any amount that may come into the possession of the secretary-treasurer, and which bond shall be increased or diminished accordingly. The premium on the bond shall be paid by the district. The secretary-treasurer shall receive compensation, not in excess of two hundred fifty dollars per month, as the board of commissioners may determine.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2840 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2840
Tax exemption
Status: in_force

The lands which lie within and form the Black Bayou Lake proper shall not be subject to any ad valorem taxation or any other tax of any nature whatsoever by either the State of Louisiana or any of its political subdivisions, for so long as the said lands shall form and lie within the lake proper. All property acquired, however, regardless of the manner in which it is acquired or the source from which it is acquired, shall thereafter become the property of the State of Louisiana for the use and benefit of the Black Bayou Watershed District.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 262, §20.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2330 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2330
Bonds
Status: in_force

A. For the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition (by purchase, construction or otherwise) of any property or facilities which the Authority is authorized to acquire hereunder, including the acquisition of water rights, and for extending and improving any such property and facilities, the Authority may from time to time issue its bonds in anticipation of the collection of its revenues, which bonds shall be fully negotiable for all purposes of the Negotiable Instruments Law as it may now or hereafter be in effect in this state. The Authority may pledge to the payment of such bonds all or any part of its revenues, but such bonds shall never be payable as to either principal or interest from the proceeds of ad valorem taxes and shall not constitute an indebtedness of the Authority within the meaning of any constitutional limitation. Bonds issued hereunder for purposes other than refunding shall never be issued in an amount which would cause the total outstanding bonded indebtedness of the Authority, including refunding bonds theretofore issued, to exceed $50,000,000. There may be included in the amount of any such bond issue reasonable allowance for legal, engineering and fiscal services, interest during construction and for one year after the estimated date of completion of construction, and other expenses in connection with the authorization and issuance of the bonds and the acquisition or construction of the improvements, and, in the case of the first issue of bonds hereunder, including the expenses of incorporating the Authority.

B. Such bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the board of commissioners and may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may mature at such time or times not exceeding sixty years from their respective dates, may bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding six per cent per annum, may be in such form, either coupon or registered, may be executed in such manner, may be payable in such medium of payment at such place or places within or without the state, may be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium, may contain such terms, covenants and conditions and may be sold in such manner and upon such terms as the board of commissioners may by resolution determine, provided that the bonds may not be sold on a basis which will result in a net interest cost to maturity in excess of six per cent per annum. Pending the preparation of any series of bonds, interim receipts or certificates in such form and with such provisions as the board of commissioners may determine, may be issued to the purchasers of the bonds. The board of commissioners may provide that the signatures of one or more officials appearing on the face of the bonds shall be facsimiles of such signatures. All such bonds shall be approved by the State Bond and Tax Board prior to issuance.

C. Any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder may contain covenants, including but not limited to:

(a) The purpose or purposes to which the proceeds of the sale of the bonds may be applied and the deposit, use and disposition thereof;

(b) The use, deposit, securing of deposits, and disposition of the revenues of the Authority, including the creation and maintenance of reserves;

(c) The issuance of additional obligations payable from the revenues of the Authority;

(d) The operation and maintenance of the properties of the Authority;

(e) The insurance to be carried thereon and the use, deposit and disposition of insurance moneys;

(f) Books of account and records and the inspection and audit thereof and the accounting methods of the Authority;

(g) The non-rendering of any free service by the Authority;

(h) The preservation of the properties of the Authority free from any mortgage, sale, lease or other encumbrance not specifically permitted by the terms of the resolution; and

(i) The appointment and the powers and duties of any trustee who may be named in such resolution for the purpose of carrying out functions designed to safeguard the security of such bonds.

D. If any default be made in the payment of the principal of or interest on any bonds issued hereunder, any court having jurisdiction of the action may appoint a receiver to administer the properties, the revenues of which are pledged to the payment of such bonds, with power to make and collect rates and charges sufficient to provide for the payment of all bonds and obligations payable from such revenues and for the payment of operating expenses, and to apply the income and revenues thereof in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter and with the covenants and provisions contained in the resolution or resolutions authorizing such bonds.

E. Any bonds issued hereunder bearing the signatures of officers in office on the date of the signing thereof shall be valid and binding obligations notwithstanding that before the delivery thereof any or all persons whose signatures appear thereon shall have ceased to be officers of the Authority. The resolution authorizing the bonds may provide that the bonds shall contain a recital that they are issued pursuant to this Chapter, which recital shall be conclusive evidence of their validity and of the regularity of their issuance.

F. While any bonds are outstanding hereunder it shall be the duty of the board of commissioners to fix and from time to time to revise the rates of compensation for all commodities and services sold or rendered by the Authority which will be fully adequate to pay the expenses of operating and maintaining the Authority and its properties, to pay principal of and interest on its obligations promptly as principal and interest fall due and to carry out all of the provisions and covenants of the resolution or resolutions authorizing such bonds. Nothing contained in this Section shall be so construed as to prevent the execution of leases or agreements by the Authority providing for the lease of properties of the Authority or the sale of commodities and services sold or rendered by the Authority at fixed rentals or prices for a term of years, provided that the rentals or prices so named are at the time of the execution of any such lease or agreement, together with the other reasonably anticipated revenues of the Authority, sufficient to assure the ability of the Authority to carry out the requirements of this Chapter and the requirements of the resolution or resolutions authorizing its bonds.

G. The board of commissioners may provide by resolutions for the issuance of bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds hereafter outstanding under the provisions of this Chapter. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and the duties of the Authority with respect thereto shall be governed by the provisions of this Chapter affecting the issuance of other bonds in so far as such provisions may be applicable. Such refunding bonds need not necessarily be secured in the same manner as were the bonds refunded. Such refunding bonds may either be issued in exchange for the bonds refunded or may be issued in such manner that the proceeds of the sale thereof will be applied to the payment of the bonds refunded, which payment may be made either simultaneously with the delivery of the refunding bonds or, if the bonds to be refunded have become due or will become due within six months of the date of the delivery of the refunding bonds either through maturity or through call for redemption pursuant to an option of redemption reserved therein may be made through the escrow of the proceeds of the refunding bonds with one of the paying agents for the bonds to be so refunded pursuant to instructions which will assure the proper application of such proceeds to the intended purpose.

H. Any bonds issued hereunder may, in the discretion of the board of commissioners, be additionally secured by deed of trust or mortgage lien upon all or any part of the properties and revenues of the Authority and all franchises, easements, water rights, appropriations, permits, leases, contracts and other rights appurtenant to such properties, which deed of trust or mortgage may vest in the trustee thereunder power to sell the encumbered properties for payment of the bonds secured thereby and power to operate such properties, and may contain all other provisions customarily contained in instruments of like kind. Such deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to foreclosure in the manner therein provided and any purchaser of the properties encumbered thereby, either at foreclosure sale or at a sale by the trustee pursuant to provisions therein contained, is hereby granted a franchise for the operation of the properties so purchased for a period of thirty years from the date of such purchase.

Added by Acts 1950, No. 261, §11. Amended by Acts 1956, No. 432, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1797 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1797
Duties of Department of Public Works
Status: in_force

The Department of Public Works shall upon request advise, without cost, the governing authority of any gravity drainage district or gravity sub-drainage district, as to the desirability, sufficiency, and practicability of any contemplated works and may make the necessary surveys and examinations therefor.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2217 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2217
Independent arbitration; judicial review; evidence
Status: in_force

In all public building, construction or other contracts which do not provide the right to independent arbitration with both parties having equal authority in selection of the arbitrator or arbitrators, the right of each party to such contract to judicial review of and redress for any action, determination or interpretation made under or with respect to such contract shall not be denied. In any such judicial action, no prior nonjudicial decision, determination or interpretation shall have any binding or conclusive or presumptive effect, nor shall there be any limitation upon the evidence which may be introduced in such action except the limitations arising out of the application of the rules of evidence applicable in courts of this state. The provisions of this Section may not be waived.

Acts 1977, No. 103, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2257 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2257
"Louisiana firm" defined
Status: in_force

The term "Louisiana firm" shall be construed to mean any person or persons, partnership, company, association or corporation authorized to do and doing business under the laws of the State of Louisiana, paying all taxes duly assessed, having a bona fide residence in this state, owning or leasing a printing plant equipped with machinery and equipment capable of producing the work, office supply or stationery store maintaining an inventory therein with storage facilities and actually engaged in the printing, or office supply or stationery business in Louisiana.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 318, §7. Amended by Acts 1960, No. 502, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2212.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2212.2
Demolition of state buildings
Status: in_force

A. No building or structure owned by the state of Louisiana, except highways, bridges, railroads, and integrated coastal protection projects as defined by R.S. 49:214.2(11) and (14), may be razed, demolished, or otherwise disposed of unless all members of the legislature representing the district in which the state-owned building is located are notified by the division of administration at the initiation of the approval process that a request by any agency for such demolition has been received by that office or that office has determined that the approval process for such demolition shall be initiated, and until authority for such disposition has been approved in writing by the director of the office of facility planning and control, division of administration. Except as provided in Subsection C of this Section, in no case shall a request for such authority be approved before thirty days after legislative notification. The request for authority to raze or demolish any building or structure as described shall be in compliance with procedures adopted and promulgated by the division of administration. Such requests shall be accompanied by a resolution or other authorization of the agency, board, commission, or other governing authority.

B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to buildings acquired with the right-of-way for construction or improvement of state highways.

C. The director of the office of facility planning and control, division of administration, may approve a request to raze or demolish any building or structure immediately after legislative notification in situations where a building or structure has been damaged as a result of fire, hurricane, or natural disaster and imminent danger is presented to life or property, as determined by the office of facility planning and control.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 537, §1. Redesignated by Acts 1999, No. 768, §3; Acts 2006, No. 13, §1, eff. May 4, 2006; Acts 2014, No. 447, §1, eff. June 4, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.342 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.342
Location
Status: in_force

The district shall be comprised of the area of Lake St. John and all of the land between the centerlines of Louisiana Highways 568 and 569 and Lake St. John located within the parish of Concordia.

Acts 2005, No. 214, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2105 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2105
Name of district
Status: in_force

Irrigation districts created under this Part shall be known as irrigation districts, with any other name or number that the police jury may designate. The name suggested in the petition shall be designated by the police jury unless the same conflicts with the name of an existing irrigation district created by the police jury, in which event the police jury shall exercise its discretion in designating the name of the irrigation district.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2353 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2353
Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board
Status: in_force

A. The Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board is hereby created within the Department of Transportation and Development. The board is hereby established, and shall exercise the powers and duties set forth in this Chapter or otherwise provided by law. The department shall provide any necessary staffing for the board. The provisions of R.S. 44:5(A) shall not be applicable to any activities or records of or pertaining to the authority.

B.(1) The Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board shall consist of no more than sixteen members, selected by the governor, representing the following:

(a) The Red River Waterway District, nominated by the commission.

(b) The office of multimodal commerce. The commissioner shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(c) Statewide flood protection. The chief resiliency officer shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(d) Louisiana Economic Development. The secretary of the department shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(e) The North Louisiana Economic Partnership. The executive director shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(f) The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The lieutenant governor shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(g) Ports, located within the upland parishes, whole or in part.

(h) A levee board located within the upland parishes, whole or in part.

(i) Duly elected members of the executive branch of local government located within the upland parishes, whole or in part.

(j) The Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The commissioner shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(k) Industry operating and located within the upland parishes, whole or in part. The executive directors of the Red River Valley Association and Ouachita River Valley Association, shall serve until, or without, express gubernatorial designation of an alternative.

(l) The Tensas Basin Levee District, nominated by the Tensas Basin Levee District.

(2) The board shall not consist of more than two port directors and no more than two levee boards.

C. Any member of the board who represents a political subdivision shall recuse himself from deliberations and from voting on any matter concerning the taking of action against that political subdivision for lack of compliance with the master or annual plan.

D. The chair of the board shall be appointed by the governor.

Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 6
Cooperation with drainage districts, levee boards, and political subdivisions
Status: in_force

The Department of Transportation and Development may also cooperate with any drainage or subdrainage district, any gravity drainage or gravity subdrainage district, any levee board, or any political subdivision, now or hereafter organized in accordance with law, upon any terms and conditions prescribed by the department. For all upland areas as defined in R.S. 38:2352, the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority shall serve as the coordinating entity consistent with this Title. The department shall assess and collect fees for the engineering services it provides to drainage districts, levee boards, and political subdivisions, other than state or federally funded projects.

Acts 1986, No. 110, §1; Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.150 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.150
Supervision by Department of Transportation and Development
Status: in_force

All of the powers and duties relative to construction and letting of contracts for construction required to be advertised by R.S. 38:2211 and 2212 conferred upon the district shall be subject to and exercised under the supervisory control of the Department of Transportation and Development of the state of Louisiana, which department shall furnish to the district such engineering services as it shall require and may cooperate with the district in the construction of any work or facility considered necessary by the district and said department to the purposes of the district.

Acts 2001, No. 474, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2876 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2876
Property exempt from taxation
Status: in_force

The lands which lie within and form the Lake Claiborne proper shall not be subject to any ad valorem taxation or any other tax of any nature whatsoever by either the State of Louisiana or any of its political subdivisions, for so long as the said lands shall form and lie within the lake proper. All property acquired, however, regardless of the manner in which it is acquired or the source from which it is acquired, shall thereafter become the property of the State of Louisiana for the use and benefit of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 299, §16.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1704 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1704
Organization of districts
Status: in_force

The same forms and procedure, except as herein otherwise provided, shall be observed as to the creation and organization of drainage districts under this Part as are provided under R.S. 38:1601 through 38:1675. The drainage districts, created under the provisions of this Part, shall then be subject in all respects, except as herein otherwise provided, to the provisions of R.S. 38:1601 through 38:1675 except that the board of commissioners of the drainage district will not be required to follow the steps or requirements of these Sections which are inconsistent with or rendered unnecessary by the work that has already been done prior to organization. The creation of the drainage district shall not have the effect of in any way invalidating any indebtedness, liability or contract of any nature incurred under any former organization, but all indebtedness, liability, or contract shall attach to and become the debt or liability of the new organization or of the lands originally liable, until the debt or liability is fully paid and discharged. All debts owing to, and all property or contract rights, privileges, and immunities held or enjoyed under any former organization shall be held and enjoyed by the new district or the respective sub-districts thereof when the district shall organize under the provisions of this Part. No right of action shall exist nor remedy be allowed against any of the lands in any drainage district organized under the provisions of this Part by virtue of any contract or contracts made by or on behalf of any lands prior to its organization as herein provided for, which did not exist or was not allowed by statute against the lands prior to the time of organization as herein provided.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2242
Claimant defined; filing of sworn statements of amounts due; payment by contracting authority
Status: in_force

A. "Claimant", as used in this Chapter, means any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or supplies for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works, or for transporting and delivering such materials or supplies to the site of the job by a for-hire carrier, or for furnishing oil, gas, electricity, or other materials or supplies for use in machines used in the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works, including persons to whom money is due for the lease or rental of movable property used at the site of the immovable and leased to the owner, contractor, or subcontractor by written contract, and including registered or certified surveyors or engineers or consulting engineers, or licensed architects, or their professional subconsultants employed by the owner or by the contractor or subcontractor in connection with the building of any public work.

B. Any claimant may after the maturity of his claim and within forty-five days after the recordation of acceptance of the work by the governing authority or of notice of default of the contractor or subcontractor, file a sworn statement of the amount due him with the governing authority having the work done and record it in the office of the recorder of mortgages for the parish in which the work is done.

C.(1) To be entitled to assert the claim given by Subsection B of this Section the lessor of the movables shall deliver a copy of the lease to the owner not more than ten days after the movables are first placed at the site of the immovable for use in the work.

(2) The claim or privilege granted the lessor of the movables by Subsection B of this Section is limited to and secures only the part of the rentals accruing during the time the movable is located at the site of the immovable for use in a work. A movable shall be deemed not located at the site of the immovable for use in a work after:

(a) The work is substantially completed or abandoned; or

(b) The notice of termination of the work is filed; or

(c) The lessee has abandoned the movable, or use of the movable in a work is completed or no longer necessary, and the owner or contractor gives written notice to the lessor of abandonment or completion of use.

D. When an awarding authority makes final payment to the contractor without deducting the total amount of all outstanding claims so served on it or without obtaining a bond from the contractor to cover the total amount of all outstanding claims, the awarding authority shall become liable for the amount of these claims.

E. If an architect or engineer has not been employed by the contractor or subcontractor, he shall have no claim to or privilege on the funds due the contractor or subcontractor, nor shall such architect or engineer be within the coverage of the payment and performance bond required of the contractor by R.S. 38:2241.

F. In addition to the other provisions of this Section, if the materialman has not been paid by the subcontractor and has not sent notice of nonpayment to the general contractor and the owner, then the materialman shall lose his right to file a privilege or lien on the immovable property. The return receipt indicating that certified mail was properly addressed to the last known address of the general contractor and the owner and deposited in the U.S. mail on or before seventy-five days from the last day of the month in which the material was delivered, regardless of whether the certified mail was actually delivered, refused, or unclaimed satisfies the notice provision hereof or no later than the statutory lien period, whichever comes first. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply only to disputes arising out of recorded contracts.

Amended by Acts 1960, No. 59, §1; Acts 1966, No. 537, §1; Acts 1977, No. 253, §1; Acts 1979, No. 406, §2; Acts 1984, No. 703, §1; Acts 1985, No. 244, §1; Acts 1986, No. 158, §1; Acts 1986, No. 195, §1, eff. June 28, 1986; Acts 1989, No. 305, §§1, 2; Acts 1990, No. 913, §1; Acts 1990, No. 984, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1134, §2; Acts 2004, No. 440, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2822 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2822
District as political subdivision and budgetary unit; purpose
Status: in_force

The Black Bayou Watershed District shall be a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana and a budgetary unit of the State of Louisiana, which shall have as its purpose the conservation of soil and water, developing the natural resources and wealth of the district for sanitary, agricultural and recreational purposes, as the same may be conducive to the public health, safety, convenience or welfare or of public utility or benefit. The maintenance of the Black Bayou Lake within the said district as hereinafter authorized shall be for the purpose of conserving the soil and water and developing the natural resources and wealth of the district for sanitary, agricultural or recreational purposes, as the same may be conducive to the public health or public utility or benefit.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 262, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.81 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.81
State departments; authority of corporation
Status: in_force

Nothing in this Part shall be construed to impede or interfere with the control and supervision of the wildlife of the state by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission or the regulatory authority of the Department of Environmental Quality and its officers. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Department of Environmental Quality shall assist the board of commissioners in the conduct of its duties and functions and the board shall advise and consult with the departments in matters relating to their respective powers and responsibilities.

Acts 1995, No. 345, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.46 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.46
Regulation of commercial establishments
Status: in_force

A. The board of commissioners shall have authority:

(1) To establish and cause to be enforced rules and regulations pertaining to all commercial establishments which may be constructed for the purpose of commercializing and making commercial use of the creek or its facilities.

(2) To license and permit such establishments and to levy and collect a fee, to be fixed by the commission, for the privilege of making commercial use of the facilities of the creek.

B. The rules and regulations established and promulgated by the board of commissioners pursuant to this Section shall provide penalties for any commercial establishment operating without a permit or license.

Acts 1995, No. 443, §1, eff. June 17, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:32 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 32
Louisiana Water Resources Program; powers, duties, and functions
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established in the office of engineering the Louisiana Water Resources Program, the purpose of which shall be planning for the wise management of Louisiana's water resources on a statewide basis. This purpose shall be fulfilled through the implementation of the powers, duties, and functions of the office of engineering as described in Subsection B of this Section.

B. The office of engineering shall be authorized to engage in the following activities:

(1) To engage in water resources and sewerage research on a statewide basis.

(2) To develop a data information base for water resources and sewerage for use in planning and decision-making by the office and by governmental entities through maintenance of records of water users from rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs by requiring diverters of water to provide data as to pump and pipe size used to divert waters, the area or location served, the period of time water is withdrawn, and the purpose for which the diversion is made.

(3) To develop statewide water resources plans to assure the availability, safe use, and wise management of the state's water resources in both the short and long terms. All plans shall be developed in coordination with the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority for the noncoastal area of the state.

(4) To cooperate with and provide technical assistance to any governmental entity or special district with respect to the development and implementation of local and regional water projects.

(5) To establish priorities consistent with water resources plans and with program priorities as developed in the office of environmental affairs, where applicable on an annual basis, for the award of funds to governmental entities for projects and to submit a report thereon to the governor of the state, the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

(6) To solicit from the state's eight regional planning commissions their recommendations for funding of projects within their areas of jurisdiction.

(7) To hold public hearings to receive input from regional planning commissions and other interested persons with respect to the development of the priority listing of projects to be recommended to the governor, the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

(8) To negotiate contracts or compacts with the federal government or with the governments of other states to obtain their assistance and cooperation for the planning and development of water resources and sewerage systems in accordance with program priorities as developed in the office of environmental affairs, where applicable.

(9) To propose for inclusion in the priority report to the governor, the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget funding for the state's share of projects involving the participation of two or more states or the federal government.

(10) To fulfill the state's contractual agreements regarding projects involving federal funds.

(11) To adopt rules and regulations for determining priorities of projects for funding so as to ensure an equitable and fair distribution of available funds. Rules and regulations may require, at a minimum, consideration of the following factors:

(a) The needs of the area to be served by the project and the benefit to be realized thereby as compared to the needs of other areas requesting assistance.

(b) The relationship and consistency of the project to the state's policy for water resources management.

(c) The ability of the governmental entity to finance the project without capital outlay assistance.

(d) The background of the entity with respect to past measures to limit waste and to conserve water.

(12) To perform any other function deemed necessary, proper, or expedient in order to accomplish its responsibilities as provided by this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 625, §1. Acts 1987, No. 708, §1; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5; Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1674.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1674.3
Plans and specifications; advertisement for bids
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners, after having given notice of its intention as above set forth, and after hearing and disposing of all objections and having decided to order the construction of such improvements, may without further delay have the necessary plans and specifications for said work prepared and adopt a resolution authorizing the advertisement for bids therefor by the giving of notice to be signed by the president or vice-president of the board, to be published for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the district; or, if there be none, in some newspaper of general circulation in the parish wherein the district is located. Said notice shall contain a general description of the work contemplated, and the advertisement for bids shall conform with the general law relative to the advertisement for bids under R.S. 38:2211 through R.S. 38:2217.

Added by Acts 1962, No. 144, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2221 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2221
Cost-plus contracts prohibited; exceptions
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided herein, no contract shall be let on a cost-plus basis.

B. Any hospital owned or operated by a hospital service district, a municipality, the state, or any other public entity may purchase materials and supplies through cost-plus contracts entered into with a qualified group purchasing organization, as defined in R.S. 38:2212(A)(1)(f)(iii), under the following circumstances:

(1) The wholesale price of the materials or supplies for which a cost-plus bid is submitted is listed in a regional or national periodic publication which is approved by the division of administration for that purpose. A regional or national periodic publication shall be considered approved by the division of administration on the thirty-first day after delivery of the regional or national periodic publication to the division of administration by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested, if the publication is not disapproved by the division within thirty days after such delivery.

(2) The bid submitted by the qualified group purchasing organization uses the wholesale price of the item listed in the approved publication as the basis for cost.

(3) The actual price of the material or supply to the hospital under the cost-plus bid at the time of opening of the bid is used to determine which is the lowest responsible bid.

Acts 1989, No. 596, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2251.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2251.2
Preference for steel rolled in Louisiana
Status: in_force

A. When purchasing steel, every person acting as purchasing agent for any agency, board, commission, department, or other instrumentality of the state or of a parish, municipality, or other unit of local government, including a levee board, drainage district, school board, or special district, shall purchase steel rolled in this state which is equal in quality to steel rolled outside the state, provided the cost of steel rolled in this state does not exceed by more than ten percent the cost of steel which is rolled outside the state.

B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply when sufficient quantities of steel rolled in Louisiana are not available.

Acts 1985, No. 763, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3086.24 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3086.24
Powers
Status: in_force

A. The domicile of said board shall be in the city of Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. The district shall have the power to sue and be sued, through its board of commissioners, and service of process in any such suit against the district shall be made upon the chairman of the board of commissioners, the vice chairman, or upon its secretary-treasurer. This provision shall not constitute a waiver of the governmental immunity to which the district is entitled.

B. The district shall have authority to incur debt, issue bonds, and levy taxes for the retirement of same, under the provisions of R.S. 33:3811 et seq., and to levy special taxes under the provisions of Article VI, Sections 31 and 32 of the Constitution of Louisiana in accordance with the provisions of law carrying these Articles into effect and particularly the applicable provisions of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. The district may acquire by purchase, donation, or lease and may hold and use any immovable or movable property, whether corporeal or incorporeal, or any interest therein necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the district, and may sell, lease, transfer, or convey any property or interest therein at any time after such property or interest has been acquired by it.

C. The district shall also have authority to fix and collect, on a gallonage basis, charges for water so furnished.

D. Ad valorem taxes so levied by the district shall be assessed and collected in the same manner as state and parish taxes, and the board of commissioners shall prescribe the method for collecting any fixed charges levied on a gallonage basis. The treasurer shall be bonded in such sum as the board may require, the premium on said bond to be paid by the district.

E. The board of commissioners shall have power to take the necessary steps to effectuate a program of beautification of the area within the jurisdiction of the commission, particularly but not limited to the banks of Bayou Lafourche, including the necessary police power and authority to adopt penalties in connection with such program. For the purposes of this Part "beautification" shall have the following meaning: any method, procedure, or program which has the effect of creating more pleasant surroundings.

F.(1) In order to accomplish the purposes of the district, the board may make and enforce such rules, regulations, and ordinances it shall deem necessary:

(a) To protect and preserve the works, improvements and properties owned or controlled by the district, prescribe the manner of their use by any person or entity, and preserve order within and adjacent to properties owned or controlled by the district.

(b) To protect and preserve the waterway from any substance or act which would render the water therein unfit for the purposes of the district, including but not limited to prohibiting or regulating the discharge of any substance into the waterway in concentrations which tend to degrade the chemical, physical, biological, or radiological integrity of the waterway.

(c) To prohibit any person or entity from abandoning, sinking, allowing to be sunk, or failing to remove any watercraft from in or on the waterway after having been requested to do so in writing.

(d) To prohibit any person or entity from erecting, locating, constructing, or using any building or structures within the district that may threaten the purposes of the district unless a permit has been approved by the board.

(e) To prohibit any person or entity from knowingly or willfully emptying, draining, or permitting to be drained from any pump, reservoir, well, or oil field into the waterway any oil, salt water, or other noxious, toxic, hazardous, or poisonous gas, liquid, or substance which would render the waterway unfit for the purposes of the district or for human consumption, or would destroy the aquatic and fish life in the waterway. Each day that oil, salt water, or other prohibited substances are permitted to empty, drain, or flow into the waterway shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(f) To regulate the conduct, management, and control of its operations and functions, and its structures and other facilities within its jurisdiction or under its administration.

(g) To protect property, life, and the welfare of its employees and the public.

(h) To control, use, and protect its property, equipment, and other facilities and improvements.

(i) To control, regulate, and protect the channel and banks of the waterway from erosion, decay, or destruction.

(j) To control and regulate the pumping of or flowing of water into the waterway from adjacent or nearby canals, drainage systems, bayous, ditches, streams, tributaries, or other sources which empty or are pumped into the waterway.

(2) Notwithstanding R.S. 34:851.27 or any other provision of law to the contrary, and upon a declaration of an emergency by the board that the size and speed of watercraft traveling through the waterway needs to be regulated to protect the integrity of the banks of the waterway due to low water levels or due to another event causing the banks to be in peril of erosion or instability, the board may:

(a) Implement and enforce a no-wake zone where each watercraft shall operate at bare steerage speed, the slowest speed the watercraft can travel while allowing the operator to maintain directional control of the watercraft to produce the minimum water surface turbulence.

(b) Limit the size of watercraft permitted to travel in certain areas of the waterway until there is no declaration of emergency. Except during times of a declaration of an emergency by the board, the provisions of this Paragraph shall not supersede or otherwise interfere with the authority of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(3) The board shall not make and enforce any rules, regulations, and ordinances that shall impair the rights and obligations in Civil Code Arts. 655 and 656, or that shall affect any agriculture drainage established prior to the creation of the district.

G. In addition, the board may adopt an anti-littering ordinance with penalties for the violation thereof not to exceed a fine of five hundred dollars.

H.(1) The rules, regulations, and ordinances established and promulgated by the board shall provide penalties and shall be enforced by any state or local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the district. Any violations shall be prosecuted by the district attorney in the judicial district where the violation occurred.

(2) The rules, regulations, and ordinances may contain penalties, including a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

I.(1) The board of commissioners shall have full power to adopt and enforce, by penal ordinance, such sanitary regulations as it may deem necessary to protect from pollution the water so furnished, after it leaves its source and to that end may regulate the location, construction, or use of any buildings or structures within the district, where they threaten to pollute or pollute said water. Any such action by the board shall be subject to review by the courts.

(2) For the purposes of this Part the following definitions of pollution shall apply:

(a) "Ashes" includes the solid residue resulting from the combustion of all fuels used for heating, cooking, and the production of power in any public or private establishment, institution, or residence.

(b) "Garbage" includes all putrescible waste matter except sewage and recognizable industrial byproducts and includes putrescible vegetable matter, animal offal, and animal carcasses.

(c) "Refuse" includes garbage, rubbish, ashes, animal and vegetable waste from animal quarters, and all other waste matter, except sewage, from any public or private establishment, institution, or residence.

(d) "Rubbish" includes all nonputrescible waste matter, except ashes, from any public or private establishment, institution, or residence.

(e) "Untreated sewage" includes animal feces and urine as well as any material contaminated by animal body discharges and waste feed stuff which has not been subjected to proper primary treatment.

J.(1) The board shall have full power and authority to cooperate and contract with the United States government, or any of its agencies, the state of Louisiana, or any of its departments, agencies, commissions, districts, or other political subdivisions, or with any person, firm, partnership, or corporation, with the view of accomplishing the construction, maintenance, and operation of pumping facilities and appurtenant pipeline facilities, the purpose of which would be to provide fresh water for Bayou Lafourche. In the event that such pumping facilities and appurtenant pipeline facilities are constructed, erected, or installed by the state of Louisiana, the office of engineering of the Department of Transportation and Development, state of Louisiana, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, the board of commissioners for the Lafourche Basin Conservation Levee and Drainage District, the board of commissioners for the Atchafalaya Basin Levee District, the board of commissioners for the Lafourche Parish Water District No. 1 or other local interests, and the board of commissioners for the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, or any of them, it shall be the obligation of the board of commissioners for the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, and the board is hereby authorized and directed to operate and maintain such pumping and pipeline facilities so as to provide an adequate supply of fresh water in Bayou Lafourche.

(2) The board of commissioners for the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District shall also have power and authority to contribute to the cost of construction and installation of such pumping and pipelining facilities from any funds available for such purpose. It shall also be the obligation of the board to operate and maintain such drainage facilities, floodgates, channel improvements, and drainage structures and appurtenances constructed with the view of providing fresh water in Bayou Lafourche and facilitating the flow thereof. The board shall have power and authority to contribute to the cost of construction of any of the facilities mentioned in this Section.

K. The board of commissioners may implement measures for the abatement of water hyacinths within the water bodies of the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, and Lafourche.

L. The board of commissioners may develop and implement measures to prevent the intrusion of salt water into the flow of fresh water.

M. The board of commissioners may execute contracts for the sale or purchase of water pursuant to the authority granted the district in R.S. 33:4164.

N.(1) With the approval of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, the board of commissioners, in addition to any other powers and duties provided by law, may establish on its own behalf or for the areas under its authority, particularly but not limited to the banks of Bayou Lafourche, water resources development and integrated coastal protection, including but not limited to the studying, engineering, designing, planning, maintenance, operation, and construction of erosion control measures, marsh management, coastal restoration, reservoirs, diversion canals, gravity and pump drainage systems, and other works as such activities, facilities, and improvements relate to integrated coastal protection, conservation, water resources development, and saltwater intrusion. To that end and only upon approval of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, the board of commissioners may regulate the location, construction, or use of any building or structure within the district, where such building or structure threatens to interfere with water resources development and integrated coastal protection.

(2) The board of commissioners may enter into contracts or other agreements, including cooperative endeavor agreements, with any public or private person or persons, corporation, association, or other entity, including the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, the state, and other agencies thereof, public corporations, port authorities, levee districts, parishes, other political subdivisions, or the United States government or agencies thereof, or any combination thereof, or with the instrumentalities of any kind to provide water resources development and integrated coastal protection, and to this end, may contract for the acceptance of any grant of money upon the terms and conditions, including any requirement of matching the grants in whole or in part, that may be necessary.

Acts 2003, No. 187, §1; Acts 2012, No. 495, §1; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5; Acts 2015, No. 34, §1, eff. May 29, 2015; Acts 2024, No. 177, §1; Acts 2025, No. 415, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3097.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3097.3
Secretary of Conservation and Energy; powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The secretary, through the Department of Conservation and Energy, is empowered and responsible for the administration of all matters related to the management of the state's groundwater resources by providing for the most advantageous use of the resource consistent with the protection, conservation, and replenishment thereof. The secretary shall perform these functions to the extent such functions are not specifically within the jurisdiction of other state departments or agencies. The secretary shall seek the advice and consultation of local governmental entities on any actions or decisions which may have an impact upon those entities or residents within the entities' respective jurisdictions.

B. The secretary is authorized to employ, assign, and remove personnel, including a deputy, within the Department of Conservation and Energy, to provide administrative and technical staff functions that the secretary deems necessary to carry out the powers, functions, and duties under this Chapter. Personnel actions shall be in accordance with applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and with the policies and rules of the department, all subject to budgetary control and applicable laws.

C. The secretary has authority to make, after notice and public hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, any reasonable rules, regulations, and orders that are necessary from time to time in the proper administration and enforcement of this Chapter, including rules, regulations, or orders for the following purposes:

(1) Do all things necessary to prevent waste of water resources.

(2) Prevent or alleviate damaging or potentially damaging salt water movement or water level decline and loss of sustainability in the state's aquifers in accordance with Paragraph (4) of this Subsection.

(3) Prevent subsidence of the land surface caused by the withdrawal of groundwater within the state in accordance with Paragraph (4) of this Subsection.

(4)(a) Require registration of all new wells by the owners. Such registration shall at a minimum require the date drilled or the estimated date to be drilled, the name of the driller, the current ownership, and the projected location of the well in latitude, longitude, and depth, and casing size together with such other information as the secretary may reasonably require. Registration shall be in the form of a notice of intent to drill submitted to the secretary at least sixty days prior to drilling the well, except for the following types of wells which shall be registered no later than sixty days after completing the well:

(i) Domestic well.

(ii) Replacement well.

(iii) Drilling rig supply well, used only for the duration of the oil and gas drilling operation at the drilling location where sited for the immediate needs of rig operations.

(iv) Drought relief wells.

(v) All other wells the secretary exempts for just cause.

(b) Within thirty days of receiving the well registration, the secretary shall review the submitted information. During the thirty-day review period, the secretary may either issue an order to the owner placing restrictions on the well or requesting further reasonable information on the well or may take no action. Prior to any order placing a restriction on a well, the secretary shall determine, on the basis of good management practices and sound science, that such action is necessary to prevent adverse impacts to the sustainability of the aquifer from which the proposed well is to produce. An order placing restrictions on spacing may also be issued to avoid direct adverse impacts to existing wells. Restrictions and requests for information shall be subject to the following:

(i) For large volume wells or wells within a critical area of groundwater concern, the secretary may issue to the owner of such well an order fixing allowable production, spacing, and metering necessary to properly manage the state's groundwater resources consistent with R.S. 38:3097.6(B)(3). Before issuing any order placing restrictions on a well outside a critical area of groundwater concern, the secretary shall consider a well owner's efforts to develop alternate water sources.

(ii) For all other wells located outside a critical area of groundwater concern, an order issued by the secretary may only fix spacing of the well.

(iii) If more information is requested, the secretary shall have an additional thirty days after receiving the additional information for review.

(5) Determine areas of groundwater concern and designate critical areas of groundwater concern in accordance with R.S. 38:3097.6.

(6) Collect data with respect to water wells and water resources.

(7) Continue development of a statewide groundwater resource management program that shall include but not be limited to evaluation of the state's water resources including current and projected demands; development of a water use conservation program; study of alternatives to groundwater use, such as surface water to include treatment and transmission system, and reclaimed water; incentives for conservation; use of alternative technologies; and education and conservation programs. The plan should stress conservation as the primary mechanism for the protection of the state's groundwater resources.

(8) Develop a contingency plan to respond to a groundwater emergency. Such a plan shall provide that groundwater needed for human consumption shall have the highest priority. If the secretary declares a groundwater emergency, he shall define the geographical extent of the area included in the emergency by rule or order, may retain personnel or let contracts as necessary with persons who shall operate under his direction to abate the emergency conditions, and may fix the allowable production, spacing, and depth for wells within the area in such a way that the combined production of groundwater will not have long-term adverse effects on the aquifer.

(9) Authorize the temporary use of drought relief wells for agricultural use in times of drought.

(10) Enter interagency agreements and interstate compacts in order to manage groundwater resources. Such interstate compacts shall be entered only upon approval of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality.

D. Any rule or regulation promulgated or any critical groundwater area declared by the Ground Water Management Commission pursuant to authority granted by Act No. 446 of the 2001 Regular Session of the Legislature shall remain in effect until July 1, 2004, or until such time as the secretary promulgates rules pursuant to this Section or reviews any previously declared critical area.

E. The secretary shall not authorize or issue any permit which allows the use or withdrawal of three million gallons or more of groundwater per day from the Chicot aquifer that shall be injected into the subsurface in a parish whose population is more than seventy thousand and less than seventy-five thousand.

F.(1) The secretary, upon determining that a violation of this Chapter, Chapter 13-A or 13-B of this Title, or the regulations adopted thereunder has occurred, may impose a civil penalty as provided in this Chapter. Additionally, upon determining that a violation of this Chapter, Chapter 13-A or 13-B of this Title, or the rules and regulations made pursuant to this Chapter or Chapter 13-A or 13-B of this Title has occurred, the secretary may issue an order requiring compliance. Any such order shall state, with reasonable specificity, the nature of the violation, any cessation of activities or affirmative operations required to achieve compliance, and a time limit within which compliance with the order must be achieved. Noncompliance with any such order to comply shall constitute a violation of this Chapter or Chapter 13-A or 13-B of this Title, and the secretary may impose a civil penalty for such violation. Any person subjected to a civil penalty shall have the right to a public hearing if requested in writing, which written request shall suspend the imposition of penalty until final action is taken by the secretary.

(2) The secretary is hereby authorized to assess civil penalties for each day of violation of the provisions of this Chapter or Chapter 13-A or 13-B of this Title as follows:

(a) For violations of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Subparagraph (C)(4)(a) of this Section - failure to register a well no later than sixty days after completion of the well:

(i) First offense - between zero and fifty dollars.

(ii) Second offense - between fifty and one hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - between one hundred and five hundred dollars.

(b) For violations of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Subparagraph (C)(4)(a) of this Section - failure to submit a notice of intent to drill a well at least sixty days prior to drilling:

(i) First offense - between zero and two hundred dollars.

(ii) Second offense - between two hundred and four hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - between four hundred and one thousand dollars.

(c) For violations of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Subparagraph (C)(4)(a) of this Section - failure to submit a notice of intent to drill a well prior to drilling:

(i) First offense - five hundred dollars.

(ii) Second offense - one thousand dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - two thousand five hundred dollars.

(d) For violations of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Subparagraph (C)(4)(b) of this Section - failure to comply with restrictions, terms, or conditions set forth by order of the secretary:

(i) First offense - one thousand dollars.

(ii) Second offense - two thousand five hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - five thousand dollars.

(e) For violations of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Paragraph (C)(9) of this Section - failure to comply with an emergency order authorizing the temporary use of drought relief wells:

(i) First offense - two hundred dollars.

(ii) Second offense - four hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - one thousand dollars.

(f) For violations of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Paragraph (C)(8) of this Section - failure to comply with any restrictions, terms, or conditions set forth by the secretary in response to a groundwater emergency:

(i) First offense - one thousand dollars.

(ii) Second offense - two thousand five hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - five thousand dollars.

(g) For violations of Chapter 13-A-1 of Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 for any other violations not otherwise specified in this Paragraph:

(i) First offense - between zero and two hundred dollars.

(ii) Second offense - between two hundred and four hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offense - between four hundred and one thousand dollars.

(h) For violations of Chapter 13-A of this Title and not otherwise specified in that Chapter:

(i) First offense – between one and two hundred dollars.

(ii) Second offense – between two hundred one and four hundred dollars.

(iii) Third offense and subsequent offenses – between four hundred one and one thousand dollars.

(i) For violations of Chapter 13-B of this Title and not otherwise specified in that Chapter:

(i) First offense – between one hundred and one thousand dollars.

(ii) Second offense – between one thousand one and two thousand five hundred dollars.

(iii) Third and subsequent offenses – between two thousand five hundred one and five thousand dollars.

G. The secretary shall ensure submission of the semiannual reports required of the ground water conservation districts by R.S. 38:3097.8. If the reports are not submitted timely or do not include the pertinent information required, the secretary is authorized to require monthly submissions of the reports until he is satisfied with the adequacy and informative nature of the reports.

Acts 2003, No. 49, §2, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2005, No. 225, §1, eff. June 29, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 29, §1; Acts 2008, No. 241, §2; Acts 2008, No. 580, §4; Acts 2008, No. 581, §1; Acts 2009, No. 4, §1; Acts 2009, No. 437, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2017, No. 425, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §12, eff. Jan. 10, 2024; Acts 2025, No. 458, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.

NOTE: See Acts 2005, No. 225, §2, relative to pending and previous declarations.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1596.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1596.9
Form and registration of certificates
Status: in_force

The drainage certificates shall be signed by the president of the governing authority and by its clerk or secretary for, on behalf of, and in the name of the district and under the seal thereof. The interest coupons, if any, shall be signed with the facsimile signature of the officers. Before delivery of the certificates, they shall be registered in the mortgage records of Ouachita Parish as to the serial number or numbers, amount, rate of interest, and the dates due. Each of the certificates shall bear the following endorsement, viz:

"This certificate registered in the Mortgage Records of the Parish of Ouachita on this the _______ day of _________________, 19__.

____________________________

Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio

Recorder of Mortgages, Parish

of Ouachita"

Acts 1985, No. 979, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1674.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1674.2
Notice of intention; hearing; ordering improvements
Status: in_force

In order to construct and finance the projects referred to in R.S. 38:1674.1, the board of commissioners of any drainage district created under the provisions of this Chapter shall employ a competent engineer or firm of engineers to prepare a drainage report setting forth the area to be drained, the general plan of drainage, the total estimated cost of the project as well as the estimated annual cost of operating and maintaining such project and a proposed plan for financing such costs. The engineering report shall describe the portion or portions, if any, of the drainage area which is then drained by gravity or other means sufficient to support residential, commercial and industrial construction or inhabitation and the natural drainage therefrom flows into other portions of the drainage area, such portions of the drainage area being herein referred to as high lands, provided however, high lands shall not include lands already drained that do not flow into the drainage area. Likewise, the engineering report shall describe the portion or portions, if any, of the drainage area which is then subject to overflow and not already drained sufficient to support residential, commercial and industrial construction or inhabitation, such portions of the drainage area being herein referred to as undrained lands. After receiving and approving the engineering report, the board of commissioners shall adopt a resolution giving notice of its intention to construct such project and describe therein the portion of the district, if less than the entire district, to be drained, benefited and assessed as hereinafter provided, herein sometimes referred to as the assessment area. Said resolution shall also give notice of the board's intention to levy local or special assessments not exceeding a specified sum per acre or square foot on each assessable lot or parcel of real estate in the assessment area to pay all or part of the project cost with separate maximum assessment costs being specified for high lands and undrained lands. The total of all such local or special assessments shall represent the total cost to be assessed against the real property in the assessment area and said local or special assessments shall be calculated or prorated equally against each acre or square foot of property in the assessment area except that the high lands shall be assessed in an amount equal to twenty percent of the assessment against each acre or square foot of undrained lands in the assessment area. In order to accomplish this procedure, the local or special assessment per acre or per square foot in the undrained lands portion shall be equal to an amount determined by dividing the total project cost by the sum of the acres or square footage in the undrained lands portion plus one-fifth of the acres or square footage of the high lands portion. The assessment per acre or per square foot in the high lands portion shall be equal to one-fifth that for the undrained lands. The assessment provided for in this section against the high lands in the assessment area shall not exceed the sum of fifteen dollars per acre per year and shall not exceed a proportionate maximum assessment per square foot per year.

The notice of intention shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper published within the district, or, if there be none, in some newspaper published in the parish wherein the district is located. The board of commissioners shall set forth therein the date, hour and place of a hearing at which it will proceed in open session to hear any and all objections to the proposed improvements and the manner of payment therefor; and after hearing and passing on such objections, proceed, if it so determines, to order such improvements constructed in the manner hereinafter provided; provided, however, that the board shall not order the construction of the proposed improvements in the event there is filed at the public hearing written objections to the proposed improvements signed by the owners of property representing more than one-half of the assessable area of the district, which ownership shall be determined by the conveyance records of the parish. At the hearing any landowner shall have the right to file written notice of his or its intention to drain any portion of his or its land in a manner that completely diverts all the water draining therefrom from the drainage area being created. Such land shall be excluded from assessment provided that there is also filed and bonded in a satisfactory manner as set forth in the drainage plan, an adequate plan for ensuring such self-drainage becoming operable no later than the time when any portion or phase of the proposed district becomes operable and starts pumping water to commence drainage of a portion of the district all in accordance with the engineering plan for the district.

Added by Acts 1962, No. 144, §1. Amended by Acts 1970, No. 617, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3308 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3308
Authority to issue bonds
Status: in_force

The Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District shall have authority to issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness in the manner provided by Part III and Part IV of Chapter 4 of this Title.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 896, §1. Acts 1984, No. 907, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2296 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2296
Definitions
Status: in_force

A. A "closed specification" shall be a product specified to the exclusion of all other products of apparent equal quality and utility.

B. "Exclusive distribution" shall be the right to control, either by contract or practice, directly or indirectly, the distribution of a product in a particularly defined area to the exclusion of any other distributor.

Added by Acts 1965, No. 40, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 803, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:100 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 100
Object and purpose
Status: in_force

It is the object and purpose of this Chapter to provide for participation by the state of Louisiana in the Westwego to Harvey Canal hurricane protection project, for modifications of the Westwego to Harvey Canal hurricane protection project to include the Lake Cataouatche area, the East of Harvey Canal hurricane protection project, and for any other future project modifications or additions within the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Charles. It is further the object of this Chapter to designate the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board as the nonfederal sponsor for the construction of the projects and to furnish the United States such assurances and cooperation as may be required by the Congress of the United States that the department will:

(1) Provide such lands, servitudes, and rights-of-way necessary for the construction, operation, replacement and rehabilitation, maintenance, and mitigation of the projects, including borrow and excavated material disposal areas.

(2) Accomplish all necessary alterations and relocations to roads, railroads, pipelines, cables, wharves, and other facilities required by the construction of the projects.

(3) Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction of the projects in certain circumstances.

(4) Share the portion of the costs that are required by the Congress.

(5) Provide other assurances and cooperation as may be required by the Congress.

(6) Authorize the department to repay to the United States, with interest, the nonfederal share of the construction of the projects.

Acts 1993, No. 1012, §1, eff. June 25, 1993; Acts 2008, No. 503, §1; Acts 2009, No. 523, §2, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2016, No. 430, §4.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1669 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1669
Property of pre-existing district transferred; funding and refunding of pre-existing indebtedness
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of any reorganized drainage district or on behalf of any sub-district thereof may adopt and put into effect the plan of reclamation and assess benefits and damage resulting therefrom, levy, assess and collect taxes to construct or cause to be constructed any works provided for in the plan for reclamation, and issue bonds, all in the manner hereinbefore provided in the case of new districts. Any bonds issued by a reorganized drainage district, or by any sub-district thereof, may begin to mature not later than ten years after their date, in the discretion of the board of commissioners.

Drainage and reclamation works and improvements of the pre-existing district or districts, or any sub-district thereof, and all property, machinery, rights of way, canals, levees, holding basins and other works thereof shall become the property of the reorganized district or the respective sub-district thereof. All debts, bonded or otherwise, owing by the pre-existing district or districts, or by any sub-district thereof, shall on reorganization become the obligations of the reorganized district or the sub-district thereof originally liable therefor and shall be payable out of the respective funds from whatever source derived, of the reorganized district or the sub-district thereof originally liable for the debt, and not otherwise, for which the lands were not liable prior to reorganization.

The pre-existing indebtedness, bonded or otherwise, may be funded or refunded by the issuance of bonds as hereinafter provided.

If the benefits assessed against the lands in the reorganized drainage district or sub-district shall be sufficient to pay the cost of reclamation of the district or sub-district and carry out the plan for reclamation as adopted in accordance with the provisions of this Part in the case of new drainage districts, and in addition thereto are sufficient to pay the pre-existing indebtedness by the reorganized drainage district or sub-district, bonded or otherwise, and whether or not funded or refunded into funding or refunding bonds, not including interest thereon, then the board of commissioners of the reorganized drainage district in making the levy of taxes shall in addition thereto make a tax levy which will provide sufficient funds to retire in principal and interest the pre-existing debt. In this case the proceeding for the annual levy of the installments of taxes and the collection thereof shall be the same as provided in this Part in the case of new districts.

If, however, the assessed benefits shall not be sufficient to pay the pre-existing indebtedness in addition to the cost of reclamation then the board of commissioners of the reorganized drainage district shall, in addition to all other taxes, annually levy, assess, and order the collection, until the pre-existing indebtedness is fully paid, of an acreage tax or forced contribution against each acre of land liable for the pre-existing indebtedness as shall be sufficient to pay the pre-existing indebtedness with interest plus ten per cent for emergencies, provided the forced contribution shall not exceed three dollars and fifty cents per acre per annum. The levy of the acreage tax shall be a tax lien on the land against which it is assessed. The secretary of the drainage district shall prepare each year a tax assessment book and certificate similar to that provided in R.S. 38:1634, and shall file a copy of the book and certificate with the clerk of court and recorder and a copy with the sheriff and tax collector of each parish in which any lands so assessed with and liable for the acreage tax are situated. The acreage tax shall be collected and payment thereof enforced in the same manner provided in this Part for the collection of other taxes.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.56 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.56
Election of officers
Status: in_force

Immediately after the members of the board of commissioners have been appointed, or as soon as thereafter is practicable, they shall meet and organize by electing from their number a president, vice president, and secretary who shall perform the duties normally required of such officers.

Acts 1995, No. 443, §2, eff. June 17, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:330.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 330.9
Defense and indemnification of commissioners, officers, or employees
Status: in_force

A. An authority may defend, indemnify against loss or liability and save harmless any of its commissioners, officers or employees whenever a claim or demand is made or threatened, or whenever proceeded against in any investigation or before any court, board, commission or other public body to defend or maintain his official position or a position taken in the course of the execution of his duties or because of any act or omission arising out of the performance of his official duties if it is determined that the commissioner, 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. Such determination shall be made by the board of commissioners by a majority vote of the board who were not parties to such action, suit, proceeding, investigation or claim. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply in each event a commissioner, officer or employee is adjudged liable for malfeasance in office or an intentional tort.

B. To the extent that a commissioner, officer or employee of the authority has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

C. Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in defending a civil action, suit or proceeding may be paid by an authority in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding as authorized in the manner provided in this Section upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the commissioner, officer or employee, to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the authority as authorized in this Section.

D. The indemnification provided by this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a commissioner, officer or employee, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

E. An authority may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a commissioner, officer or employee of the authority against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the authority would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2006, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1631 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1631
Tax levy for cost of work
Status: in_force

After the list of lands, and other property, with the assessed benefits and the decree and judgment of court, have been certified by the district court clerk and transmitted to the secretary of the board of commissioners, then the board of commissioners shall without any unnecessary delay, levy a tax of the portion of the benefits on all lands, railroad, and other property in the district to which benefits have been assessed, which may be found necessary by the board of commissioners to pay the costs of the completion of the proposed works and improvements as shown in the plan for reclamation, and in carrying out the objects of the district, and plus ten percent of the total amount for emergencies. The tax shall be apportioned to and levied on each tract of land or other property in the district in proportion to the benefits assessed and not in excess thereof. In case bonds are issued, then the amount of the interest, as estimated by the board of commissioners plus ten per centum thereof for emergencies, which will accrue on the bonds shall be included and added to the tax, but the interest to accrue on account of the issuing of the bonds shall not be considered as a part of the cost of construction in determining whether or not the expenses and costs of making the improvements are or are not equal to or in excess of the benefits assessed. The secretary of the board of commissioners, as soon as the total tax is levied, shall, at the expense of the district, prepare a list of all taxes levied, in the form of a well bound book, which shall be endorsed and named "Drainage Tax Record of _____ Drainage District _____". This endorsement shall also be printed or written at the top of each page in the book, and shall be signed and certified by the president and secretary of the board of commissioners, attested by the seal of the district, and the book shall thereafter become a permanent record in the office of the secretary.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:312 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 312
Notification of owners of oil, gas, or waterlines before construction or removal of levees
Status: in_force

Except in cases of immediate emergency due to caving river banks, a breach, or an approaching breach of the maintaining line of the public levee, whenever any new levee is to be built or any old levee is to be moved in any levee district or levee and drainage district and the new levee to be constructed or old levee to be moved shall cross or be built along or upon any oil, gas, or water pipeline, the board of commissioners of the levee district or levee and drainage district building the levee or moving the old levee shall notify the owners of the oil, gas, or waterlines at least thirty days prior to beginning the new levee construction or work of removal in order to enable the owners to move their pipelines.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2501 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2501
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission; powers; duties; functions
Status: in_force

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission shall have sole authority to control and regulate all aspects of hunting, fishing, and boating in all water conservation districts enumerated in this Chapter.

Acts 1993, No. 830, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2904 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2904
Board to govern; membership; tenure; vacancies; compensation
Status: in_force

The said district shall be governed and controlled by the Board of Commissioners of the Jackson Parish Watershed District, to be composed of seven commissioners, each of whom shall be a qualified elector of the state of Louisiana who resides within the limits of Jackson Parish. The commissioners shall be appointed by the Jackson Parish Police Jury and shall serve terms of four years and until their successors have been appointed and have qualified; except that one of the initial appointments shall be for a term of one year, two shall be for a term of two years, two shall be for a term of three years, and two shall be for a term of four years. Any vacancy in the office of commissioner, due to death, resignation or any other cause shall be filled by an appointment of the Jackson Parish Police Jury.

The members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of official duties.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 589, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.47 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.47
Audit
Status: in_force

The district shall be audited pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

Acts 1995, No. 443, §1, eff. June 17, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1643 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1643
Exemption of bonds from taxation
Status: in_force

All bonds issued by any drainage or sub-drainage district created, organized or reorganized under the provisions of this Part, shall be exempt from taxation.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2716 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2716
Management of fish, game, and wildlife
Status: in_force

A, B, C. REPEALED BY ACTS 1993, NO. 830, §2.

D. The board of commissioners shall have authority:

(1) To establish and cause to be enforced rules and regulations pertaining to all commercial establishments which may be constructed for the purpose of commercializing and making commercial use of the facilities provided by the reservoir; and

(2) To license and permit such establishments and to levy and collect a fee, to be fixed by the commission, for the privilege of making commercial use of the facilities of the lake, or to refuse to license or permit any commercial establishment to use the facilities provided by the lake.

E. The rules and regulations established and promulgated by the board of commissioners shall provide penalties for any commercial establishment operating without a permit or license, and the rules and regulations shall be enforced by the sheriff and violations thereof prosecuted by the district attorney of the judicial district within which the reservoir district is situated, as hereinabove provided.

Acts 1989, No. 176, §1; Acts 1993, No. 830, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2865 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2865
Board of commissioners created
Status: in_force

The Board of Commissioners of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District, with its powers and duties as defined herein, is hereby created and established as the governing authority of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 299, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.35 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.35
Oaths
Status: in_force

Before entering upon his official duties each member of the board of commissioners shall take the oath of office provided by Article X, Section 30 of the Constitution of Louisiana before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths.

Acts 1995, No. 443, §1, eff. June 17, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2293 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2293
Effect of violation; proceedings to annul contracts violating provisions of this Part
Status: in_force

A. Any contract entered into in violation of any provision of this Part shall be null and void.

B. The district attorney in whose district a violation of this Part occurs, the attorney general, or any interested party has a right of action to bring suit for appropriate injunctive relief in the district court to nullify a contract entered into in violation of this Part.

C. If a judgment of nullity is rendered in an action brought by a district attorney or by the attorney general pursuant to Subsection B hereof, the district court may award a civil penalty not in excess of ten thousand dollars against each offending party.

Added by Acts 1965, No. 40, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 803, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1667 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1667
Obligations of former district assumed by reorganized districts
Status: in_force

All debts owing to and all property or contract rights, privileges, and immunities held or enjoyed by the old district or districts, or any sub-district thereof under former organization, shall be held and enjoyed by the new district or the respective sub-district thereof, when the district shall reorganize under the provisions of this Part. No right of action shall exist nor remedy be allowed against any reorganized drainage district, or sub-drainage district thereof by virtue of any contract or contracts made by or on behalf of any reorganized drainage district, or sub-drainage district thereof prior to its reorganization as herein provided for, which did not exist or was not allowed by statute against the drainage district or sub-drainage district prior to the time of its reorganization as herein provided for. Where any drainage district or districts have heretofore been reorganized under the provisions of this Part, and one or more of the sub-drainage districts thereof have been consolidated with each other or with other lands, and one plan for reclamation has been provided for and adopted therefor, taxes have been levied and bonds issued under the provisions of this Part, the plan for reclamation, the taxes and the bonds are hereby declared to be valid and legal, and binding on the reorganized drainage district. Each and every act of the drainage commissioners is hereby declared to have been done and performed in accordance with law, and the plan for reclamation, taxes, bonds, and acts are hereby validated and declared legal and binding upon the district and the landowners thereof.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1648 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1648
Change of plan of reclamation
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of any drainage district, when petitioned by the land owners owning more than two-thirds of the acreage of all lands within the limits of the drainage district, with the advice and consent of the chief engineer of the district, may change the plan for reclamation theretofore adopted by the board.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1841 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1841
Creation of districts by parishes; territory included
Status: in_force

Any parish, on its own initiative, may adopt a resolution, creating one or more consolidated gravity drainage districts, in the parish. The consolidated gravity drainage districts shall include in the boundaries thereof, two or more gravity drainage districts and also may include therein territory or lands not included in any other drainage districts. No consolidated gravity drainage district shall be created hereunder with the boundaries thereof co-existent with the boundaries of a parish. Parishes shall create consolidated gravity drainage districts and describe and define the boundaries thereof, upon being furnished with certified copies of resolutions adopted by two or more drainage districts requesting the parish to create a consolidated gravity drainage district in the parish and describing and defining the boundaries thereof.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1707 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1707
Exemption from laws forbidding inclusion in more than one district
Status: in_force

No drainage district created or organized under the provisions of this Part shall be subject to the provisions of any law of this state forbidding land to be included within more than one drainage district and all drainage districts created under this Part are expressly exempted from these provisions.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:334.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 334.3
Revenue utilization; St. Mary Levee District
Status: in_force

Nothing shall prohibit the St. Mary Levee District from expending tax funds directly for projects to provide for hurricane protection, tidewater flooding, saltwater intrusion, and conservation within St. Mary Parish, or pledging such funds for the payment of principal or interest on any bonds or other debt instruments issued by the district.

Acts 2007, No. 259, §1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 220, §11, eff. June 14, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1645 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1645
Change of venue; recusation of judge
Status: in_force

No change of venue shall be allowed in any proceeding required under the provision of this Part to be brought before the district court. The judge may be recused and a judge ad hoc appointed as is now provided by law in civil matters in this state.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1995 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1995
Corporate powers
Status: in_force

The corporation in its corporate name may sue and be sued, contract, purchase, own, lease, and mortgage property, real, personal, and mixed. The board may borrow money and issue negotiable bonds and secure the bonds by mortgage, pledge, and hypothecation of its property, real, personal, mixed, its taxes, local assessments, forced contributions, and acreage taxes. It may exercise the right of eminent domain and expropriate property according to law in and out of the district when necessary to drain the lands in the Drainage District and make and use a common seal. It shall have all the powers and authority conferred on corporations of this class and drainage and subdrainage districts by the Constitution and laws of Louisiana, and all powers and authority conferred on drainage and sub-drainage districts, organized under the general laws of Louisiana relative to drainage, sub-drainage and drainage districts.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1491 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1491
Drainage channels or outfall canals; Tangipahoa Parish
Status: in_force

A. All drainage channels or outfall canals in the parish of Tangipahoa created pursuant to law shall be public drainage channels or outfall canals.

B. On July 1, 2003, all drainage channels or outfall canals in the parish of Tangipahoa that have been or thereafter are kept up, maintained, or worked for a period of three years by authority of the governing authority of the parish or the governing board of any drainage district located in the parish shall be public drainage channels or outfall canals.

C.(1) The governing board of any drainage district located in the parish which has control over any public drainage channel or outfall canal provided for in Subsections A and B of this Section shall have authority to share the use of such public drainage channels or outfall canals with any sewerage district located in the parish if the sharing of such public drainage channels or outfall canals is for the benefit of the general population of the parish.

(2) The governing board of any drainage district located in the parish which holds a servitude over any drainage channel or outfall canal shall have the authority to share the use of such drainage channel or outfall canal with any sewerage district located in the parish if the sharing of such drainage channel or outfall canal is for the benefit of the general population of the parish.

D. If the governing board of any drainage district located in the parish grants the use of any drainage channel or outfall canal under its authority to any sewerage district located in the parish, the drainage district shall not be held liable for any act or omission of such sewerage district resulting in damage or injury to any such drainage channel or outfall canal or any component thereof.

Acts 2003, No. 1102, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2312 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2312
Notice and application
Status: in_force

A. Each agency intending to contract for professional services shall notify the Division of Administration of such intention and shall provide the Division of Administration with all necessary information concerning the proposed project. The Division of Administration shall then evaluate the proposed project for purposes of determining the professional service to be required in order to refer the project to the proper board. The Division of Administration shall then advise the chairmen of the boards as to which selection board the proposed project has been referred.

If the chairman of any of the three professional selection boards objects to a referral made by the Division of Administration, said objection shall be submitted to the Division of Administration, whereupon the Division of Administration shall submit the information concerning the proposed project to a committee composed of the chairman of the Louisiana Architects Selection Board, the chairman of the Louisiana Engineers Selection Board, the chairman of the Louisiana Landscape Architects Selection Board, the head, or representative named by the head, of the user agency whose project is under consideration, and the head of the Division of Administration or his appointed representative. The members of the committee, by majority vote, shall designate which selection board shall have the authority and responsibility for selecting the prime professional for the project. The committee shall notify the Division of Administration of its decision. The Division of Administration shall notify the board which has been designated the responsibility of selecting the prime professional for the project.

The designated board shall then advertise one time in the official state journal the following information: (a) the professional service required; (b) the name, location, and user agency for which the professional service is required; (c) time and instructions for applicants to submit applications for employment to the appropriate board; (d) general description of the project, and the availability of details upon request; (e) time frame in which the professional services must be completed; (f) the project budget; and (g) the fee, which shall be determined by the Division of Administration.

B. Any person who desires to be considered for a project may submit data to the appropriate selection board concerning his experience, previous projects undertaken, present state projects now being performed by him or his firm for an agency, scope and amount of work on hand, the names of key personnel who will be assigned to the project, and any other information that may be appropriate in selecting the person for the particular project under consideration. The boards may develop standard forms to be used for submitting such data.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 721, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 525, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.343 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.343
District as political subdivision and body corporate; purpose and powers
Status: in_force

A. The district shall be a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana, which shall have for its purpose the preservation, promotion, and development of the wealth and natural resources of the district by the conservation of the soil and water of Lake St. John for agricultural, recreational, commercial, and sanitary purposes and by the regulation of aquatic plant growth.

B. It shall constitute a body corporate in law with all powers, rights, privileges, and immunities of a corporation. It shall have the power to sue and be sued, to buy and sell, to levy taxes, to negotiate and execute contracts, and to incur debts and issue negotiable bonds in payment thereof under and in accordance with law. It shall have the authority to acquire by purchase, donation, or otherwise every type and specie of property, including servitudes and rights-of-use, necessary to its purpose, and to lease, build, operate, and maintain any works or machinery designed to accomplish the purposes of the district.

C. It shall have complete control over the supply of fresh water from Lake St. John which shall be administered for the benefit of the persons residing or owning property within the district, and if it should be for the benefit of the district, it shall have the authority to sell such water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial uses both within and outside the district. However, the district shall have no authority to regulate or control any use by any municipality, district, or other person of such water supply which use was being made by such municipality, district, or other person on June 29, 2005, including no authority to charge or collect any fee or charge therefor.

D. The district may cooperate and contract with the government of the United States or any department or agency thereof and accept grants and donations of property and money therefrom. It may cooperate with the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision, department, agency, or corporation of the state for the management of the waters of Lake St. John and the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities designed to accomplish the purpose for which the district is created on any basis including the matching of funds and by participating in projects authorized by any federal or state law as it shall see fit.

Acts 2005, No. 214, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1635 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1635
Collection and accounting for taxes
Status: in_force

The sheriff and ex-officio tax collector of each parish in which lands or other property of any drainage district are situated, shall receive the drainage tax book of the drainage district, and shall promptly and faithfully collect the taxes therein set out and exercise all due diligence in so doing. He shall demand and collect the taxes at the same time and in the same manner that he demands and collects state and parish taxes due on the same lands and other properties. Where any tract or part thereof has been divided and sold or transferred, the collector shall receive taxes on any part of the tract, piece, or parcel of land or other property, charged with the taxes, and give his receipt accordingly. The drainage tax book shall be the warrant and authority of the collector for making the demand and collection. The sheriff and ex-officio tax collector shall pay over and account for all taxes collected for account of any drainage or sub-drainage district, to the secretary-treasurer of the district at the same time that he pays over state and parish taxes. The collector at the time of paying over drainage taxes, collected by him, shall furnish and deliver to the secretary-treasurer of the drainage district an itemized statement of the collections, with the date of the respective payments, and the names of the persons paying the taxes.

All of the articles and provisions of the Constitution of Louisiana of 1921, or as hereafter amended, and all laws now in force or that may hereafter be enacted, providing for, regulating and governing the collection of state and parish taxes and the creation of tax liens, penalties, methods, and procedure for sales for delinquent taxes shall also apply to regulate and govern the collection of the assessments or taxes authorized to be imposed or levied under the provisions of this Part and the taxes shall be collected through the sheriff and ex-officio tax collector for the parish or parishes in which may be situated the lands of the district, at the same time and in the same manner that he collects the state and parish taxes, and the taxes shall be by him turned over to the secretary-treasurer of the drainage district. The tax collector or tax collectors shall make monthly settlements with the secretary-treasurer of the drainage district as aforesaid and receive from him a receipt for the amount of taxes paid to him. When all taxes shall have been collected for the current year the tax collector shall make a final settlement with the board of commissioners of the district in the same manner as tax collectors are required to settle with the state auditor. When a final statement is made and all the taxes assessed in the drainage district are collected and paid in or accounted for by delinquent or reduction lists as is contemplated and accepted by the state auditor in the collection of state taxes, then the board of commissioners of the drainage district shall give the tax collector or collectors a quietus in full for the taxes for that year. The sheriffs and ex-officio tax collectors shall receive for all services rendered in connection with the collecting and paying over of the taxes provided for to be collected by them one per cent on the amount collected and paid into the drainage district. Upon the failure of a tax collector to comply with the provisions of this Part, the board of commissioners of the drainage district shall forthwith proceed against the sheriff and ex-officio tax collector and the sureties on his official bond as tax collector for the collection of whatever amount may be due to the drainage district.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2115 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2115
Employment of attorneys, engineers, etc.; compensation
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of every irrigation district created under the provisions of this Part, may employ an attorney or attorneys, and fix his or their compensation. The board of commissioners may employ engineers, clerks, and other agents and employees, and fix their compensation.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3086.22 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3086.22
Location; composition
Status: in_force

A. The Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District shall be composed of all of Lafourche Parish, except that portion of the parish having a front of two hundred feet on Bayou Des Allemands and running back westerly a distance of thirty-eight thousand six hundred ninety-five feet, being one hundred feet on each side of the center line of the main line track of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad; that portion of Ascension Parish lying along both banks of Bayou Lafourche between the Mississippi River and the boundary line between the parishes of Assumption and Ascension, and within lines drawn on each side of the bayou for a distance of four thousand two hundred feet from the center of the bayou, as established by government survey; and all of Assumption Parish and Terrebonne Parish.

B. The northern boundary line of the district shall be the toe of the main Mississippi River levee divorcing the waters of Bayou Lafourche from the Mississippi River, on the river side of the levee as now located, and the southern boundary of the district shall be the southern boundary of Lafourche Parish.

C. All property subject to taxation within the district as hereby constituted shall be subject to the levy of the special taxes heretofore authorized for the maintenance and operating expenses of the district and for the payment of the outstanding bonds of the district.

Acts 2003, No. 187, §1; Acts 2005, No. 2, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 2005, No. 2, §2, relative to implementation.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:111 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 111
Contracts by drainage districts, levee boards, and political subdivisions with Department of Transportation and Development or the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
Status: in_force

Any drainage or subdrainage district, gravity drainage, or gravity subdrainage district, levee board, or political subdivision may contract with the Department of Transportation and Development or, for projects in the coastal area as defined in R.S. 49:214.2, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, or for projects in the upland area as defined in R.S. 38:2352, the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority, upon any terms for the payment of the cost of the drainage and reclamation projects within the confines of the district or districts involved proportionately by the Department of Transportation and Development, the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority, or the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the districts as may be agreed upon between the Department of Transportation and Development, the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority, or the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the governing authorities of the districts entering into any contract.

Acts 2010, No. 734, §3; Acts 2016, No. 430, §4; Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3097.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3097.6
Determination of area of groundwater concern
Status: in_force

A. Any owner of a well that is significantly and adversely affected as a result of the movement of a saltwater front, water level decline, or subsidence in or from the aquifer drawn on by such well shall have the right to file an application to request the secretary to declare that an area underlain by such aquifer is an area of groundwater concern. Such application shall contain a statement of facts, and supporting evidence substantiating the area may be an area of groundwater concern as defined in R.S. 38:3097.2. On the basis of the application, good management practices, and sound science, the secretary shall either deny the request, in writing, or issue a draft order which describes the proposed boundaries of the area of groundwater concern. If the secretary issues a draft order describing the proposed boundaries of the area, the secretary shall hold at least one public hearing in the locality of the proposed boundaries. At least thirty days prior to holding the public hearing, the secretary shall provide copies of the draft order to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

B. After holding hearings, the secretary shall issue a written decision based on good management practices and scientifically sound data gathered from the application, the participants in the public hearing, and any other relevant information. If the secretary has determined that an area of ground water concern exists, his decision shall be in the form of an order that shall describe the boundaries of the area which is determined to be an area of ground water concern. The order shall also contain a plan to preserve and manage the ground water resources in that area which may include but is not limited to the following:

(1) Educational and conservation programs.

(2) Incentives to reduce ground water use.

(3) If the secretary designates an area a critical area of ground water concern, the order may restrict the amount of withdrawals by any or all users in the area. In determining restrictions on withdrawals, the secretary shall consider the following:

(a) Ground water needed for human consumption and public health and safety shall have the highest priority.

(b) Uses other than human consumption and public health and safety shall have equal priority.

(c) Historical use.

(d) Ability, including economic ability, of a particular user to relocate to an alternative source of water.

(e) User's conservation efforts and actual reductions in water usage, taking into account historic ground water production.

Acts 2003, No. 49, §2, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2005, No. 225, §1, eff. June 29, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 580, §4; Acts 2025, No. 458, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.

NOTE: See Acts 2005, No. 225, §2, relative to pending and previous declarations.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1571 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1571
Transfer of property from drainage district to municipality; resolution of board of commissioners
Status: in_force

Drainage districts organized under the laws of this state, the territorial limits of which drainage district lie wholly within the boundaries of any municipality, and all the bonded and other indebtedness of which has been paid and satisfied, may be liquidated and finally dissolved, and all the canals, works and property of the drainage district, and the control thereof, may be transferred to the municipality within which the drainage district lies, all by resolution of the board of commissioners of the district. The resolution shall be adopted at a special meeting, called and held for the purpose. The meeting shall be preceded by a notice, published by the president of the board, for at least ten days, in a newspaper published in the municipality, notifying the public of the calling of the meeting, and that the foregoing proposition will be considered and acted upon at the meeting.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:366 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 366
Qualification and exemption of jurors
Status: in_force

The qualifications and exemptions of jurors and the method of choosing and summoning the general venire in jury cases are as provided by law.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:337 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 337
Validation of previous sales, leases or other dispositions; Orleans Levee District
Status: in_force

The sales, lease, or other disposition by the board of lands reclaimed or filled in or otherwise acquired by the board under the provisions of R.S. 38:307, R.S. 38:335, and R.S. 38:336 and under the provisions of Section 7 of Article XVI of the 1921 Constitution of Louisiana, and the sale and lease of land, and/or any improvements thereon, which is included within the area of any marina under the jurisdiction of the board or the land bordering the New Basin Canal acquired by the board from the Louisiana Department of Public Works by an act of sale dated December 18, 1964, heretofore made by the board are expressly exempted from the provisions of R.S. 41:131 through 41:139, R.S. 41:1211 through 41:1222, and R.S. 41:1261 through 41:1269, or any other provision of law contrary to or inconsistent with the terms, conditions, and methods heretofore provided and used by the board in such prior transactions by the board in the sale, lease, or other disposition of such lands. All such sales, leases, or other dispositions made by the board prior to the effective date of this Section are hereby ratified, validated, and confirmed and shall be deemed to bind the board and the other parties thereto according to the respective terms and conditions of the sales, leases, or other dispositions.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.

{{NOTE: REGARDING R.S. 38:337, SEE ALSO R.S. 38:1235.2(F) AS PER ACTS 1985, NO. 130, §1, WHICH MAY BE CONFLICTING.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1681 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1681
Assumption Parish; powers of districts; bonds; taxes
Status: in_force

A. All drainage districts within the parish of Assumption heretofore or hereafter created under the provisions of this Part shall have and are hereby vested with full power and authority, acting through their governing authorities, to:

(1) Drain and reclaim lands in said drainage districts by the construction, maintenance, and operation of gravity and forced drainage facilities, including canals, ditches, pumps, levees and other related works.

(2) Incur debt and issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of constructing drainage works and acquiring the necessary lands, equipment and machinery therefor. Said bonds shall be secured by and payable from ad valorem taxation and may be issued to an amount not exceeding ten percent of the assessed valuation of the property of such districts in the manner provided for the issuance of bonds by other political subdivisions under Subpart A, Part III, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto. Such bonds shall be issued only after being approved at an election ordered by the board of commissioners of the drainage district and held in accordance with the provisions of law.

(3) Levy special taxes on all the property within such drainage districts for the purpose of maintaining, operating, constructing and/or improving the drainage works in such drainage districts after having been authorized to do so at a special election held in accordance with the provisions of law.

(4) Expropriate property for the purpose of acquiring sites for pumping stations and land for any other necessary public purposes of the drainage districts; provided, however, the drainage districts shall not have the right to expropriate minerals or mineral rights.

(5) Acquire machinery and maintain pumping plants or any machinery whatever that may be found necessary for the purpose of draining or reclaiming any of the lands embraced within the drainage districts.

(6) Cut and open any drains and canals and open, deepen, and enlarge natural drains within or without the drainage districts and perform all work in connection therewith which may be deemed necessary to provide drainage for lands in the drainage districts, and perform all other acts necessary to drain the land in the drainage districts and maintain the drainage when established.

(7) To cooperate with and enter into cooperative agreements and arrangements with agencies of the United States of America, the state of Louisiana and its various departments and political subdivisions, on a matching fund or any other basis in any drainage and reclamation projects. Purchase servitudes and rights-of-way for their own uses or for the use of any state or federal agency with which they may cooperate in connection with some work of improvement.

(8) Accept gifts and grants of money, property, or services.

(9) Extend canals or ditches or both canals and ditches beyond the limits of the drainage districts but within the boundaries of Assumption Parish for the purpose of securing a proper outlet for the waters of the drainage districts.

B. The authority herein granted may be exercised and the works of improvement herein authorized may be constructed within or without the limits of the districts.

C. The powers, rights, and authority granted in this Section shall be in addition to any powers now or hereafter conferred on drainage districts by the provisions of this Part and shall not be limited or restricted by any other provisions of said Part, and in particular the provisions of R.S. 38:1678.

Acts 1985, No. 499, §1, eff. July 12, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.229 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.229
Rules and regulations
Status: in_force

A. In order to accomplish the purposes of the district, the board of commissioners may make and enforce such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary and advisable:

(1) To manage and control the water level and the growth of aquatic plants in the lakes.

(2) To protect and preserve the works, improvements, and properties owned or controlled by the district, prescribe the manner of their use by public corporations and persons, and preserve order within and adjacent thereto.

(3) To prescribe the manner of building bridges, piers, boathouses, seawalls, roads, and fences, including fences for the control of livestock or other works in, along, or across any channel or extending into the lake.

(4) To prescribe the manner in which natural or artificial drains, ditches, sewers, pipelines, or other works shall be adjusted to or connected with the works of the district or any watercourse therein and the manner in which the watercourses of the district may be used for sewer outlets for disposal of waste.

(5) To prescribe the permissible uses of the water supply provided by the lake and to prevent the pollution or unnecessary waste of such water supply.

(6) To prescribe or regulate the discharge into sewers of the district of any liquid or solid waste deemed detrimental to the works and improvements of the district.

(7) To establish rules and regulations and cause them to be enforced with regard to activities engaged in upon Lake St. Joseph that are not regulated by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

B. The board shall make recommendations to the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission for proposed regulations pertaining to hunting, fishing, trapping, water sports, boating, and the operation of any watercraft upon the proposed lake.

Acts 2003, No. 328, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2256 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2256
Supplies not ordinarily obtainable from Louisiana firms
Status: in_force

In the purchase of said supplies not ordinarily obtainable from Louisiana firms, it shall be permissible to purchase from non-resident firms which are authorized to do business in the state of Louisiana, which maintain an office in the state where payment for supplies may be made, and are otherwise qualified to do business in the state; provided, however, that in the awarding of such contracts Louisiana firms shall first be given an opportunity to furnish said supplies and shall be given preference.

Acts 1958, No. 318, §6.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1581 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1581
Establishment of system
Status: in_force

A. The Jefferson Parish Council, governing authority of all Jefferson Parish drainage districts pursuant to its home rule charter, either within or without the corporate limits of a municipal corporation, may establish, acquire, construct, improve, extend, and maintain within Jefferson Parish drainage districts a drainage system or systems, including such drainage facilities as may be required, with all necessary equipment and installations in connection therewith, including such extensions as may be proper to connect the system or systems with the drainage facilities of the district or any other drainage facilities whether within or without any such district.

B. The parish council may levy and collect local or special assessments on real property to be benefitted within the district or the area served within the district sufficient in amount to defray the total cost of said work, including the cost of street intersections and installations and connections necessary to connect the system with the main drainage system of the district or necessary to connect the system with any drainage facilities whether within or without the district, including the cost of establishing, constructing, improving, and extending any such drainage facilities, whether by purchase, lease, or otherwise, or including the cost of the construction of complete drainage facilities, including levees and pumping facilities, either within or without the districts, all within the form and manner and subject to the limitations and restrictions herein contained.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 708, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:454 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 454
Payment of bonds
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners shall set aside and deduct out of the taxes, local contributions, and other revenues of the levee board or levee and drainage board, by preference over all other claims, an amount sufficient to pay the bonds as they mature, as provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds, and the amount set aside shall be used to pay and discharge the bonds at maturity. This Subpart shall not be construed so that bonds issued under the provisions of this Subpart shall constitute a charge upon the revenues prior to the charge of any outstanding bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness heretofore issued by the levee district or levee and drainage district, pursuant to authority conferred by law, except that bonds issued under the provisions of this Subpart shall be accorded the same rank and priority in the application and distribution of the taxes and revenues which were originally accorded to the bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness paid, refunded, or refinanced.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2220.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2220.1
Civil action for violations of this Part; legislative intent
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the legislature in enacting R.S. 38:2220.1 through 2220.4 to authorize private citizens and other entities to institute a civil action against public entities to deter the construction of public works or the purchase of materials and supplies in violation of the provisions of R.S. 38:2211 et seq. The provisions of these Sections shall not be construed to eliminate or reduce any causes of action or other forms of relief provided by existing law, including but not limited to suits authorized by R.S. 38:2220.

Acts 1999, No. 1050, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2601 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2601
Creation
Status: in_force

The Cypress-Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation District is hereby created.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 292, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.348 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.348
Parcel fee
Status: in_force

A.(1) The Lake St. John Recreation and Water Conservation District may levy and collect a parcel fee on improved parcels within its boundaries. The parcel fee shall be imposed by resolution or ordinance of the board of commissioners of the district only after the question of the imposition of the parcel fee and the purpose, rate, and duration of such fee has been approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the district voting at an election held therein. The proceeds from the levy of said parcel fee shall be expended for costs of operation of the district, including management and control of water levels and aquatic plant growth within the district and protection and preservation of the works, improvements, and properties owned or controlled by the district, prescribing the manner of their use by public corporations and persons, and preserving order within and adjacent thereto. Any parcel fee imposed pursuant to this Section shall be levied and collected and be due and owing annually. Such fee may be carried on the tax rolls for Concordia Parish and collected at the same time as parish ad valorem taxes.

(2) If any parcel fee is not paid when due, the district shall proceed against the parcel for collection of the amount of the fee unpaid and delinquent, any collection costs incurred by the district plus interest at a rate not exceeding twelve percent on the unpaid amount of the parcel fee, and in the event legal proceedings are necessary to effect collection, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. However, attorney fees shall be payable by the parcel owner only if demand by the board of commissioners has been made on said owner by certified mail, and such parcel owner has failed to pay the amount due within ten days after such demand.

(3) A judgment obtained for nonpayment of a parcel fee, upon being recorded in the mortgage records of Concordia Parish, shall prime all other liens except those for taxes and prior recorded local or special assessments. If there are one or more property mortgages on such parcel and the mortgage holder or holders have notified the tax collector in the parish of such recorded mortgage in accordance with the requirements of R.S. 47:2180.1, the district, prior to proceeding against such parcel for failure to pay a parcel fee, shall give notice to each mortgagee of the amount of the parcel fee due and owing on such parcel and that such fee must be paid within twenty days after mailing the notice or proceedings will be commenced against the parcel. The notice shall be sent to each such mortgage holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal or domiciliary service on such mortgage holder.

B.(1) The district may incur debt and issue bonds payable from an irrevocable pledge and dedication of all or a portion of the proceeds of the parcel fee, provided that the question of funding said proceeds into bonds shall have been approved by a majority vote of the qualified electors of the district voting at an election held therein and the State Bond Commission has approved the issuance of the bonds. The question or proposition with respect to the funding of the proceeds of the parcel fee may be submitted at a separate election held for that purpose. The maturities of the bonds shall be so arranged that the total amount of principal and interest falling due in such year on all bonds theretofore issued payable from such parcel fee shall not exceed eighty percent of the estimated proceeds to be received from the levy of such parcel fee in the calendar year in which the bonds are issued.

(2) The bonds may be sold at public or private sale and shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the board of commissioners of the district, provided the bonds shall mature over a period not to exceed the period for which the parcel fee, the proceeds of which are to be used to pay principal and interest on the bonds, is authorized. The bonds and the income therefrom shall be exempt from taxation by the state and by any parish, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.

C. The district may incur debt and issue certificates of indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 33:2921 through 2925, subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission.

D.(1) A "parcel" as used in this Section shall mean one or more lots, subdivided portions of ground, or individual tracts identified by an individual assessment number on the assessment rolls of Concordia Parish. A partial owner of a parcel shall be responsible for that proportion of the parcel fee equal to the proportion of the value of the entire parcel assigned to the partial owner on the assessment roll.

(2) An "improved parcel" as used in this Section shall mean a parcel on which a permanent building suitable for residential or commercial use is situated.

E. The district may create different classes of real estate and present to the voters a proposition to levy or impose different parcel fees for each class.

Acts 2005, No. 214, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.127 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.127
Audit
Status: in_force

The district shall be audited pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

Acts 1999, No. 588, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1604 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1604
Creation of district on petition of property owners; procedure to be followed
Status: in_force

Upon the failure or refusal of any parish to create drainage districts when needed, or on the failure or refusal of any one or more parishes to create drainage districts composed of lands situated partly in each parish, then the parishes shall create a drainage district when petitioned to do so by the property owners owning a majority of the acres of land in the proposed drainage district. The petition shall describe the area to be included in the drainage district and shall designate the name of the district. It shall be signed by the owners of a majority of the acreage to be included in the district, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of the clerk of court and ex-officio recorder of the parish or parishes in which the land is situated certifying to the ownership of the land to be included in the drainage district together with the acreage of each owner, as appears from the records of his office, and if the ownership of any land is unknown, this fact shall also be made to appear by the certificate. The clerks of court and recorders of the parishes shall furnish the certificate.

In creating a drainage district composed of lands situate in more than one parish, upon the petition of landowners, it shall not be necessary to present a petition to the governing authority of each of the parishes, but it shall be sufficient to present the petition to the governing authority of the parish in which the majority of the acreage of the lands in the proposed drainage district is situated, and the drainage district shall then be created by ordinance of the governing authority.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:440 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 440
Courts may enforce payment of principal and interest
Status: in_force

In case for any cause it becomes necessary in order to enforce payment of the principal or interest of the bonds, any court of competent jurisdiction, at the joint or separate suit of any holder or holders of the bonds, shall require the tax collectors of the respective parishes of the levee district or levee and drainage district, under the direction and orders of the court, to proceed to levy and collect taxes and local contributions levied in R.S. 38:439 and to pay the amount so collected into the state treasury. The amount so paid shall not be used for any other purpose than to pay the interest and principal of the bonds.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1589 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1589
Form and registration of certificates
Status: in_force

The said drainage certificates shall be signed by the chairman of the Jefferson Parish Council and by its clerk or secretary for, on behalf of, and in the name of the district and under the seal thereof. The interest coupons, if any, shall be signed with the facsimile signature of the said officers. Before delivery of said certificates, they shall be registered in the mortgage records of the parish in which the drainage district is located as to the serial number or numbers, amount, rate of interest, and the dates due. Each of the said certificates shall bear the following endorsement, viz:

"This certificate registered in the Mortgage Records of the Parish of ________________ on this the ______ day of________________, 1983.

_____________________________

Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio

Recorder of Mortgages, Parish of

_______________________________"

Added by Acts 1983, No. 708, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.40 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.40
Construction which would impede flow of water in creek prohibited; pollution defined and prohibited; penalties fixed for violations
Status: in_force

A.(1) No person or public corporation shall erect within the drainage area of the district any dam or reservoir upon any stream or watercourse which will affect the creek until a copy of the plans thereof has been filed with the board of commissioners and approved.

(2) Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both.

B.(1) No person shall knowingly and willfully empty or drain or permit to be drained from any pump, reservoir, well, or oil field, into any stream or drain constituting the watershed of the creek, or from any stream within said district into said creek any oil, salt water, or other noxious, toxic, hazardous, or poisonous gas, liquid, or substance which would render the water unfit for irrigation purposes or for human consumption through "water districts" or would destroy aquatic and fish life in the creek.

(2) Each and every day that oil, salt water, or any other substance described in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection is permitted to flow into natural streams or drains which constitute the watershed of the creek shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(3) Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than three months, or both.

C.(1) No person shall:

(a) Obstruct drainage channels which compose any drain or stream flowing into the creek by bridging them except in accordance with plans, specifications, and instructions prescribed by the board of commissioners of the district.

(b) Construct dams, locks, or gates in drainage channels of the watershed of the creek or into the creek itself without permission of the commission.

(c) Anchor rafts, crafts, fish traps, fish cars, and other obstacles in the channel of any stream, drain, or natural flow of the feeder streams of the watershed of the creek or the creek itself.

(d) Float timber in the watershed of the creek.

(2) Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both.

D.(1) No proprietor, owner, lessee, or possessor of land abutting upon the creek or upon any public road paralleling the water line or contiguous to the creek shall in any manner close or place any obstruction in any drain or ditch, whether on private property or on the public road or levee adjacent to the road, which will in any manner interfere with the effective, thorough, and continuous drainage into the creek.

(2) Whoever violates this Subsection shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for more than sixty days, or both.

Acts 1995, No. 443, §1, eff. June 17, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.13
Tax exemption; mineral leases unabridged
Status: in_force

Should the district or the Department of Transportation and Development acquire a servitude, right of use, or title in full ownership to immovable property or any other property, such property shall not be subject to any ad valorem tax or tax of any nature by the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision thereof so long as such property is used for the purpose of the district. The provisions of this Part shall in no way abridge the right of any individual, person, firm, or corporation from whom a servitude or right of use may have been acquired to lease the land subject thereto for the production of oil, gas, or other minerals and to produce or cause to be produced oil, gas, or other minerals from such property so long as said leases are subject to the terms and conditions of the servitude executed in favor of the commission.

Acts 1992, No. 888, §2, eff. July 8, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:471 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 471
Authority to issue bonds
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners or other governing authority of any levee district or levee and drainage district in the state may issue bonds of the district, in addition to any bonds which it is now authorized by law to issue, for the purpose of constructing levees, drainage, levee drainage, and for all other purposes incidental thereto, including the purchase of equipment, the payment of the cost of lands and improvements thereon used or destroyed for levees, drainage, or levee drainage purposes, and for the payment of any outstanding indebtedness incurred for such purposes or for any one or more of such purposes. The bonds shall be known as "Levee Improvement Bonds" and shall mature in annual installments in the amounts which shall be prescribed by the board of commissioners of the district beginning not more than three years from their date and running not more than forty years from their date. The bonds shall bear interest as provided in R.S. 39:1421 et seq., payable annually or semiannually. The bonds shall be sold at the time or times and in the amounts which the board of commissioners of the district shall determine.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2359 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2359
Functions and responsibilities; Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority
Status: in_force

A. The authority shall administer the programs of the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board. The executive director may use his contracting authority, or the contracting authority of any state department or agency, to implement the provisions of this Chapter. His contracting authority shall include construction management at risk, operation and maintenance, design-build, design-build-operate and maintain, design-build-finance-operate and maintain, outcome-based performance contracts, or any combination of design, construction, finance, and services for operation and maintenance of any project authorized by the board, where appropriate. The Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority shall promulgate, through the Administrative Procedure Act, rules, regulations, or guidelines for the implementation of the contracting authority granted by the provisions of this Section. The Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority shall have the authority to execute and implement contracts entered into by the board.

B. The authority shall implement projects in the upland area as approved by the board and consistent with the legislative intent of this Chapter. However, no project shall be undertaken except those included in an annual plan finally approved by the legislature in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 38:2354, regardless of the source of funds for the project, except in cases of projects undertaken and financed out of the emergency fund, established in the annual plan. An emergency for which such fund shall be used shall be defined by the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board and all funds shall be spent only in accord with procedures established by the authority board for such fund. All projects undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be either funded through the Statewide Flood Program, the state general fund, or other sources of funding available to the authority, including but not limited to direct federal aid, grants, gifts, and other donations received by the state for the purposes of this Chapter.

C. The authority shall:

(1) Have oversight over the administration of all matters related to the study, planning, engineering, design, construction, extension, improvement, repair, and regulation of projects within its jurisdiction.

(2) Take such other actions not inconsistent with law as are necessary to perform the functions of the authority.

D. The authority may:

(1) Negotiate and execute contracts, upon such terms as the authority may agree, for legal, financial, consulting, or other professional services or personal services necessary to the conduct of the authority. In addition, the authority may enter into contracts for engineering and construction services or agreements with the federal government, local governing authorities, political subdivisions, or with other public or private entities for the administration, implementation, or enforcement of integrated noncoastal projects, programs, or activities as directed by the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board.

(2) Acquire by purchase, donation, or otherwise any land rights needed for integrated upland area projects and other property required for the operation of the projects that are to be owned and operated by the office or political subdivision of the state; provided, that any property acquired for any project may reserve the minerals to the landowners, whether private or public, in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 31:149.

(3) Develop procedures to evaluate new and improved flood protection technologies.

(4) Perform pre-construction and post-construction monitoring of projects that will be implemented or have been implemented by the office.

(5) Coordinate its efforts with local governments, political subdivisions, interest groups, and the public.

(6) Develop, implement, operate, maintain, and monitor plans and projects within its jurisdiction and consistent with the legislative intent of this Title.

(7) Take any other action necessary to administer any plans, projects, policies, or programs consistent with the master plan or any annual plan, including but not limited to issuing bonds or incurring other debt obligations, provided that such bonds or other debt obligations shall be subject to the approval of and sold by the State Bond Commission in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 39:1403.

(8) Utilize the services of the Natural Resources Trust Authority for funding support.

E.(1) The board or the authority shall be authorized to solely utilize the science and technology capacity of Louisiana universities, the water institute, and other institutes within the state to enhance programs, projects, and activities for the following purposes:

(a) To identify any uncertainty related to the physical, chemical, geological, biological, or cultural baseline conditions in the upland area.

(b) To improve the knowledge of the physical, chemical, geological, biological, or cultural baseline conditions in the noncoastal area.

(c) To identify and develop technologies, models, methods, and demonstrations to carry out the purposes of this Subsection.

(2) In carrying out the provisions of this Subsection, the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority Board or the Coordinated Use of Resources for Recreation, Economy, Navigation, and Transportation Authority may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with Louisiana universities, the water institute, or other institutes within the state as authorized in this Subsection to enhance relevant programs, projects, and activities.

(3) For the purposes of this Subsection, the water institute shall mean The Water Institute of the Gulf, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, incorporated on March 25, 2011, or its successors.

F. Any rule, regulation, or guideline developed pursuant to this Subpart shall be proposed or adopted pursuant to the rulemaking procedures set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act.

Acts 2025, No. 418, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2837 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2837
Playgrounds, parks and other facilities; limitation
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners, under the supervisory control of the State Department of Public Works, shall have the power to cause to be created and constructed playgrounds, picnic grounds, grounds for recreation parks, and any and all other facilities to accommodate the public and to provide adequate access to the said lake, as may within the opinion of the said board become necessary but not to exceed two acres at any one place, and said district shall have the right of eminent domain and expropriation in the exercise of such powers.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 262, §17.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1674.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1674.6
Issuance of Certificates
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of any drainage district complying with the provisions of R.S. 38:1674.1 through R.S. 38:1674.10 shall be and is hereby authorized to issue, execute, negotiate, sell and deliver negotiable interest bearing drainage certificates of the district in an amount not exceeding the total amount of the installments or deferred payments, as provided for in R.S. 38:1674.5, said certificates to bear interest at a rate or rates not exceeding the maximum rate provided for conventional interest by the Louisiana Civil Code as the same now exists or may be hereafter amended, payable annually, and to mature serially over a period not exceeding twenty years, but in no event shall said certificates extend over a longer period of time than that provided for by the ordinance levying the local or special assessments which may be payable in annual installments. Said certificates shall be of such form, date, denomination and payable in principal and interest at such time and place as the board may determine, and such certificates shall be secured by and payable in principal and interest from the irrevocable pledge and dedication of the funds derived from the levying and collection of the said local or special assessments, as hereinabove provided, and which funds shall be set aside in a separate fund and shall not be drawn upon for any other purpose than to pay the principal and interest of said certificates. Said certificates shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of Article X, Section 13 of the Louisiana Constitution and shall be secured as therein and herein provided.

Added by Acts 1962, No. 144, §1. Amended by Acts 1970, No. 617, §4.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2553 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2553
Body corporate; powers
Status: in_force

The Bayou D'Arbonne Lake Watershed District shall constitute a body corporate in law, with all the powers of a corporation, and with all the powers and rights of a political subdivision of the state as provided by the laws of the state relating to the incurring of debt and the issuing of bonds therefor. This district, through its board of commissioners, may incur debt and issue negotiable bonds in accordance with the power and authority and in the form and manner, and with the effect and security now or hereafter provided by the constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana. This district, through its board of commissioners, may incur debt and contract obligations in accordance with law, sue and be sued, have a corporate seal, and do and perform any and all acts in its corporate capacity and in its corporate name which are necessary and proper for carrying out the purposes and object for which it is created. It shall have the power of eminent domain and may expropriate property for all its purposes and objectives. Through its governing authority, the district may conserve the fresh water supply within its boundaries for the benefit of the inhabitants and property owners within said district and state, to provide water for commercial, municipal and any other uses, both within and without the district. It may construct, lease, maintain, acquire, enlarge and operate any machinery or do any other thing necessary for the use and purpose of the district. It may own in full ownership all servitudes, rights of way, flowage rights and may acquire same by donation, prescription, purchase, expropriation, or otherwise.

Added by Acts 1956, No. 9, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:324 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 324
Protection of obligations
Status: in_force

This Chapter is in no way and to no extent intended to nor shall it be construed in any manner which will impair the contractual or other obligations of any levee board or levee and drainage board of the state of Louisiana.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1770 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1770
Acreage tax
Status: in_force

A.(1) Gravity drainage districts and gravity subdrainage districts through their governing authority may impose and collect annually, in addition to the tax authorized by R.S. 39:551, an acreage tax or forced contribution not exceeding fifty cents per acre per year on each and every acre of land composing the gravity drainage district or gravity subdrainage district, for a period not exceeding forty years, and for the purpose of supporting or securing bonds issued to readjust, refund, extend, or unify the bonded indebtedness of the district or subdistrict, the governing authority may increase or decrease the rate of all or any portion of the acreage taxes or forced contributions. No increase, however, which together with the acreage taxes or forced contributions theretofore levied and imposed, shall exceed fifty cents per acre per annum. The governing authority may extend the period of time during which acreage taxes or forced contributions are to be levied and assessed, but the entire period during which all acreage taxes or forced contributions shall be imposed shall not exceed forty years. The acreage tax or forced contribution shall be imposed by the governing authority of the gravity drainage district or gravity subdrainage district, when the governing authority is petitioned by landowners owning more than two-thirds of the acres in the gravity drainage or gravity subdrainage district, requiring the levying of the acreage tax and stating the amount thereof and the number of years for which the tax shall be levied, or if no petition is filed, then the governing authority may, in its discretion, and shall upon a petition of a majority in number of landowners and a majority in number of acres, order an election to be held to determine whether or not the acreage tax or forced contribution shall be imposed, the amount thereof, and the length of time the tax shall run.

(2) The gravity drainage district or gravity subdrainage district, acting through its governing authority may incur debt and issue negotiable bonds therefor, including the incurring of debt and issuing of bonds for the purpose of readjusting, refunding, extending, or unifying the whole or any part of the principal or interest, or both, of outstanding bonds, the payment of which is supported or secured by acreage taxes, or forced contributions, running no longer than forty years from the date thereof, when secured by the acreage tax not exceeding fifty cents per acre, when authorized so to do by a vote of a majority in number of acres owned by landowners qualified to vote under the Constitution and laws of Louisiana, who vote at an election held for that purpose, and a majority in number of landowners of the gravity drainage district or gravity subdrainage district qualified to vote under the Constitution and laws of Louisiana, who vote at an election held for that purpose in the manner as provided in this Part. The total amount of the debt incurred or bonds issued shall not exceed in principal and interest the aggregate amount to be raised by the forced contributions or acreage taxes during the period for which the taxes are levied.

B.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of Subsection A of this Section to the contrary as to the amount of acreage tax or forced contribution to be imposed, gravity drainage and gravity subdrainage districts in St. Landry Parish, through their governing authority, may impose and collect annually, in addition to the tax authorized by R.S. 39:569, an acreage tax or forced contribution not exceeding three dollars per acre per year. No increase in the rate of all or any portion of the acreage taxes or forced contributions which together with the acreage taxes or forced contributions theretofore levied and imposed shall exceed three dollars per acre per annum. The gravity drainage or gravity subdrainage district acting through its governing authority may incur debt and issue negotiable bonds therefor, when secured by the acreage tax not exceeding three dollars per acre.

(2) The acreage tax or forced contribution shall be levied, assessed, and imposed, debts shall be incurred, and negotiable bonds shall be issued in the manner provided in Subsection A of this Section.

Acts 1995, No. 649, §1, eff. June 20, 1995; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 5, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:437 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 437
Annual tax to pay interest
Status: in_force

For the purpose of paying the interest of the bonds, the levee boards and levee and drainage boards shall levy annually to an amount sufficient for that purpose the taxes and local contributions which they are authorized and empowered to levy and which they may hereafter be authorized to levy. From the first money realized from the taxes and local contributions, the state treasurer shall set apart annually the amount necessary to pay the interest and the money thus set apart shall not be diverted to any other purpose. The auditor, in issuing his warrant for the payment of any interest coupons, shall punch twice in the center each coupon so paid and shall paste the coupons so punched in a book or register to be kept by him for that purpose. Whenever the state shall have a fiscal agency in the city of New Orleans, the board of commissioners shall make the necessary arrangements through the state treasurer to have the interest paid at the agency.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:319 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 319
Emergency procedures manual
Status: in_force

Each board of commissioners of each levee district and levee and drainage district shall prepare a written procedures manual to be used during periods of emergency to facilitate the immediate and orderly actions of each board during an emergency. The manual shall initially be completed by December 1, 1985, and shall be updated every two years and submitted to the office of engineering, or its successor, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources for review.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985; Acts 2012, No. 601, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1854 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1854
Form of ballots
Status: in_force

The ballots to be used at a special election hereunder shall be in substantially the following form:

"Shall _______________ (Name of Consolidated

Gravity Drainage District) assume the outstanding

bonded and other indebtedness of (Designation

of district or districts debt or debts to be assumed)

as follows: ________________(Amount)

YES

[ ]

Taxable Valuation: $_______________

NO

[ ]

______________________________________

(Signature of Voter)

Notice to Voters: To vote in favor of the proposition submitted on this ballot, place a cross (X) mark in the square opposite the word 'YES'; to vote against it, place a similar mark opposite the word 'NO.' "
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:434 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 434
Exchange of new for old bonds; duties of state treasurer and auditor
Status: in_force

The direct exchange of bonds shall be effected by the state treasurer, upon the warrant of the auditor of the state, in pursuance of a resolution of the levee board or levee and drainage board. The treasurer, immediately upon effecting the exchange, shall cancel by irremediably defacing the bonds received in exchange and immediately draw up a proces verbal which shall be made in triplicate reciting the transaction giving an exact description of the bonds exchanged, by the number, series, date, maturity, etc. The treasurer shall keep one original in his office and shall transmit one original to the state auditor to be kept there on file and one original to the secretary of the levee board or levee and drainage board. The bonds received in exchange and cancelled by being defaced shall be immediately transmitted by the treasurer to the secretary of the board to be destroyed by the board in open session at the meeting of the board next following the date of transmission. A proces verbal of the destruction, giving the description of the bonds by numbers, series, denominations, etc., shall be entered upon the minutes of the meeting, and when the exchange has been finally completed, a general proces verbal of the destruction shall be signed by the president and secretary of the board respectively and published in the official journal of the state, and a certified copy thereof shall be filed with the state auditor. The board shall fix the rate not to be less than par at which the bonds shall be exchanged.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.

{{NOTE: REGARDING R.S. 38:431-436, SEE ALSO R.S. 38:1117(A)(3) AS PER ACTS 1985, NO. 466, §2, WHICH MAY BE CONFLICTING.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:330.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 330.10
Statutory reference
Status: in_force

A. Subject to the limitations of liability as set forth in R.S. 38:330.3, whenever a reference to the "board of commissioners", "levee board" or "board of levee commissioners" of the Algiers Levee District, East Jefferson Levee District, Lake Borgne Basin Levee District, Orleans Levee District, or West Jefferson Levee District appears in any statute, or in a contract, or a legal pleading, or in any other document, that reference shall be deemed to be a reference to the board of commissioners of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East or the board of commissioners of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank, as applicable.

B. Subject to the limitations of liability as set forth in R.S. 38:330.3, whenever a reference to the "board of commissioners", "levee board" or "board of levee commissioners" or "levee district" appears in any statute, that reference shall be deemed to include the board of commissioners of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank.

Acts 2006, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 475, §1, eff. July 12, 2007.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:327.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 327.1
Lake Borgne Surge Barrier; memorial
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 42:267 or any other law to the contrary, the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier, otherwise known as the "Great Wall of Louisiana", shall be named the President George W. Bush Surge Barrier.

Acts 2024, No. 441, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1779 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1779
Voting hours
Status: in_force

The polls shall be open on the date appointed at 7 o'clock A.M., and remain open until and not later than 6 o'clock P.M. No election shall be vitiated by the failure to open the polls at the time prescribed or by closing them before the time prescribed, unless on a contest, it be established that voters were thereby deprived of votes sufficiently in number and amount to have changed the result of the election.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2717 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2717
Management of improvements
Status: in_force

A. The board of commissioners shall have the right to regulate the construction and use of all piers, docks, bridges, and other improvements built or erected on any part of the district to be inundated by the proposed lake and shall further have the right to regulate and control the erection of any improvements of any kind whatever within the area between the 138.5 contour line and the 147.5 contour line or within 1320 feet perpendicular to the 138.5 contour line, whichever distance is greater. The board of commissioners shall have the authority and power to regulate the improvements by the issuance of permits for same and fix a fee for the issuance thereof.

B. The board of commissioners may charge an annual fee for the permit to maintain improvements on or within the area between the 138.5 contour line and the 147.5 contour line or within 1320 feet perpendicular to the 138.5 contour line whichever distance is greater.

Acts 1989, No. 176, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:439 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 439
Duty of auditor where levee boards and levee and drainage boards fail to levy tax
Status: in_force

In case of the failure of the levee board or levee and drainage board to levy the taxes and local contributions, as provided for in R.S. 38:437 and 38:438, or in case from any other cause the taxes and local contributions are not so levied, the state auditor, or officer charged with the functions of the state auditor, shall order the proper officers to extend the taxes upon the assessment rolls of the parishes and parts of parishes composing the levee district or levee and drainage district and shall order the proper officers of the parishes and parts of parishes to collect the taxes and local contributions to an amount sufficient to meet the purposes provided for by R.S. 38:437 and 38:438. The officers shall assess and collect the taxes and local contributions as so ordered; and, to that end, the taxes and local contributions are now, once and for all, hereby levied and ordered to be collected to an amount sufficient to provide for the payment of the interest and the creation of the sinking fund. The present levy of taxes and local contributions shall be operative only in the case the taxes and local contributions are not otherwise levied either because of failure on the part of the board to perform the duty imposed upon it by R.S. 38:437 and 38:438 or from any other cause.

Acts 1985, No. 785, §1, eff. July 22, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3102 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3102
Administration of relocation assistance programs
Status: in_force

In order to prevent unnecessary expenses and duplication of functions, the agency may make relocation payments or provide relocation assistance or otherwise carry out the functions required under this Chapter by utilizing the facilities, personnel, and services of any other federal, state or local governmental agency having an established organization for conducting relocation assistance programs.

Added by Acts 1971, No. 116, §1, emerg. eff. June 14, 1971.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2233.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2233.4
City of Baton Rouge/parish of East Baton Rouge; socially and economically disadvantaged businesses; procurement set-asides
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing authority of the city of Baton Rouge and parish of East Baton Rouge, referred to in this Section as the "city-parish", and any board, agency, or commission of the city-parish, through its respective fiscal officer or director of finance, may for each fiscal year designate and set aside for awarding to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses an amount not less than ten percent of the value of anticipated local procurement of goods and services, including construction or doing of any public work, including alteration or repair. However, should the governing authority of the city-parish or any board, agency, or commission of the city-parish choose to set aside a greater amount, then nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit such set-aside levels above ten percent, but not to exceed twenty-five percent.

B. The procurement set-aside as provided by Subsection A of this Section may be divided into contract award units of economically feasible production runs in order to facilitate offers or bids from socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. In making the annual designation of procurement set-asides, an attempt may be made to vary the included procurements so that a variety of goods and services, including construction or doing of any public work, including alteration or repair, produced by different socially and economically disadvantaged businesses may be set aside each year. The failure to set aside particular procurements shall not be considered to prohibit or discourage socially and economically disadvantaged businesses from seeking the procurement award through the normal solicitation and bidding processes.

C.(1)(a) The governing authority of the city-parish shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Section. Such rules and regulations shall include procedures regarding the certification of socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. The procedure for determination of eligibility may include self-certification by a business if the governing authority retains the ability to verify a self-certification.

(b) No business shall be awarded a contract pursuant to the provisions of this Section unless it has met the certification requirements established by the governing authority of the city-parish.

(2) The rules and regulations adopted by the governing authority may also provide for the establishment of a contract procedure for the awarding of contracts pursuant to this Section. The governing authority may adopt a requirement that the prime contractor award a certain percentage, not to exceed twenty-five percent, of the total dollar bid to socially and economically disadvantaged subcontractors. This requirement may be waived if the prime contractor, after a good faith effort, is unable to comply with the requirement.

D. If the governing authority of the city-parish, or any board, agency, or commission of the city-parish, is unable to award all of its procurement set-asides to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, then the balance of the procurement set-asides shall be awarded to other businesses in accordance with existing solicitation, bid evaluations, and contract award provisions otherwise provided by law.

E. All laws and rules pertaining to solicitations, bid evaluations, contract awards, and other procurement matters shall apply to procurements set aside for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses as provided in this Section. If a conflict exists with the provisions of this Section, the provisions of this Section shall govern.

Acts 2022, No. 221, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2043 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2043
Meetings of board; officers; salaries and expenses
Status: in_force

The board shall convene and hold its first meeting in the city of Alexandria within sixty days after the appointment of commissioners. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum to do business. The board shall elect one of its members president and shall appoint a secretary, and shall fix the salaries or compensation of the president and secretary. The board shall designate the time and place for holding regular meetings. Special meetings may be held at such times and places as shall be specified by call of the president or of two of the commissioners. In the case of the death or resignation of the president, the secretary shall call the board together to fill the vacancy. In case of absence, inability, or failure to act of the president, the board shall appoint one of its number to serve as chairman, and the person so appointed shall perform all the duties of the president.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 69, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2872 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2872
Contracts of the district
Status: in_force

Contracts of the district shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 10 of this Title, relative to public contracts (R.S. 38:2181 et seq.).

Added by Acts 1966, No. 299, §12; Acts 2005, No. 81, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:345 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 345
Certain levee boards; ad valorem tax expenditures; Parish Transportation Fund expenditures
Status: in_force

A. This Section shall apply to the Fifth Louisiana Levee District.

B. The legislature may appropriate one million dollars in Fiscal Year 1997-1998 to such a levee district as provided for in Subsection A of this Section.

C. The funds designated by this Section shall be retained in a separate account of the levee district to be expended solely for the purposes of levee construction, levee maintenance, and other flood control works necessary to help alleviate flooding within the district.

D.(1) Any levee board of a levee district as provided for in this Section shall adopt a flood prevention plan which shall include reconstruction of the levee in conjunction with the United States Corps of Engineers and which shall require approval of the board for any expenditures of monies herein dedicated to flood control.

(2) The flood prevention plan shall list all projects to be undertaken during each fiscal year which shall be based on anticipated revenues.

(3) The board shall undertake a continuing study of the flood control needs of the district and shall provide a list of projects which may be reasonably anticipated to be undertaken in the following two years.

Acts 1997, No. 736, §1; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 5, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3003 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3003
Board of commissioners created
Status: in_force

The Board of Commissioners of the Jackson-Bienville Parishes Dugdemona Watershed District, within its powers and duties as defined herein, is hereby created and established as the governing board of the Jackson-Bienville Parishes Watershed District.

Added by Acts 1970, No. 600, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:102 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 102
Powers
Status: in_force

A. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority may do all things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Chapter, including but not limited to the things expressly provided for in this Section.

B. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority may enter into contracts and agreements of any nature for the purposes of this Chapter with any person either natural or artificial, corporation, association, or other entity, including public corporations, levee districts, port authorities, state departments, agencies, parishes, municipalities, the United States government and agencies thereof, or any combination thereof or with instrumentalities of every kind, and may designate any department, agency, municipality, parish, levee district, and industrial district, or other political subdivision of the state as its agent to carry out the purposes of and the powers granted under this Chapter. The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board or the executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority may negotiate with and enter into contracts or other agreements with any such person or entity concerning the joint administration of the project, including jurisdictional aspects of the state's administration of the project, and providing lands, servitudes and rights-of-way, and the relocation of project facilities and may engage jointly in the exercise of any power and in the construction of any facilities and improvements for the purposes of the project on any basis, including matching of funds, which the participating entities may undertake under any provision of general or special law.

C. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority may institute or defend in courts of competent jurisdiction, including for the purposes of this Chapter, the courts and administrative tribunals of the United States of America, any legal proceedings that may be necessary or required to compel compliance with this Chapter or any actions taken hereunder or that may arise out of the performance of the obligations and duties imposed by this Chapter.

D. The powers granted under this Chapter shall be regarded as supplemental to powers conferred on the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority by other laws.

Acts 1993, No. 1012, §1, eff. June 25, 1993; Acts 2009, No. 523, §2, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2012, No. 604, §2, eff. June 7, 2012.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3081 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3081
Court review and injunctive relief
Status: in_force

A. Any aggrieved person of the district may, within thirty days after the adoption of any rule, regulation, order or taking of other action by the district, file suit in the district court in which the district is domiciled, to contest the said rule, regulation, order, or other action taken. The court may affirm the decision of the district or remand the case for further proceedings. The court may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the administrative findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are any of the following:

(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions.

(2) In excess of the statutory authority of the district.

(3) Made upon lawful procedure.

(4) Affected by other error of law.

(5) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.

(6) Manifestly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record. In the application of the rule, where the district has the opportunity to judge of the credibility of witnesses by firsthand observation of demeanor on the witness stand and the reviewing court does not, due regard shall be given to the district's determination of credibility issues.

B. On institution of any such suit, the court shall issue an order setting the matter for trial, as by summary process, and such suit shall be tried in term time, or in vacation, with the greatest possible dispatch. Pending a hearing, the court may grant a temporary restraining order suspending the action of the district upon a showing of immediate and irreparable injury in accordance with the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure Article 3603.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 678, §1; Acts 2025, No. 458, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1546 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1546
Forced contribution or acreage tax
Status: in_force

The board of drainage commissioners of any drainage district or sub-drainage district issuing funding or refunding bonds as above provided shall, as long as any bonds remain outstanding, levy annually upon the lands in the drainage district or sub-drainage district, forced contributions or acreage taxes in an amount sufficient to maintain the drainage of the land and to pay interest annually, or semi-annually, and the principal of funding or refunding bonds falling due each year, or the amount which may be required for any sinking fund providing for the payment of the funding or refunding bonds at maturity. The forced contributions or acreage taxes for all purposes shall never exceed three dollars and fifty cents per acre per annum. The taxes shall be assessed and collected in the same manner provided in R.S. 38:1789, 38:1790 and 38:1791.

The assessors shall receive as compensation for making the assessment roll the fees fixed by law on all ad valorem taxes and the sum of seventy five dollars for the listing of property to serve as a basis to collect the acreage tax which shall be paid him by the drainage district. The fee of seventy five dollars shall constitute the total charge for all rolls made for the district or subdistrict therein and the cost shall be divided between the original district and any subdrainage districts therein issuing bonds or levying a tax.

The tax collectors shall receive for all services rendered in collecting and paying the taxes provided for in this Part one-tenth of one per centum on the amount collected and paid in.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2320.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2320.1
Methods of procurement for specialized cranes and replacement parts
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, and in addition to the authority granted by any other provision of law, all port commissions and port, harbor, and terminal districts may purchase port-related specialized cranes and any replacement parts through a request for proposals. The process to purchase specialized cranes and replacement parts shall conform to the following:

(1) Specifications for the port-related specialized cranes and any replacement parts shall be prepared in advance and designate the specific class of any specialized crane and replacement part desired and may include requested or alternative features associated with such class of specialized crane or replacement part. The specifications may also include requirements for maintenance of the specialized crane or any replacement part.

(2) The commission or district may pre-qualify bidders for the procurement of any specialized crane or replacement part. Public notice of the request for qualifications shall include the date scheduled for opening the request for qualifications to bidders and shall be published at least twenty-five days prior to the scheduled date. The notice and all procedures for the pre-qualification shall be published on the website of the commission or district that is available to the general public. In addition, written notice of the request for qualifications may be mailed or emailed to firms that are known to be in a position to furnish specialized cranes or replacement parts. If the commission or district chooses to pre-qualify bidders for procurement, only those pre-qualified bidders may submit bids on the designated purchase contract.

(3) A request for proposals shall be mailed or emailed to all pre-qualified firms. If pre-qualification procedures are not used, then public notice of the request for proposals shall be given in the same manner as the public notice of the request for qualifications. The request for proposals shall include the following:

(a) The relative importance of price and warranties.

(b) The tasks expected to be performed pursuant to the contract.

(c) The functional specifications of the crane or any replacement parts.

(d) The expected time frame within which the specialized cranes will be delivered or the replacement parts provided.

(e) The criteria that will be used and the factors that will be considered when evaluating the proposals.

(4) The commission or district is authorized to negotiate the price, conditions, and terms of the purchase contract with any bidder who submits a proposal.

(5) Except as provided in Paragraph (6) of this Subsection, an award shall be made, in writing, to the bidder whose proposal is determined by the governing authority of the commission or district to be the most advantageous based upon the factors provided in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection. No other basis of evaluation shall be used except those set forth in the request for proposals.

(6) The governing authority of the commission or district may reject all proposals when it is deemed that this action is in the best interest of the commission, district, or local governmental entity.

B. For purposes of this Part, the term "specialized crane" shall mean a container crane, bulk unloader, spiral conveyor, or other cargo handling equipment used primarily in the operation of a port facility.

C. Any financing of the procurement of port, harbor, and terminal specialized cranes or replacement parts as provided for in this Section may be in amounts and upon terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the commission or district and the crane provider or repair company.

D. The governing authority of the commission or district may develop and adopt any guidelines, rules, or regulations necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2018, No. 173, §1, eff. May 15, 2018.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2705 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 2705
Oaths
Status: in_force

Before entering upon his official duties each member of the board of commissioners shall take an oath before an officer authorized by law to administer an oath that he will faithfully, honestly, and impartially perform his duties.

Acts 1958, No. 474, §5; Acts 1989, No. 176, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.153 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.153
Tax exemption; mineral leases unabridged
Status: in_force

Should the district or the Department of Transportation and Development acquire a servitude, right of use, or title in full ownership to immovable property or any other property, such property shall not be subject to any ad valorem tax or tax of any nature by the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision thereof so long as such property is used for the purpose of the district. The provisions of this Part shall in no way abridge the right of any individual, person, firm, or corporation from whom a servitude or right of use may have been acquired to lease the land subject thereto for the production of oil, gas, or other minerals and to produce or cause to be produced oil, gas, or other minerals from such property so long as said leases are subject to the terms and conditions of the servitude executed in favor of the commission.

Acts 2001, No. 474, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3087.352 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3087.352
Contracts let by board
Status: in_force

Any and all contracts of the district shall be let by the board of commissioners under the provisions of R.S. 38:2181 et seq.

Acts 2005, No. 214, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:1768 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 1768
Levy of tax or forced contribution
Status: in_force

The commissioners may provide the funds necessary for conducting drainage work by levying any tax or forced contribution which is authorized by the constitution and laws of this state. If the tax to be levied is an acreage tax levied by the vote of the electors of the gravity drainage district for gravity drainage, then the tax shall by resolution of the governing authority of the district, be levied for the full term for which it was voted. If the tax levied be an ad valorem tax assessed for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of the bonded indebtedness issued upon the vote of the property taxpayers, then the ad valorem tax shall be levied annually.
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:3085.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 38 / Section 3085.3
Purposes
Status: in_force

A. The general purpose for which the district is created is to make available an adequate fresh water supply for industrial and other consumption in the Grant Parish area, and the district may furnish fresh water to cities, towns, villages, industries, corporations, and persons both within and outside of the district.

B. The particular purposes of the district are:

(1) Preserve, store, control, conserve, utilize, and distribute the waters of the lakes, streams, and other bodies of water in the district.

(2) Prevent the pollution and blocking of such streams.

(3) Prevent contamination.

(4) Acquire, maintain, and operate facilities, including the construction of new ditches, channels, dams, and levees, and to do such work as may be necessary to the drainage of lands in the district.

(5) Prevent the escape of any such waters until employed to the maximum advantage of the public generally in aiding the development of agriculture, commerce, and industries, and in insuring a fair and just distribution of all of the waters for all of the people of the area for the accomplishment of the district's purposes.

C. The state Department of Public Works shall cooperate with the board insofar as is practicable in the furnishing of information and advice for the accomplishment of the district's purposes.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 28, §1.