Louisiana House Bill HB1295

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/15/10
• Refer: 4/19/10

Caption

Authorizes the sale of state facilities to the Office Facilities Corporation

Impact

This bill impacts state property management and the operational framework of the Office Facilities Corporation by streamlining the process for selling state-owned properties. By eliminating the bidding requirement, it aims to facilitate quicker transactions, allowing the state to efficiently manage its assets. The requirement for legislative committee approval is intended to maintain oversight over such property transactions and ensure that they meet the state's fiscal standards.

Summary

House Bill 1295 aims to authorize the sale of state facilities to the Office Facilities Corporation, providing the commissioner of administration with the ability to sell immovable property without the necessity of competitive bidding or advertisement. The proposal includes safeguards requiring that each sale be based on an appraisal by an appointed individual and mandates approval from several legislative committees before any sale can proceed. If committees do not take action on the proposal within sixty days, the sale can move forward as proposed by the commissioner.

Sentiment

There is a generally favorable sentiment towards HB 1295 among supporters who view it as a means to efficiently manage state resources and facilitate better use of state property. However, there may be concerns regarding transparency and accountability due to the bypassing of competitive bidding procedures, which could lead to debates about the proper balance between expediency and vigilance in public asset management.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill may stem from concerns about the lack of bidding processes for property sales, which some critics argue could lead to potential mismanagement or favoritism in the sale of state property. The streamlined approach for selling properties might face scrutiny regarding its long-term implications on how state assets are valued and managed under shifting political priorities.