HLS 12RS-783 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 456
BY REPRESENTATIVES BURRELL AND RICHARD
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Relative to revision of local government laws pursuant to HCR
No. 218 of the 2009 R.S., repeals certain obsolete or ineffective provisions
AN ACT1
To repeal R.S. 33:4874 and R.S. 48:492 through 495, relative to revision of local2
government laws pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 218 of the 20093
Regular Session of the Legislature; to repeal certain obsolete or ineffective4
provisions, specifically provisions relative to the power of local governments to5
punish vagrancy and provisions for laying out of public roads by a jury of6
freeholders, including provisions for an oath, for compensation of owners, for an7
appeal, and for the width of the roads and causeways; and to provide for related8
matters.9
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:10
Section 1. R.S. 33:4874 and R.S. 48:492 through 495 are hereby repealed in their11
entirety.12
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burrell HB No. 456
Abstract: Pursuant to HCR No. 218 of the 2009 R.S., relative to revision of local
government laws, repeals obsolete or ineffective provisions relative to the power of
local governments to punish vagrancy and provisions for laying out of public roads
by a jury of freeholders.
Present law (R.S. 33:4874) authorizes municipalities and police juries to adopt ordinances
punishing vagrancy by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $30, or by imprisonment of
not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days, or both. HLS 12RS-783 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 456
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Proposed law repeals present law. Proposed law does not affect state criminal vagrancy
statute.
Present law (R.S. 48:492-495) provides that all roads shall be laid out by a jury of
freeholders (not less than six parish inhabitants appointed by the parish governing authority).
Provides for an oath to be taken by such freeholders. Provides for land owners to claim just
compensation and requires the freeholders to assess damages sustained, to be paid by the
parish treasurer. Provides that this does not give any person a right to claim damages for the
laying out of a road along the front of his land (according to former La. customs) nor affect
rights to any batture or alluvion on the front of any tract on navigable water course. Provides
for appeal of freeholders' decision (as to the course of the road or damages) to the district
court. Provides that roads and bridges shall be at least 25 feet wide and that causeways on
a road shall be at least 14 feet wide. Requires that earth for a causeway be taken from each
side equally, so as to form a drain on each side.
Proposed law repeals present law.
(Repeals R.S. 33:4874 and R.S. 48:492-495)