HLS 12RS-1083 REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 497
BY REPRESENTATIVE BARRAS AND SENATOR MI LLS
TAX/AD VALOREM-EXEMPTION: (Constitutional Amendment) Authorizes the city of
New Iberia to grant contracts for the exemption of property annexed by the city
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to add Article VII, Section 21(L) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to authorize2
the governing authority of the city of New Iberia to grant ad valorem tax exemption3
contracts for certain property annexed by the city; to provide for the approval of4
contracts; to provide for certain contract limitations; to provide with respect to the5
assessment and taxation of property subject to a contract; to authorize the legislature6
to provide for implementation; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment7
to the electors; and to provide for related matters.8
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members9
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of10
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to11
amend Article VII, Section 21(L) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:12
§21. Other Property Exemptions13
Section 21. In addition to the homestead exemption provided for in Section14
20 of this Article, the following property and no other shall be exempt from ad15
valorem taxation:16
* * *17
(L) Notwithstanding any provision of this constitution to the contrary, the18
governing authority of the city of New Iberia is authorized to enter into contracts for19
the exemption from ad valorem taxes of property which is annexed by the city of20
New Iberia after January 1, 2013. Each contract shall require authorization by two-21 HLS 12RS-1083 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 497
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thirds vote of the governing authority of the city. A contract shall grant the property1
owner an exemption from ad valorem taxes for a period of up to five calendar years,2
and contracts may be renewed for up to five additional years. All property exempted3
pursuant to a contract shall be listed on the assessment rolls and submitted to the Tax4
Commission or its successor, but no taxes shall be collected thereon during the5
period of exemption; however, the exemption authorized by this Paragraph shall in6
no way affect or impair the security of any bonds payable from the proceeds of a tax.7
The legislature may provide by law for implementation of the provisions of this8
Paragraph.9
Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted10
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 6,11
2012.12
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,13
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted14
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as15
follows:16
Do you support an amendment to authorize the granting of ad valorem tax17
exemption contracts by the city of New Iberia for property annexed by the18
city after January 1, 2013? (Adds Article VII, Section 21(L))19
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)]
Barras HB No. 497
Abstract: Authorizes the city of New Iberia to grant ad valorem tax exemption contracts
to owners of property annexed by the city after Jan. 1, 2013.
Present constitution authorizes the levy of ad valorem tax by various units of local
government.
Proposed constitution retains present constitution and authorizes the granting of ad valorem
tax exemption contracts by the city of New Iberia for property annexed by the city after Jan.
1, 2013. HLS 12RS-1083 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 497
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Proposed constitution provides that a contract shall grant to the owner of the annexed
property a tax exemption for up to five calendar years, which may be renewed for an
additional five years.
Proposed constitution requires that all property exempted pursuant to a contract be listed on
the assessment rolls, but no taxes shall be collected thereon during the period of exemption;
however, the exemption shall in no way affect or impair the security of any bonds payable
from the proceeds of a tax.
Proposed constitution authorizes the legislature to provide by law for implementation of
proposed constitution.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 6, 2012.
(Adds Const. Art. VII, §21(L))