ENROLLED
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ACT No. 869
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 497
BY REPRESENTATIVE BARRAS AND SENATOR MI LLS
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 to add11
Article VII, Section 21(L) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:12
ยง21. 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) Property in New Iberia under contract as provided in this Paragraph.18
Notwithstanding any provision of this constitution to the contrary, the governing19
authority of New Iberia may enter into contracts for the exemption from ad valorem20
taxes on property that is annexed by New Iberia after January 1, 2013. No such21
contract shall become effective unless it is approved by a two-thirds vote of the22
members of the governing authority of the city. A contract shall grant the property23
owner an exemption from ad valorem taxes for a period of up to five calendar years,24
and contracts may be renewed for up to five additional years if the renewal is25 ENROLLEDHB NO. 497
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approved by a two-thirds vote of the members of the governing authority. All1
property exempted pursuant to a contract shall be listed on the assessment rolls and2
submitted to the Louisiana Tax Commission or its successor, but no taxes shall be3
collected thereon during the period of exemption; however, the exemption authorized4
by this Paragraph shall in no way affect or impair the security of any bonds payable5
from the proceeds of a tax. The legislature may provide by law for implementation6
of the provisions of this Paragraph.7
Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted8
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 6,9
2012.10
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,11
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted12
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as13
follows:14
Do you support an amendment to authorize the granting of ad valorem tax15
exemption contracts by the city of New Iberia for property annexed by the16
city after January 1, 2013? (Adds Article VII, Section 21(L))17
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE