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)]
Pierre HB No. 258
Abstract: Relative to the North Lafayette Redevelopment Authority, changes the membership of
the governing board of the authority and provides for terms and qualifications of board
members. Provides relative to the district's boundaries.
Present law creates the North Lafayette Redevelopment Authority to provide for the utilization of
appropriate private and public resources to eliminate and prevent the development or spread of
slum, blighted, and distressed areas in north Lafayette. Provides that the authority is a special
district and political subdivision of the state.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the authority shall be comprised of Councilmanic Districts 3 and 4 of
the city of Lafayette as geographically drawn on July 14, 2008. Excludes certain properties.
Proposed law instead provides that the authority shall be comprised of the above-named districts
as geographically drawn on the effective date of proposed law. Otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides that the authority shall be governed by a board of nine commissioners
all of whom shall reside or be employed within the authority's boundaries and seven of whom
shall be qualified electors of the city as follows:
(1)Three commissioners appointed by the state senator representing Senate District 24.
(2)Two commissioners appointed by the La. state representative representing House District
44.
(3)One commissioner appointed by the councilperson representing Council District 3 of the
Lafayette City-Parish Council.
(4)One commissioner appointed by the councilperson representing Council District 4 of the
Lafayette City-Parish Council.
(5)One commissioner appointed by the mayor-president of Lafayette.
(6)The director of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. Requires members to serve five-year staggered terms without compensation but authorizes
reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the authority.
Proposed law increases the membership of the board from nine to 11. Grants an additional
appointment to the state representative for House District 44 and grants two appointments to the
state representative for House District 96. Removes one of the appointments granted to the state
senator for Senate District 24. Removes the appointment granted to the director of the Lafayette
Economic Development Authority and instead grants an appointment to the governing board of
the Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation. Requires all board members to be
residents or be employed within the jurisdiction of the authority and to be qualified electors of
Lafayette Parish. Retains present law requirement that board members serve five-year staggered
terms without compensation. Additionally retains present law provision authorizing
reimbursement for expenses.
Present law requires the elected officials granted appointments to the board to meet within 30
days of July 1, 2008, to make board appointments.
Proposed law instead requires the appointing authorities to meet within 60 days of the effective
date of proposed law to make board appointments.
Present law requires that the seven commissioners appointed by elected officials represent the
following organizations and industries: Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Greater
Southwest La. Black Chamber of Commerce, a citizen's neighborhood association, accounting,
the banking industry, and the real estate industry.
Proposed law removes the requirement that the seven appointments made by elected officials be
representatives of the above-named organizations and industries and instead makes the
requirement applicable to the full board membership. Requires the member who represents a
citizen's neighborhood association to be a member of an association located within the
jurisdiction of the authority.
Present law requires that each board member be a citizen of the U.S., a domiciliary of and a
qualified voter of the city of Lafayette for at least one year preceding the date of appointment,
and to remain a domiciliary of and a qualified voter of the city during the entirety of the term of
office. Additionally requires each board member to be of good character and to possess some
skill, knowledge, or experience that will prove useful in the accomplishment of the goals of the
authority.
Proposed law removes present law.
Present law requires that a certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any commissioner
be filed with the Lafayette Parish clerk. Provides that the certificate shall be conclusive evidence
of a proper appointment.
Proposed law retains present law. Present law requires vacancies to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Authorizes remaining board members to appoint an interim member until a new member is
confirmed.
Proposed law specifies that remaining members of the board may appoint an interim member if
the appointing authority fails to appoint within 30 days. Otherwise retains present law.
Present law requires the board to establish rules and regulations relative to the attendance and
participation of members in its meetings. Authorizes the board, upon approval of a majority of
its members, to provide for disqualification and automatic removal of board members should
they fail to comply with the board's rules and regulations. Provides that any person removed is
ineligible for reappointment to the board, unless his reappointment is confirmed unanimously by
the board.
Proposed law authorizes the board to adopt bylaws or other rules and regulations as it deems
necessary for conducting its business affairs. Provides that a board member may be removed for
cause upon the recommendation of a majority of the remaining membership of the board in
accordance with the board's bylaws. Retains present law provision that prohibits a removed
board member from being reappointed unless reappointment is confirmed unanimously by the
board.
Present law grants the board the power to organize and reorganize the executive, administrative,
clerical, and other departments and forces of the authority and to fix the duties, powers, and
compensation of all employees, agents, and consultants of the authority.
Proposed law instead grants the board power to appoint and retain all employees it deems
advisable and to fix the powers, duties, and compensation of the employees.
Present law requires the board to meet in regular session once each month and to meet in special
session as convened by the chairman or upon written notice signed by three members. Provides
that a majority of the members of the board, not including vacancies, constitutes a quorum for the
conduct of business.
Proposed law requires the board to hold regular meetings and authorizes the board to hold special
meetings as provided in the board's bylaws. Retains present law provision relative to a majority
of members constituting a quorum but removes provision relative to vacancies.
Proposed law provides that the terms of all members of the board serving on the effective date of
proposed law shall terminate on that date and requires that new board members be appointed in
accordance with proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 33:4720.171(F)(1) and (G))