The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cathy R. Wells.
DIGEST
Present law creates the New Orleans Regional Business Park (NORBP) as a political subdivision
of the state for the purpose of stimulating industrial and commercial development in Orleans
Parish and the adjacent parishes. Provides for district boundaries.
Present law provides that the district is managed by a 12-member board of commissioners with
members who are qualified voters and La. residents. Provides that the board is composed as
follows:
(1)One member appointed by the state representative who represents House District. No.
100.
(2)One member appointed by the state representative who represents House District No.
101.
(3)One member appointed by the state representative who represents House District No.
103.
(4)Two members appointed by the state senator who represents Senate District No. 2.
(5)One member appointed by the councilperson of the council district in which the NORBP
is located.
(6)Three members appointed by the mayor of the city of New Orleans.
(7)One member appointed by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.
(8)One member appointed by the secretary of the Dept. of Economic Development.
(9)One member appointed by the board of commissioners of the Port of New Orleans.
Proposed law makes changes to the board's appointing authorities and membership and increases
board membership to 13. Retains qualified voter and La. residency requirements and additionally
requires members to be district residents. Provides for the board to be composed as follows:
(1)One member appointed by the U.S. Representative who represents Louisiana's 2
nd
congressional district.
(2)One member appointed by the state representative who represents House District No. 99. (3)One member appointed by the state representative who represents House District No.
100.
(4)One member appointed by the state senator who represents Senate District No. 3.
(5)One member appointed by the state senator who represents Senate District No. 4.
(6)One member appointed by each councilperson who represents council districts D and E in
which the NORBP is located.
(7)Four members appointed by the mayor of the city. One shall be appointed from each list
of nominations submitted by the Vietnamese Initiatives in Economic Training, the East
New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission, and the board of commissioners for
the Port of New Orleans, and one shall be appointed from the city at large.
(8)One member appointed by the board of commissioners for the Downman Road Economic
Development District.
(9)The chairman of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce or his designee.
Present law provides that board members shall serve three-year terms.
Proposed law reduces the term of office to two years and requires members to serve without
compensation. Additionally provides that on the effective date of proposed law, the terms of all
members of the board serving on such date shall terminate, and the board shall be appointed
according to proposed law.
Present law provides that if any vacancy is not filled by a nominating entity within 60 days of
written notification, the board shall appoint an interim successor until filled by the nominating
entity. Provides that if the board fails to fill the vacancy within the next 60 days then the mayor
shall make the appointment. Provides that any member appointed by the board or mayor may be
replaced by the appointing authority at any time.
Proposed law removes present law and provides that if a vacancy is not filled by the nominating
entity within 60 days of written notification, then the board, by majority vote, shall make the
appointment for the balance of the term.
Present law provides for an automatic removal of any member who has unexcused absences of
50% or more of meetings. Provides that such vacated position shall be filled by the nominating
entity for the balance of the term.
Proposed law retains present law, but limits the amount of time the nominating entity has to fill
the position. The vacant position must be filled within 15 days by the nominating entity or it is
filled by a majority vote of the board for the balance of the term. Proposed law provides that a majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
business. Further requires that the board keep minutes of meetings and make them available to
the public in accordance with present law.
Proposed law requires the board to adopt rules and regulations to conduct its business and affairs
and further requires the board to engage assistants and employees as needed to assist the board in
performing its duties.
Present law provides that any member may be removed by his appointing authority at any time
with or without cause. Proposed law changes present law by providing that board members may
only be removed by a majority vote of the board with cause.
Proposed law provides that the term of office of any board member appointed by a congressman,
legislator, or councilperson terminates 60 days after the end of the term of office of the
appointing authority. Provides that members may be reappointed in accordance with proposed
law.
Present law provides that no law shall prohibit a member of the board from owning, operating,
participating with, or otherwise engaging in any transaction with a business entity located within
the district. Proposed law retains present law and authorizes board members to serve on the
board of a private entity which enters into contracts with the district provided that the member
does not receive compensation from the private entity.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 33:4702(B)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7))