Morrell (SB 42) Act No. 269
Prior law created 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. Provided for district boundaries.
Prior law provided 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.
New 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. 1.
(6)One member appointed by the state senator who represents Senate District No. 4.
(7)One member appointed by the councilperson who represents Council District E.
(8)Three 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 Almonaster-Michoud Industrial District.
(9)One member appointed by the state representative who represents House District No.
103.
(10)The chairman of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce or his designee.
(11)The board of commissioners for the Port of New Orleans shall appoint one member.
Prior law provided that board members shall serve three-year terms. New law reduces the
term of office to two years, except for the chairman of the N.O. Chamber of Commerce, or
his designee, who is an ex officio board member, and requires members to serve without
compensation. Additionally provides that on the effective date of new law, the terms of all
members of the board serving on such date shall terminate, and the board shall be appointed
according to new law.
Prior law provided 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. Provided that if the board fails to fill the vacancy within the next 60 days
then the mayor shall appoint such member. Provided that any member appointed by the
board or mayor may be replaced by the appointing authority at any time by the nominee of
the appointing authority. New law retains prior law.
Prior law provided for an automatic removal of any member who has unexcused absences
of 50% or more of the meetings. Provided that such vacated position shall be filled by the nominating entity for the balance of the term. New law provides for removal for unexcused
absences of four consecutive meetings.
New law 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. The former member shall not
be eligible to be nominated to the board or to serve on the board again.
New 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 prior law.
New law requires the board to adopt rules and regulations to conduct its business and affairs,
so long as such rules and regulations do not violate the Code of Governmental Ethics, and
further requires the board to engage assistants and employees as needed to assist the board
in performing its duties.
Prior law provided that any member may be removed by his respective appointing authority
at any time with or without cause. New law changes prior law by providing that board
members may only be removed by a majority vote of the board with cause.
New law provides that the term of office of any board member appointed by a congressman,
legislator, or councilperson beyond the end of the term of office of the appointing authority.
Provides that members may be reappointed in accordance with new law.
Prior law provided 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.
New law adds that nothing contained in prior law as amended by new law shall be construed
to supercede the Code of Governmental Ethics.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 13, 2013).
(Amends R.S. 33:4702(B)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7))