The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cathy R. Wells.
DIGEST
Present law provides that the public water, sewerage, and drainage systems of the city of New
Orleans shall be constructed, controlled, maintained, and operated by the Sewerage and Water
Board of the city of New Orleans.
Present law provides that the board is composed of the mayor, three members of the city council,
one of whom is required to be an at-large member of the council, two members of the board of
liquidation, city debt, and seven citizens, appointed by the mayor, two at large and one from each
of the five council districts.
Proposed law provides that the board is composed of the mayor, two members of the board of
liquidation, city debt, and six citizens, appointed by the mayor from three names submitted by the
president of each of the following: Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Loyola
University, Southern University at New Orleans, Dillard University, and Xavier University.
Requires each nominee to have experience in either architecture, environmental quality, finance,
accounting, business administration, engineering, law, public health, urban planning, facilities
management, public administration, or community or consumer advocacy.
Present law provides that terms of board members are nine years.
Proposed law reduces terms of board members to four years and prohibits a member from
serving more than two consecutive terms of office. In the event any appointed member is elected
to any office or removes his residence from Orleans Parish, his membership on the board is ipso
facto vacated, and his successor shall be immediately appointed.
Present law provides that a quorum of the board is seven members and requires a vote of nine
board members to change rules adopted by the board.
Proposed law provides that a quorum of the board is five members and requires a quorum vote to
adopt or change rules.
Present law provides for councilmanic board membership when redistricting occurs.
Proposed law repeals such provisions.
Proposed law provides that the terms of the members of the board for the city of New Orleans in
office on the effective date of proposed law terminate on its effective date. The members of the
board for the city of New Orleans shall be appointed and shall take office as provided in
proposed law and shall serve terms of office as provided in proposed law. Provides that
proposed law shall not be construed to prevent the reappointment to the board of a member in office on the effective date of proposed law.
Effective on the first day of Jan. following an election where a majority of the voters of the city
of New Orleans approve an amendment to the home rule charter of the city to change the
composition of the board to provide the identical composition of the board as contained in
proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 33:4071(A)(1) and (2), (B), (C)(1), and (E) and 4074; repeals R.S. 33:4071(C)(3))