The original instrument was prepared by Cathy R. Wells. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
Michael Bell.
DIGEST
Morrell (SB 47)
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 11 members, who shall reflect the racial
and gender diversity of the population of the city of New Orleans to the extent practicable.
Proposed law provides for the mayor to appoint six members from a list of nominees submitted
by the Sewerage and Water Board Selection Committee. The mayor's appointments shall include
one citizen from each of the five councilmanic districts within the city of New Orleans.
Proposed law provides for one citizen to be appointed by each council at-large member from a
list of nominees submitted by the Sewerage and Water Board Selection Committee.
Proposed law creates the Sewerage and Water Board Selection Committee and provides a
process for selecting a nomination pool of applicants.
Proposed law 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, science, construction, business
management, community or consumer advocacy or other pertinent discipline.
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. Also provides that 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 members of the board for the city of New Orleans in office on the
effective date of proposed law shall serve until their successors are appointed. 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), (B), (C)(1), and (E) and 4074; repeals R.S. 33:4071(C)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs
to the original bill
1. Adds requirement that board members from the board of liquidation be syndicate
members.
2. Adds provisions creating Sewerage and Water Board Selection Committee and
provisions relative to nomination process.
3. Adds requirement that the mayor appoint at least one member from each
councilmanic district.
4. Adds an appointment to the board by each council at-large member.
5. Adds experience in science, construction, business management or other pertinent
discipline to proposed law list that meets the qualifications for board members.
6. Adds staggered initial terms.
7. Adds requirement that appointments to board reflect racial and gender diversity of
city.