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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 1001
BY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY BISHOP
PROPERTY/ABANDONED: Authorizes the city of New Orleans to sell blighted property
in the Lower Ninth Ward for a fixed price
AN ACT1
To enact Chapter 13-A of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be2
comprised of R.S. 33:4720.11, relative to the city of New Orleans; to require the city3
to sell certain property in the Lower Ninth Ward for a specified price under certain4
circumstances; to provide for conditions and limitations; to require rules and5
regulations; to provide for the duration of the requirement; and to provide for related6
matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Lower Ninth Ward Redevelopment Act".9
Section 2. Chapter 13-A of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,10
comprised of R.S. 33:4720.11, is hereby enacted to read as follows: 11
CHAPTER 13-A. SALE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY12
ยง4720.11. Sale of property in the Lower Ninth Ward13
A.(1) Pursuant to Article VII, Section 14(B)(13) of the Constitution of14
Louisiana, the city of New Orleans shall sell vacant lots that are located in the Lower15
Ninth Ward and that were acquired prior to January 1, 2015, through the Louisiana16
Road Home program and that are either owned by the New Orleans Redevelopment17
Authority or the authority has been tasked with management and disposition of the18
property for one hundred dollars per abandoned parcel. For purposes of this Section,19
the Lower Ninth Ward is that area of Orleans Parish bounded by Jourdan Avenue,20 HLS 14RS-1406 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1001
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Florida Avenue, the Orleans Parish-St. Bernard Parish line, and the Mississippi1
River.2
(2) Property shall be sold pursuant to this Section only to a purchaser who3
meets either of the following criteria:4
(a) He is qualified under the Lot Next Door program or any similar program5
which authorizes the sale of property to adjacent property owners and agrees to6
retain and maintain the property for not less than five years.7
(b) He agrees to build a residence on the property and to reside at that8
residence for not less than five years.9
(3) Property shall not be sold pursuant to this Section to a developer or a10
corporate entity.11
(4) The governing authority of the city of New Orleans, in consultation with12
the state representative from House District No. 99 and the state senator from Senate13
District No. 2, shall establish rules and regulations necessary to implement the14
provisions of this Section.15
B. The provisions of this Section cease to be effective ten years after the16
effective date of this Section.17
Section 3. This Act shall take effect and become operative if and when the Act18
which originated as House Bill No. 489 of this 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature is19
enacted and becomes effective.20
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)]
Wesley Bishop HB No. 1001
Abstract: Requires the city of New Orleans to sell certain Road Home program property
in the Lower Ninth Ward for $100 per parcel.
Proposed law requires the city of New Orleans to sell, for $100 per parcel, vacant lots that
are located in the Lower Ninth Ward, were acquired through the La. Road Home program,
and are either owned by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority or the authority has
been tasked with management and disposition of the property. Provides that such sales shall
only be to a purchaser who is qualified under the Lot Next Door program or any similar
program that authorizes the sale of property to adjacent property owners and who agrees to HLS 14RS-1406 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 1001
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retain and maintain the property for five years or who agrees to build a residence on the
property and to reside at that residence for five years. Prohibits sale to a developer or
corporate entity. Requires the governing authority of the city of New Orleans, in
consultation with the state representative from district 99 and the state senator from district
two, to establish necessary rules and regulations.
Proposed law is only effective upon the passage and enactment of HB. No. 489 of the 2014
R.S. and ceases to be effective in 10 years.
(Adds R.S. 33:4720.11)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the original bill.
1. Requires rather than authorizes the sale of property.
2. Specifies qualified purchasers of property pursuant to proposed law.
3. Changes property to which proposed law is applicable from abandoned
property to former Road Home program property; in conformity therewith,
removes definition of "abandoned property".
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Adds specification of the area comprising the Lower Ninth Ward.
2. Adds requirement that property to be sold pursuant to proposed law was
acquired prior to Jan. 1. 2015.
3. Adds requirements that purchasers retain or reside at the property for at least
five years.
4. Adds prohibition of selling property to a developer or corporation.
5. Adds requirement for consultation with specified legislators in the adoption
of program rules.