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)]
Brown HB No. 577
Abstract: Relative to Waterworks District No. 3 of Rapides Parish, authorizes the district to
acquire a privately owned water system located in Grant Parish for the purpose of
supplying water services to the residents of the parishes of Grant and Rapides.
Present law authorizes parishes to create waterworks districts to oversee the installation,
operation, and maintenance of waterworks systems. Provides that each waterworks district is
governed by a board of five commissioners, with certain exceptions.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for the powers and duties of the waterworks districts, including the
authority to expropriate property for any purpose that it may find necessary in the operation of its
waterworks system, and the authority to acquire by donation or purchase any existing waterworks
system in the district. Authorizes the districts to acquire all machinery necessary for the purpose
of affecting the object for which it is formed. Authorizes the districts to cooperate with other
districts within their respective parishes and with private individuals, associations, corporations,
or municipalities.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law relative to waterworks districts that own property in an adjoining parish, authorizes
the districts to expropriate property within their respective districts and to acquire by donation,
purchase, exchange, lease, or otherwise, any property or facilities located at any location which
affects the object for which the district was formed. Provides that the provisions of present law
shall not be construed so as to restrict a waterworks district in one parish from supplying water
services to other waterworks districts or fire districts in an adjoining parish, when permission has
been granted by the governing authority of the adjoining parish pursuant to a resolution or
franchise agreement. Provides exceptions.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally authorizes the Waterworks District No. 3 of
Rapides Parish to acquire, by donation, one privately owned water system located in the Grant
Parish for the purpose of supplying water services to the residents of the parishes of Grant and
Rapides. Authorizes the district to acquire all property or facilities owned by the system and to
acquire all machinery deemed necessary by the district to maintain and operate the system.
Provides that all properties and facilities acquired are considered publicly owned by the district. Proposed law requires the approval of the governing authority of Grant Parish prior to the district
supplying water services from the system acquired pursuant to proposed law to the residents of
Grant Parish or expanding the acquired water district. Requires the district to supply water
services pursuant to the terms and conditions of an agreement between the district and Grant
Parish.
Proposed law provides that proposed law shall not be construed as to void the provisions of any
franchise agreement between the parishes of Grant and Rapides in effect prior to proposed law
and authorizes the district to continue to supply water services to the residents of both parishes
pursuant to any franchise agreement in effect prior to proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 33:3815.5)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Added a provision that prohibits the district from expanding the acquired water
district without approval of the governing authority of Grant Parish.