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Prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
Brown HB No. 577
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
DISTRICTS/WATERWORKS. Authorizes Waterworks District No. 3 of Rapides
Parish to acquire a privately owned water system located in Grant Parish
DIGEST
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 prohibits the district from acquiring any water system pursuant to proposed law
until the governing authorities of the district and Grant parish enter into an agreement that
provides for the operations and maintenance of the system, including any expansion of the
system's water lines, and requires the district to provide water services to the residents of
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 between the district and the parishes
of Grant and Rapides in effect prior to proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 33:3815.5) Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs
to the reengrossed bill
1. Removes provision that would have prohibited the district from supplying water
services to residents of Grant parish from certain water systems until the
governing authority of Grant parish adopts a resolution authorizing the district to
supply such services.
2. Adds provision prohibiting the district from acquiring any water system pursuant
to proposed law until the governing authority of the district and of Grant parish
enter into an agreement that provides for the operation and maintenance of the
system and requires the district to provide water services to the residents of Grant
parish.