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)]
Geymann HB No. 580
Abstract: Relative to waterworks districts located within the parishes of Beauregard and
Calcasieu, limits the powers granted to the governing authorities of such districts.
Present law generally 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 they are formed. Authorizes the districts to cooperate with other
districts within their respective parishes and with private individuals, associations, corporations,
or municipalities. Present law additionally authorizes waterworks districts that own property in
an adjoining parish to expropriate property within their respective districts, to acquire by
donation, purchase, exchange, lease, or otherwise, any property or facilities located at any
location which affects the object for which the districts were formed, and to supply water
services to other waterworks districts or fire districts in an adjoining parish, with certain
exceptions.
Proposed law retains present law but provides limits on the powers granted to the governing
authorities of waterworks districts located in Beauregard Parish or Calcasieu Parish. Prohibits
any regulation adopted by such governing authorities from requiring a person who owns a
residential dwelling to install a backflow preventer or a second water meter if there are only two
or fewer residential dwellings located on the property.
Proposed law additionally prohibits the governing authorities from requiring a person who owns
an inhabited dwelling to connect the dwelling to a water system owned by a waterworks district.
Further prohibits the governing authorities from prohibiting the property owner from supplying
water to his property from a well located on his property. Provides that the use of well water is
subject to federal and state law.
(Adds R.S. 33:3815.5)