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)]
Abramson HB No. 684
Abstract: Provides that certain requirements for notice of meetings of a political subdivision
and for recording or broadcast of board or commission meetings shall not apply to crime
prevention and security districts, improvement districts, and certain other similar districts.
Present law (R.S. 42:19.1) requires public notice of a meeting at which a political subdivision
intends to levy, increase, renew, or continue any ad valorem property tax or sales and use tax or
authorize the calling of an election for submitting such a question to the voters.
Present law (R.S. 42:23(A)) requires a nonelected board or commission that has the authority to
levy a tax to video or audio record, film, or broadcast live all proceedings in a public meeting.
Present law (Chapter 29 of Title 33 of the La. Revised Statutes of 1950 "Neighborhood
Improvement Districts") creates or authorizes creation of various districts in particular
neighborhoods or subdivisions. Part I concerns districts in Jefferson Parish with purposes related
to security as well as other improvements. The parish governing authority is the district
governing authority. These districts have authority to levy specified taxes and/or parcel fees and
these are levied by the governing authority of the district (which is the parish governing
authority). Part II concerns Orleans Parish. It provides for improvement districts for which
parcel fees and in some cases ad valorem taxes are levied by the city council of New Orleans. It
also provides for development districts which do not have authority for a tax or fee. Part II also
provides for crime prevention and security districts in Orleans Parish, which generally are funded
by parcel fees levied by the New Orleans City Council. Part III concerns East Baton Rouge
Parish. Most of these districts are funded by a parcel fee levied by the governing authority of the
parish, but at least one of the districts levies its own parcel fee directly.
Proposed law provides that present law relative to notice of meetings and recording or broadcast
of meetings shall not apply to meetings of the governing authority of any crime prevention and
security district, improvement district, or other district created by or pursuant to Chapter 29 of
Title 33 of the La. Revised Statutes of 1950 for which a tax or parcel fee is levied by the
governing authority of a parish or municipality and not by the governing authority of the district.
(Adds R.S. 33:9099.2)