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)]
CONFERENCE COMMI TTEE REPORT DIGEST
House Bill No. 793 by Representative St. Germain
Keyword and oneliner of the instrument as it left the House
WATER/RESOURCES: Provides for the membership of the Capital Area Groundwater
Commission
Report adopts Senate amendments to:
1. Make technical changes.
Report rejects Senate amendments which would have:
1. Added a member from Louisiana State University's School of Renewable Natural
Resources.
Digest of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
Present law provides that the board of commissioners of the Capital Area Groundwater
Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
as follows:
(1)5 members, one appointed from each of the 5 parishes in the district as nominated by the
parish governing authorities. The 5 parishes in the district are East Baton Rouge, East
Feliciana, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rogue, and West Feliciana.
(2)3 members appointed from nominations by industrial users in the district.
(3)3 members appointed from nominations by privately or publicly owned entities furnishing
water for rural or municipal use within the district, with 1 of the 3 always being appointed
from nominations by privately owned users furnishing a municipal water supply.
(4)The assistant secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources or his designee who shall be a
member of his staff. (5)1 member appointed from nominations by the La. Farm Bureau Federation and the La.
Cattlemen's Association.
(6)The executive secretary of the La. Stream Control Commission or a member of his staff.
(7)1 member appointed from nomination by the members of the board.
Proposed law retains present law except changes the executive secretary of the La. Stream
Control Commission to the secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Quality or his designee,
designates the commissioner of conservation as the assistant secretary from the Dept. of Natural
Resources.
Proposed law adds the director of the Dept. of Public Works of the city of Baton Rouge and
parish of East Baton Rouge, or his designee, to the membership for a total of 16 members.
Present law provides for a time line for the appointment of the initial members after the effective
date of present law. Proposed law removes time lines for the initial appointment.
Present law provides for staggered terms of the initial members. Proposed law retains present
law and provides that after the initial term all terms shall be three years, except that the terms for
members representing governmental entities whose term shall be contemporaneous with their
office.
Present law provides that no member may serve more than two consecutive terms, except the
members representing the Dept. of Public Works and the La. Stream Control Commission.
Proposed law retains the two-term limit except for members representing governmental entities.
Present law provides terms begin for the initial appointees on the date of implementation of the
district and that subsequent terms begin on the anniversary date of the date of implementation.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for a procedure to replace members by notifying the nominating entities 60
days prior to the expiration of a term.
Proposed law repeals present law and provides that vacancies shall be filled by appointment by
the governor in the manner in which that member was appointed in proposed law.
Present law requires that in any provision of law applicable to a groundwater conservation
district located in a parish with population in excess of 400,000, according to the most recent
federal decennial census, the term "director of the Dept. of Public Works" means the director of
the municipal Dept. of Public Works for the municipality located in the district with the greatest
population.
Proposed law repeals present law and defines the Dept. of Public Works as the Dept. of Public
Works of the city of Baton Rouge and parish of East Baton Rouge. (Amends R.S. 38:3074(A), (B)(3), (4), and (5), (C), and (D)(intro. para.); Adds R.S.
38:3073(14); Repeals R.S. 38:3074(D)(1)-(9) and Act No. 177 of the 2013 R.S.)