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)]
Champagne HB No. 881
Abstract: Provides relative to receipt and use by parish governing authorities of RESTORE Act
funds.
Present Federal Law, the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and
Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (the RESTORE Act), provides for the
allocation of civil penalties under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, in connection with
the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Provides for allocation and distribution of some of those funds
directly to coastal counties and parishes.
Proposed law provides the following requirements regarding the receipt and use by parishes of
RESTORE Act funds:
(1)The governing authority shall publish a quarterly report indicating the amount of
RESTORE funds received during the previous quarter and to date, and indicating how
RESTORE funds have been spent or obligated. Requires availability of the report on the
parish's website or at the request of a parish resident and submission of a copy to the La
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
(2)Prior to an expenditure on a project, the governing authority shall hold a public meeting
to receive public comment and suggestions on the project. Requires that such projects be
in compliance with the master plan for integrated coastal protection, which is provided
for in present law.
(3)Prohibits commingling of RESTORE funds with other parish funds. Requires that
authorizations of expenditure of such funds be itemized in the parish budget.
(4)Requires additional public notice of any meeting at which the expenditure, investment, or
obligation of RESTORE funds will be discussed; requires publication of such notice not
more than 60 and not less than 30 days prior to such meeting and announcing of the
meeting during the course of a meeting of the parish governing authority no more than 60
days and not less than 30 days before such meeting.
(Adds R.S. 33:1236.30)