Louisiana 2014 2014 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB950 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    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)]
Alfred Williams	HB No. 950
Abstract: Provides relative to the boundaries and parcel fee of the Goodwood Homesites Crime
Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Present law creates the Goodwood Homesites Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement
District in East Baton Rouge Parish as a political subdivision of the state in order to aid in crime
prevention and to add to the security of district residents by providing for an increase in the
presence of law enforcement personnel in the district. Provides for district boundaries and
powers and duties.
Proposed law revises the boundaries of the district.
Present law authorizes the governing authority of the city of Baton Rouge, parish of East Baton
Rouge, subject to voter approval, to impose and collect a parcel fee within the district which
amount shall be as requested by duly adopted board resolution. Provides that the amount of the
fee shall not be more than $150 per parcel per year on residential properties and $450 per parcel
per year on commercial properties; provides however, that the fee shall not exceed $70 per parcel
per year if any of the owners of the parcel is a person 70 years of age or older.
Proposed law provides that the maximum amount that may be levied on parcels within the
district is $200 per year for residential parcels, $500 per year for commercial parcels, or $90 per
year for parcel owners who meet the following criteria as provided in Art. VII, ยง18(G)(1) of the
Constitution of La.:
(1)People who are 65 years of age or older.
(2)People who have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more by the U.S. Dept.
of Veterans Affairs.
(3)Members of the armed forces of the U.S. or the La. National Guard who owned and last
occupied such property who are killed in action, or who are missing in action or are a
prisoner of war for a period exceeding 90 days.
(4)Any person or persons permanently totally disabled as determined by a final non-
appealable judgment of a court or as certified by a state or federal administrative agency
charged with the responsibility for making determinations regarding disability. Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law requires that the fee be imposed on each improved parcel located within the district.
Defines "parcel" as a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, an individual tract, or a condominium
parcel as defined in present law.
Proposed law defines improved parcel as a lot upon which a residence, commercial building, or
other structure is situated.
(Amends R.S. 33:9097.20(B) and (F)(1) and (2); Repeals R.S. 33:9097.20(F)(3))