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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 195
BY REPRESENTATIVE THIBAUT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study and make changes to
the provisions of the state Sanitary Code which provide for minimum lot size
restrictions, including but not limited to those provisions relative to sewerage
systems, to address the negative impact of those provisions on economic
development within the state of Louisiana, with a specific focus on the prohibitive
effect of the provisions on the development of land surrounding False River in Pointe
Coupee Parish.
WHEREAS, R.S. 40:4 requires the state health officer, acting through the office of
public health of the Department of Health and Hospitals, to prepare, promulgate, and enforce
rules and regulations embodied within the state Sanitary Code in conformity with a set of
guidelines and directives set forth in the statute; and
WHEREAS, the public policy of Louisiana is to maintain reasonable standards of
construction in the state in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of its
citizens; and
WHEREAS, numerous public and private interests are affected by the promulgation
of construction standards, including minimum lot size restrictions relative to sewerage
systems; and
WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes that construction standards and restrictions
must balance the needs of affordability of construction and the protection of the public health
and welfare; and
WHEREAS, there are provisions within the state Sanitary Code which provide for
minimum lot sizes when land is subdivided; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 195
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WHEREAS, provisions for minimum lot sizes can have a significant impact on the
feasibility and desirability of the purchasing or subdividing of a parcel of land with the intent
to construct a residential dwelling or commercial building; and
WHEREAS, ease of construction plays a pivotal role in the economic growth and
development of this state; and
WHEREAS, especially during an economic downturn, it is incumbent upon the
leadership of this state to assist its citizens by ensuring that the laws, rules, and regulations
of this state meet the goal of providing a reasonable degree of public health, safety,
affordability, and welfare.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study and make changes to the
provisions of the state Sanitary Code which provide for minimum lot size restrictions,
including but not limited to those provisions relative to sewerage systems, to address the
negative impact of those provisions on economic development within the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall include in its study a
specific and focused review of the prohibitive effect of the minimum lot size provisions on
the development of land surrounding False River in Pointe Coupee Parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall submit a written report of
its findings and conclusions, including any recommendations for legislation relative to the
issue, and any Sanitary Code changes proposed by the department to the House Committee
on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare not later than sixty
days prior to the beginning of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE