The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle Ducharme.
DIGEST
Brown (SB 550)
Present law provides for the transfer of boards, commissions, departments, and agencies to the
Department of Economic Development (department).
Proposed law retains present law and places the Southeast Louisiana Authority for Growth and
Opportunity (authority) within the department.
Proposed law provides that the authority shall exercise its powers and duties to promote,
stimulate, develop, and enhance business prosperity and economic welfare of the region, which
shall be composed of the parishes of Ascension, Iberville, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the
Baptist.
Proposed law provides that the members of the authority shall represent the diversity of the
population of the region and shall be appointed as follows:
(1)From Ascension Parish, two members appointed by the Ascension Parish Council.
(2)From Iberville Parish, two members appointed by the Iberville Parish Council.
(3)From St. Charles Parish, two members appointed by the St. Charles Parish Council.
(4)From St. James Parish, two members appointed by the St. James Parish Council.
(5)From St. John the Baptist, two members appointed by the St. John the Baptist Parish
Council.
Proposed law provides that members shall be confirmed by the Senate and serve a four-year
term, concurrent with that of the governor.
Proposed law provides that vacancies shall be filled in the manner of original appointment and
each member shall serve until his successor is appointed and takes office.
Proposed law provides that the domicile of the authority shall be Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but
public meetings may be held elsewhere in the state.
Proposed law provides that the board shall hold its first meeting no later than August 15, 2014.
At this meeting the members shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and other officers as deemed
appropriate. The chairman and vice chairman shall be representatives from two different
parishes. No per diem shall be paid to any member for attendance at authority meetings. Proposed law provides that meetings of the authority shall be subject to open meetings and public
records law.
Proposed law provides that meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman or at the call of a
quorum of members upon not less than seven days advance written notice. A quorum shall be
necessary to transact business.
Proposed law provides that the chairman of the authority may appoint committees to fulfill the
purposes of the authority. The chairman shall appoint a committee chairman and shall designate
the functions and responsibilities of each committee appointed. The chairman may appoint on an
ad hoc basis committee members who are not members of the authority, who shall serve without
per diem or other compensation.
Proposed law provides that the authority shall have all the rights, powers, and duties to give
effect to and carry out the purposes and provisions of proposed law, including the power:
(1)To sue or be sued.
(2)Adopt bylaws and establish policies to govern the operations of the authority.
(3)To make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the
exercise of its powers and functions with any federal or state governmental agency, local
political subdivision, public or private corporation, lending institution, or other entity or
person, including but not limited to loan contracts for the acquisition, sale or lease, or
sale-back or lease-back of property, issuance and security of bonds, payment of
premiums, fees, or charges, and the purchase or guarantee of bonds, notes, loans, or other
debt obligations of political subdivisions of the state.
(4)To contract with professionals and to pay such professionals for services rendered.
(5)To receive and accept from any agency of the United States or the state or any public
entity or from any individual, association, or public or private corporation, gifts, grants, or
donations of monies, the proceeds of bonds or other property, labor, or other things of
value.
(6)To plan, develop, coordinate, operate, and maintain activities and planned land use to
foster creation of new jobs, economic development, industry, healthcare, general public
and social welfare, commerce, tourism, relocation of individuals and businesses to the
region, transportation, recreation, housing development, and conservation in the region.
(7)To borrow money and issue negotiable bonds, or other obligations on behalf of or for the
benefit of or for any participating political subdivision, in the principal amounts and for
the purposes authorized by law, and to provide for the rights of the owners of such bonds,
notes, or other obligations, and to provide other financing assistance to participating political subdivisions.
(8)In connection with the issuance of bonds or obligations of the authority, to make and
collect such rents and charges including but not limited to reimbursement of all costs of
financing by the authority as the authority shall determine to be reasonable and required.
(9) To execute loan agreements, reimbursement agreements, investment agreements, bond
purchase agreements, and all documents as may be necessary to carry out and comply
with the provisions of proposed law, and to take any and all actions and execute and
deliver all other documents as it may deem necessary in connection with the issuance of
any bonds, notes, certificates, reimbursement obligations, or other evidences of
indebtedness referred to in proposed law.
(10)To accept, administer, and expend donations of movable or immovable property from any
source, and receive, administer, and expend appropriation from the legislature and
financial assistance, guarantees, insurance, or subsidies from the federal or state
government.
(11)To procure or provide for the procurement of insurance or reinsurance against any loss in
connection with its property or operations, including but not limited to insurance,
reinsurance or other guarantees from any federal or state governmental agency or private
insurance company for the payment of any bonds issued by the authority, or bonds, notes,
or any other obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued by the state or any political
subdivision or by any lending institution or other entity or person, or insurance or
reinsurance against loss with respect to loans to political subdivisions, including the
power to pay premiums on such insurance or reinsurance.
(12)To finance, develop, manage, and operate utility projects in the region.
(13)To construct, operate, maintain facilities, improvements, and infrastructure, including
buildings, roads, bridges, drainage and utilities, and to perform other functions and
activities on property owned or leased by the authority.
(14)In coordination with public or private entities as provided by law, provide resources for
the development of levees and other improvements to prevent flooding and other issues
arising from natural disasters.
(15)To develop, activate, construct, exchange, acquire, improve, repair, operate, maintain,
lease, mortgage, sell, and grant a security device affecting the movable and immovable
property, servitudes, facilities, and works within the region.
(16)To borrow money and to pledge or grant a security device affecting all or part of its
revenues, leases, rents, and other advantages as security for such loans.
(17)To enter into contracts, agreements, or cooperative endeavors with the state and its political subdivisions or political corporations and with any public or private association,
corporation, business entity, or individual.
(18)To finance, develop, manage, and operate rural and occupational health clinics.
(19)To undertake and complete development projects and related activities.
Proposed law requires that on or before March first of each year, the authority shall submit a
written report detailing the activities of the authority to the House Committee on Commerce and
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Adds R.S. 36:109(X) and R.S. 51:2701 and 2702)