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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 550
BY SENATOR BROWN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Creates the Southeast Louisiana Authority for Growth and
Opportunity. (8/1/14)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 36:109(X) and Chapter 44 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of2
1950, to be comprised of R.S. 51:2701 and 2702, relative to the Southeast Louisiana3
Authority for Growth and Opportunity; to provide for membership; to provide for4
certain powers, duties, and functions; to provide for officers; to provide for meeting5
dates; and to provide for terms, conditions, and requirements; and to provide for6
related matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 36:109(X) and Chapter 44 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised9
Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 51:2701 and 2702 are hereby enacted to read as follows:10
§109. Transfer of boards, commissions, departments, and agencies to Department of11
Economic Development12
* * *13
X. The Southeast Louisiana Authority for Growth and Opportunity14
(R.S. 51:2701 et seq.) is placed within the Department of Economic15
Development and shall exercise and perform its functions, duties, and16
responsibilities as provided by law.17 SB NO. 550
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* * *1
CHAPTER 44. SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AUTHORITY2
FOR GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY3
§2701. Southeast Louisiana Authority for Growth and Opportunity; creation;4
membership; terms; officers; meetings5
A. There is hereby created, within the Department of Economic6
Development, the Southeast Louisiana Authority for Growth and Opportunity,7
hereinafter referred to as "authority". The authority shall exercise the powers8
and duties as specified herein to promote, stimulate, develop, and enhance9
business prosperity and economic welfare of the region, which shall be10
composed of the parishes of Ascension, Iberville, St. Charles, St. James, and St.11
John the Baptist.12
B. The members of the authority shall represent the diversity of the13
population of the region and shall be appointed as follows:14
(1) From Ascension Parish, two members appointed by the Ascension15
Parish Council.16
(2) From Iberville Parish, two members appointed by the Iberville17
Parish Council.18
(3) From St. Charles Parish, two members appointed by the St. Charles19
Parish Council.20
(4) From St. James Parish, two members appointed by the St. James21
Parish Council.22
(5) From St. John the Baptist, two members appointed by the St. John23
the Baptist Parish Council.24
C. Members shall be confirmed by the Senate.25
D. Members shall serve four-year terms, concurrent with that of the26
governor.27
E. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of original appointment and28
each member shall serve until his successor is appointed and takes office.29 SB NO. 550
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F. The domicile of the authority shall be Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but1
public meetings may be held elsewhere in the state.2
G.(1) The board shall hold its first meeting no later than August 15,3
2014. At this meeting the members shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and4
other officers as deemed appropriate. The chairman and vice chairman shall5
be representatives from two different parishes. No per diem shall be paid to any6
member for attendance at authority meetings.7
(2)(a) The authority shall be subject to open meetings and public records8
laws.9
(b) Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman or at the call of a10
quorum of members upon not less than seven days advance written notice. A11
quorum shall be necessary to transact business.12
H.(1) The chairman of the authority may appoint committees to fulfill13
the purposes of the authority.14
(2) The chairman shall appoint a committee chairman and shall15
designate the functions and responsibilities of each committee appointed. The16
chairman may appoint on an ad hoc basis committee members who are not17
members of the authority, who shall serve without per diem or other18
compensation.19
§2702. General powers of the authority20
A. The authority shall have all the rights, powers, and duties to give21
effect to and carry out the purposes and provisions of this Chapter, including22
the power:23
(1) To sue or be sued.24
(2) Adopt bylaws and establish policies to govern the operations of the25
authority.26
(3) To make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary27
or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions under this Chapter28
with any federal or state governmental agency, local political subdivision, public29 SB NO. 550
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or private corporation, lending institution, or other entity or person, including1
but not limited to loan contracts for the acquisition, sale or lease, or sale-back2
or lease-back of property, issuance and security of bonds, payment of3
premiums, fees, or charges, and the purchase or guarantee of bonds, notes,4
loans, or other debt obligations of political subdivisions of the state. The5
issuance and security of bonds shall follow the same procedures set forth in R.S.6
33:4548.1 et seq.7
(4) To contract with professionals and to pay such professionals for8
services rendered.9
(5) To receive and accept from any agency of the United States or the10
state or any public entity or from any individual, association, or public or11
private corporation, gifts, grants, or donations of monies, the proceeds of bonds12
or other property, labor, or other things of value.13
(6) To plan, develop, coordinate, operate, and maintain activities and14
planned land use to foster the creation of new jobs, economic development,15
industry, healthcare, general public and social welfare, commerce, tourism,16
relocation of individuals and businesses to the region, transportation,17
recreation, housing development, and conservation in the region.18
(7) To borrow money and issue negotiable bonds, or other obligations on19
behalf of or for the benefit of or for any participating political subdivision, in20
the principal amounts and for the purposes authorized by law, and to provide21
for the rights of the owners of such bonds, notes, or other obligations, and to22
provide other financing assistance to participating political subdivisions.23
(8) In connection with the issuance of bonds or obligations of the24
authority, to make and collect such rents and charges including but not limited25
to reimbursement of all costs of financing by the authority as the authority shall26
determine to be reasonable and required.27
(9) To execute loan agreements, reimbursement agreements, investment28
agreements, bond purchase agreements, and all documents as may be necessary29 SB NO. 550
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to carry out and comply with the provisions of this Chapter, and to take any1
and all actions and execute and deliver all other documents as it may deem2
necessary in connection with the issuance of any bonds, notes, certificates,3
reimbursement obligations, or other evidences of indebtedness referred to in4
this Chapter.5
(10) To accept, administer, and expend donations of movable or6
immovable property from any source, and receive, administer, and expend7
appropriation from the legislature and financial assistance, guarantees,8
insurance, or subsidies from the federal or state government.9
(11) To procure or provide for the procurement of insurance or10
reinsurance against any loss in connection with its property or operations,11
including but not limited to insurance, reinsurance or other guarantees from12
any federal or state governmental agency or private insurance company for the13
payment of any bonds issued by the authority, or bonds, notes, or any other14
obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued by the state or any political15
subdivision or by any lending institution or other entity or person, or insurance16
or reinsurance against loss with respect to loans to political subdivisions,17
including the power to pay premiums on such insurance or reinsurance.18
(12) To finance, develop, manage, and operate utility projects in the19
region.20
(13) To construct, operate, maintain facilities, improvements, and21
infrastructure, including buildings, roads, bridges, drainage and utilities, and22
to perform other functions and activities on property owned or leased by the23
authority.24
(14) In coordination with public or private entities as provided by law,25
provide resources for the development of levees and other improvements to26
prevent flooding and other issues arising from natural disasters.27
(15) To develop, activate, construct, exchange, acquire, improve, repair,28
operate, maintain, lease, mortgage, sell, and grant a security device affecting the29 SB NO. 550
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movable and immovable property, servitudes, facilities, and works within the1
region.2
(16) To borrow money and to pledge or grant a security device affecting3
all or part of its revenues, leases, rents, and other advantages as security for4
such loans.5
(17) To enter into contracts, agreements, or cooperative endeavors with6
the state and its political subdivisions or political corporations and with any7
public or private association, corporation, business entity, or individual.8
(18) To finance, develop, manage, and operate rural and occupational9
health clinics.10
(19) To undertake and complete development projects and related11
activities.12
B. On or before March first of each year, the authority shall submit a13
written report detailing the activities of the authority to the House Committee14
on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection15
and International Affairs.16
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. SB NO. 550
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(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 SB NO. 550
SLS 14RS-855 ORIGINAL
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words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
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. SB NO. 550
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(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)