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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 648
BY SENATORS DORSEY-COLOMB, AMEDEE, BROOME, BROWN, GALLOT,
GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, MILLS, NEVERS
AND WARD AND REPRESENTATIVES BARRAS, BARROW,
CARTER, COX, FOIL, GREENE, HONORE, JAMES, LEGER, PONTI,
SCHEXNAYDER, SMITH, ALFRED WILLIAMS AND PATRICK
WILLIAMS
SPECIAL DISTRICTS. Creates and provides for the Old LNB Building Redevelopment
District in East Baton Rouge Parish. (gov sig)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 33:9038.67, relative to cooperative and economic development in East Baton2
Rouge Parish; to create the Old LNB Building Redevelopment District as a special3
taxing and tax increment financing district in East Baton Rouge Parish; to provide4
for the boundaries of the district; to provide for the governance of the district; to5
provide for the authority, powers, duties, and functions of the governing body; to6
provide for the levy and collection of taxes within the district; to authorize the7
district to issue and sell bonds; to authorize the district to engage in tax increment8
financing; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.9
Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published.10
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:11
Section 1. R.S. 33:9038.67 is hereby enacted to read as follows:12
A. Creation. There is hereby created in the city of Baton Rouge, parish13
of East Baton Rouge, hereinafter referred to as the "city-parish", the Old LNB14
Building Redevelopment District, a special taxing district, body politic and15
corporate of the state, referred to in this Section as the "district". The district16
shall be a political subdivision of the state and the district is hereby granted all17 SB NO. 648
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of the rights, powers, privileges and immunities accorded by law and the1
Constitution of Louisiana to political subdivisions of the state, subject to the2
limitations provided in this Section.3
B. Boundaries. The district shall be comprised of the following described4
parcels or tracts of land located in the city-parish, referred to in this Section as5
the "property":6
PARCEL 1:7
A certain rectangular lot or parcel of ground, together with all buildings and8
improvements thereon, situated in that part of the City of Baton Rouge known9
as Gilbert Leonard Town, and designated on the plat thereof as Lot Number10
One (1) of Square Number Three (3), or One Hundred Thirteen (113),11
according to the official map of the City of Baton Rouge, said square being12
bounded on the North by Convention Street, on the East by Fourth Street13
(formerly Church Street), on the South by North Boulevard, and on the West14
by Third Street, said lot forming the northwest corner of said square and15
measuring Sixty-four (64) feet front on the East Side of Third Street by a depth16
of One Hundred Twenty-eight (128) feet along the South side of Convention17
Street;18
PARCEL 2:19
A certain fractional lot or parcel of ground, together with all buildings and20
improvements thereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes and21
appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, situated in that22
subdivision of the Gilbert Leonard Town, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana,23
and being the northern portion of Lot No. 2 of Square No. 3 of said subdivision,24
or Square No. 113 according to the official map of the said City of Baton Rouge25
(said square being bounded by Third, Convention and Fourth (formerly26
Church) Streets and North Boulevard), said fractional lot being shown on a plan27
of survey made by A.G. Mundinger, C.E, and Surveyor, dated April 24th, 1936,28
a blueprint of which plan is attached to an act of sale passed before B.E.29 SB NO. 648
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Durrett, Notary Public, on June 30, 1936, recorded in Special Mortgage Book1
21, Folio 357, of said Parish. The fractional lot or parcel of ground measures 422
feet 9 inches front on the east side of Third Street by a depth between parallel3
lines of 128 feet; being the same property described as follows:4
A parcel of land being comprised of Lot 1 and portion of Lot 2, Square Three5
(3) or One Hundred Thirteen (113), Gilbert Leonard Town, of the official map6
of the City of Baton Rouge, said parcel of land being shown on a plan of survey7
made by A.G. Mundinger, C.E., and Surveyor, dated April 24th, 1936, a8
blueprint of which plan is attached to an act of sale passed before B.E. Durrett,9
Notary Public on June 30, 1936, recorded in Special Mortgage Book 21, folio10
357, said map also recorded in Original 40, Bundle 1005 of the Office of Clerk11
and Recorder, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, containing 0.314 acres,12
lying within Section 48, Township 7 South, Range 1 West, Greensburg Land13
District of said parish, being more particularly described as follows:14
Begin at the northwest corner of Lot 1, Square Three (3) or One Hundred15
Thirteen (113) Gilbert Leonard Town, said point being the intersection of the16
southerly right of way line of Convention Street (69.33' R/W) and the easterly17
right of way line of Third Street (53.33' R/W), the Point of Beginning; thence go18
North 87 degrees 59 minutes 28 seconds East along the southerly right of way19
line of Convention Street a distance of 128.00 feet to the northeast corner of the20
aforesaid Lot 1; thence, departing the aforesaid southerly right of way line, go21
South 02 degrees 09 minutes 52 seconds East along the easterly line of the22
aforesaid Lot 1, and an extension thereof, a distance of 106.75 feet to the23
southeast corner of said parcel; thence go South 87 degrees 59 minutes 2824
seconds West along the southerly line, a distance of 128.00 feet to the southwest25
corner of the aforesaid parcel, said corner being coincident with the26
aforementioned easterly right of way line of Third Street (53.33' R/W); thence27
go North 02 degrees 09 minutes 52 seconds West along the aforesaid easterly28
right of way line a distance of 106.75 feet to the Point of Beginning;29 SB NO. 648
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the above described parcel of land lies within Square Three (3) or Square One1
Hundred Thirteen (113), Gilbert Leonard Town, of the official map of the City2
of Baton Rouge, Section 48, Township 7 South, Range 1 West, Greensburg Land3
District, City of Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and contains4
0.314 acres more or less; all as more fully shown on that survey prepared by5
Sam M. Holladay, III, PLS, dated February 20, 2014, entitled "ALTA/ACSM6
Land Title Survey of a Parcel of Land Inclusive of Lot 1, Square No. 3, or 1137
and a portion of Lot 2, Square No. 3, or 113, according to the Official Map of8
the City of Baton Rouge, lying in Section 48, Township 7 South, Range 1 West,9
Greensburg Land District, City of Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish,10
Louisiana for Commercial Properties Realty Trust."11
C. Purpose. The state hereby acknowledges that the redevelopment of12
the property within the district is an important element of the continued13
revitalization and economic development of the city-parish. The district is14
created to provide for cooperative economic development among the district,15
the city-parish, the state and the owners of property in the district, in order to16
assist in the redevelopment of, and dramatic improvement to, the property17
within the boundaries of the district.18
D. Governance. (1) In order to provide for the orderly development of19
the district and effectuation of the purposes of the district, the district shall be20
administered and governed by a board of commissioners, referred to in this21
Section as the "board", comprised of three persons as follows:22
(a) The mayor-president of the city-parish or his designee.23
(b) The mayor-president pro-tempore of the city-parish or his designee.24
(c) The council member for Metropolitan Council District No. 10 of the25
city-parish or his designee.26
(2) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for27
the transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all meetings and28
shall make them available for inspection through the board's secretary-29 SB NO. 648
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treasurer. The minute books and archives of the district shall be maintained by1
the board's secretary-treasurer. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district2
shall be in the official custody of the board.3
(3) The board shall adopt bylaws and prescribe rules to govern its4
meetings. The members of the board shall serve without salary or per diem and5
shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable, actual, and necessary6
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.7
(4) The domicile of the board shall be established by the board at a8
location within the district.9
(5) The board shall elect from its own members a president, vice10
president, and a secretary-treasurer, whose duties shall be common to such11
offices or as may be provided by bylaws adopted by the district. The board12
shall hold regular meetings and may hold special meetings as provided in the13
bylaws. The failure of the board to hold any regular meeting shall not impair14
any existing obligations of the district. All such meetings shall be public15
meetings subject to the provisions of R.S. 42:11, et seq.16
E. Rights and powers. The district, acting by and through its board, shall17
be a special taxing district and shall have and exercise all powers of a political18
subdivision and special taxing district necessary or convenient for the carrying19
out of its objects and purposes including but not limited to the following:20
(1) To sue and to be sued.21
(2) To adopt bylaws and rules and regulations.22
(3) To receive by gift, grant, donation, or otherwise any sum of money,23
property, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or24
any political subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation.25
(4) For the public purposes of the district, to enter into one or more26
contracts, agreements, or cooperative endeavors with the state and its political27
subdivisions or political corporations, the city-parish, the owners of property28
in the district, and with any public or private association, corporation, business29 SB NO. 648
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entity, or person, including but not limited to a cooperative endeavor1
agreement, a pledge and collateral assignment agreements, and tax collection2
agreement.3
(5) To appoint officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties, and4
fix their compensation.5
(6) To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, lease, or otherwise such property6
as may be necessary or desirable for carrying out the objectives and purposes7
of the district and to mortgage and sell such property.8
(7) In its own name and on its own behalf to incur debt and to issue9
bonds, notes, certificates, and other evidences of indebtedness, and in the event10
the district elects to issue bonds pursuant to the authority under this Section,11
then the district shall be deemed and considered to be an issuer for purposes of12
R.S. 33:9037, and shall, to the extent not in conflict with this Section, be subject13
to the provisions of R.S. 33:9037.14
(8) To establish such funds or accounts as are necessary for the conduct15
of the affairs of the district.16
(9) To levy and collect the taxes authorized pursuant to this Section.17
(10) To pledge the district tax collections and other funds and property18
as security for the financing or refinancing of any costs incurred or to be19
incurred in connection with any project or projects, or parts thereof, within the20
boundaries of the district.21
(11) To enter into one or more agreements to provide for the collection22
of the taxes collected within the district and remittance of the taxes to the23
appropriate recipients.24
(12) To exercise any and all of the powers granted to an economic25
development district as if the district were an economic development district26
established pursuant to Part II of Chapter 27 of Title 33 of the Louisiana27
Revised Statutes of 1950, including but not limited to the powers of tax28
increment financing pursuant to R.S. 33:9038.33 and 33:9038.34 and the power29 SB NO. 648
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to levy taxes within the district pursuant to R.S. 33:9038.39, provided that any1
such powers exercised by the district shall be subject to the provisions of Part2
II of Chapter 27 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 unless3
such provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of this Section, in which4
case the provisions of this Section shall control.5
(13) To exercise any and all of the powers granted to a community6
development district as if the district were a community development district7
established pursuant to Chapter 27-B of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised8
Statutes of 1950, including but not limited to the power to levy special9
assessments on property within the district pursuant to R.S. 33:9039.29,10
provided that any such powers exercised by the district shall be subject to the11
provisions of Chapter 27-B of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 195012
unless such provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of this Section, in13
which case the provisions of this Section shall control.14
F. Levy of Taxes. (1) In order to provide funds for the purposes of the15
district, the district, acting by and through its board, is hereby authorized to16
levy and collect within the district:17
(a) A tax upon the occupancy of hotel rooms, motel rooms, and overnight18
camping facilities.19
(b) A tax on the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the20
consumption and storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property21
and on sales of services, all as defined in R.S. 47:301 et seq., or any other22
appropriate provision or provisions of law, as amended.23
(2) The aggregate tax rate upon the occupancy of hotel rooms, motel24
rooms, and overnight camping facilities within the district authorized pursuant25
to Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (F)(1) shall be at least equal to the aggregate26
rate of all taxes upon the occupancy of hotel rooms, motel rooms, and overnight27
camping facilities levied and collected within the city-parish.28
(3) The aggregate sales tax rate within the district authorized pursuant29 SB NO. 648
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to Subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (F)(1) shall be at least equal to the aggregate1
rate of all such sales taxes levied and collected within the city-parish.2
(4)(a) The word "hotel" as used in this Section shall mean and include3
any establishment, both public and private, engaged in the business of4
furnishing or providing rooms and overnight camping facilities intended or5
designed for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes to transient guests where6
such establishment consists of two or more guest rooms.7
(b) The occupancy tax shall be paid by the person who exercises or is8
entitled to occupancy of the hotel room, and shall be paid at the time the rent9
or fee of occupancy is paid.10
(c) The food and beverage tax shall be paid by the person who pays for11
the food and beverages at the point of sale.12
(d) The word "person" as used in this Section shall have the same13
meaning as contained in R.S. 47:301(8).14
(5) The taxes authorized in this Section shall be imposed by ordinance15
adopted by the district, acting by and through its board, without the need of an16
election.17
(6) It is hereby recognized that there are currently no hotel occupancy18
or sales taxes generated at the property within the district. Accordingly, if the19
district elects to levy and collect any of the taxes authorized in this Section, such20
levy shall be deemed to supersede and be in lieu of only such other taxes on21
hotel occupancy and sales that, without the authority of this Section, would22
otherwise be levied within the district, do not secure bonds that have been23
authorized, that have not been dedicated by other law or by proposition24
approved by electors voting in an election for such purpose, and that are not25
based on a per head or per person basis. Additionally, if, during the term of the26
district, such other taxes on hotel occupancy or sales within the district that are27
currently not available for use for tax increment financing purposes should28
subsequently cease to be authorized to secure bonds, cease to secure bonds that29 SB NO. 648
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have been authorized, or cease to be dedicated by other law or by proposition1
approved by electors voting in an election for such purpose, and thus, become2
available for the use of the financing purposes hereunder, then such levy shall3
at such time be deemed to supersede and be in lieu of such other taxes on hotel4
occupancy or sales within the district and shall be available for use for the5
purposes of the district.6
G. Tax Financing. (1)(a) The district may issue revenue bonds, in one7
or more series, payable from an irrevocable pledge and dedication of up to the8
full amount of the district's hotel occupancy and sales tax increments and other9
district revenues, leases, gifts, proceeds, rents, or other advantages as10
authorized by this Section, in an amount to be determined by the district, to11
secure any financing or multiple refinancings of any costs incurred or to be12
incurred in connection with any project or projects, or parts thereof, within the13
boundaries of the district. Additionally, without the necessity of issuing revenue14
bonds, the district may pledge up to the full amount of the district's hotel15
occupancy and sales tax increments and other district revenues, leases, gifts,16
proceeds, rents, or other advantages received or collected under the authority17
of this Section to any financing or multiple refinancings of any costs incurred18
or to be incurred in connection with any project or projects, or parts thereof,19
within the boundaries of the district in furtherance of the purposes of the20
district. Such financing may include, but shall not be limited to any loan or21
loans, mortgages, the issuance of bonds, or the issuance of certificates of22
indebtedness. For each of the designated non-voter elected, pledged or23
dedicated hotel occupancy taxes and sales taxes collected within the district, a24
tax increment shall consist of that portion of the aggregate of such tax revenues25
collected by the district each year which exceeds the amount of such taxes that26
were collected in the year immediately prior to the year in which the district27
was established.28
(b) The pledge or dedication of tax increments authorized by this Section29 SB NO. 648
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to pay indebtedness shall not impair existing obligations of the district and shall1
not include tax revenues previously dedicated by the district for a special2
purpose.3
(2) Any instruments or obligations of the district may be validly4
executed, issued, sold, and delivered, notwithstanding that one or more of the5
officers of the board signing such instruments or obligations, or whose facsimile6
signature or signatures may be on the instruments or obligations, shall have7
ceased to be such officer of the board at the time such instruments or8
obligations shall actually have been delivered.9
(3) Any cost, obligation, or expense incurred for any of the purposes or10
powers of the district specified in this Section shall be a part of the project costs11
and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of the proceeds of bonds, tax12
increments, property or other obligations of, pledged or issued by the district.13
(4) The authority granted to the district pursuant to the provisions of this14
Section is consistent with and subject to the limitations provided in R.S.15
33:9038.42.16
H. Term. The district shall dissolve and cease to exist one year after the17
date on which all loans, bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness18
secured, in whole or in part, by district taxes or property are paid in full as to19
both principal and interest; provided, however, that under no event shall the20
district have an existence of more than fifty years from the date on which the21
taxes authorized pursuant to this Section are first levied and collected.22
I. Contesting ordinance or resolution; time limit. Any ordinance or23
resolution adopted by the board, or the pledge of tax increments collected under24
the authority of this Section to any financing authorized by this Section may be25
published at least once in the official journal of East Baton Rouge Parish. For26
thirty days after the date of publication, any person in interest may contest the27
legality of the ordinance or resolution and of any provision therein made for the28
security and payment of the debt obligation or the levy and collection of such29 SB NO. 648
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taxes. After that time, no one shall have any cause of action to test the1
regularity, formality, legality, or effectiveness of the ordinance or resolution,2
and provisions thereof for any cause whatever. Thereafter, it shall be3
conclusively presumed that every legal requirement for the levy and collection4
of taxes, the issuance of bonds or other debt obligations, or the pledge of tax5
increment collected, including all things pertaining to the authorizing thereof,6
has been complied with. No court shall have authority to inquire into any of7
these matters after the thirty day period after publication.8
J. Liberal construction. This Section, being necessary for the welfare of9
the city-parish and its residents, shall be liberally construed to effect the10
purposes thereof.11
K. Severability. The provisions of this Section are severable. It is12
intended that if any provision of this Section should be adjudged invalid or13
unenforceable, then such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such14
invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of15
this Section. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, if16
any portion of a tax levied or tax increment pledged or dedicated pursuant to17
this Section is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the18
remaining portion of such tax or tax increment.19
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not20
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature21
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If22
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become23
effective on the day following such approval.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Martha S. Hess.
DIGEST
Dorsey-Colomb (SB 648)
Proposed law creates the Old LNB Building Redevelopment District in East Baton Rouge
Parish as a special taxing district and political subdivision of the state. SB NO. 648
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Proposed law provides that the purpose of the district is to provide for cooperative economic
development in order to provide for the redevelopment of, and dramatic improvement to, the
property within the district located in the city-parish.
Proposed law provides that the district be governed by a three-member board of
commissioners. The commissioners shall be:
(1)The mayor-president of the city-parish or his designee.
(2)The mayor-president pro-tempore of the city-parish or his designee.
(3)The council member for Metropolitan Council District No. 10 of the city-parish or
his designee.
Proposed law provides that the domicile of the board shall be established by the board at a
location within the district. Provides the general rights and powers of the district and its
board of commissioners.
Proposed law authorizes the district to levy a tax upon the occupancy of hotel rooms, motel
rooms, and overnight camping facilities, and a tax upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease
or rental, the consumption and storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property
and on sales of services. The tax must be at least equal to the aggregate rate of all taxes upon
the occupancy of hotel rooms, motel rooms, and overnight camping facilities levied and
collected within the parish of East Baton Rouge. The aggregate sales tax within the district
shall be at least equal to the aggregate rate of such sales taxes levied and collected within the
parish of East Baton Rouge.
Proposed law authorizes the district to use hotel and sales tax incremental financing or other
financing pledging the revenues of the district.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 33:9038.67)