Dorsey-Colomb (SB 648) Act No. 775
New law creates the Old LNB Building Redevelopment District in East Baton Rouge Parish
as a special taxing district and political subdivision of the state.
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.
Provides that the district be governed by a three-member board of commissioners. All three
members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 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.
(3)The council member for Metropolitan Council District No. 10 of the city-parish.
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. Provides that the district shall be subject to the Public Records Law, officials
journals law, Code of Governmental Ethics, and audit law.
Authorizes the district to exercise the power of economic development districts in the TIF
provisions for local governmental subdivisions in prior law including ad valorem tax
increment financing and sales tax increment financing; the power of community development
districts to levy special assessments for the payment of bonds, financing, maintenance and
preservation; and the levy of sales taxes or hotel occupancy taxes above and in addition to
any other sales taxes or hotel occupancy taxes then in existence or permitted to be in
existence within the district, in an amount as may be determined by the board with the
approved written consent of the owners of immovable property in the district, all in addition
to the powers of economic development districts granted in the proposed law and the power
to levy taxes in the TIF law in R.S. 33:9038.39, subject to the limitations and prohibitions
of the Louisiana Constitution.
Provides that the aggregate tax rates of the sales tax and occupancy tax must be at least equal
to the aggregate rate of all sales and occupancy taxes within the city-parish. In addition, the
taxes levied are deemed to supersede other city-parish sales and occupancy taxes if the taxes:
(1)Do not secure bonds that have been authorized.
(2)Have not been dedicated by other law or by proposition approved by electors.
(3)Are not based on a per head or per person basis.
(4)Is not the occupancy tax authorized by R.S. 33:4574.1.1(A)(6) relating to Visit Baton
Rouge.
Authorizes the district to use hotel and sales tax incremental financing or other financing
pledging the revenues of the district. Provides relative to publishing requirements for certain
actions by the board. Prohibits court authority into board action relative to adoption of
ordinances or resolutions or pledge of tax increments after 30 days after publication unless
a claim has been filed.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 19, 2014).
(Adds R.S. 33:9038.67)