DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 577 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Jackson
Abstract: Provides relative to attempts to challenge or invalidate extensions of corporate limits by
municipalities.
Present law provides relative to annexation by municipalities. Authorizes the governing body of any
municipality other than the city of New Orleans to, by ordinance, enlarge the boundaries of the
municipality to include territory within which all of the land is owned by a state agency, political
subdivision, or public body. Provides that such annexation requires petition of the governing body
of the agency, political subdivision, or public body owning the land which is to be so included.
Proposed law retains present law and specifies that only the state agency, political subdivision, or
public body that owns the land subject to such a municipal annexation may challenge or otherwise
seek to invalidate an ordinance to enlarge the boundaries of the municipality.
Proposed law provides an exception to proposed law by authorizing a municipality that does not
own the land subject to a municipal annexation to challenge or otherwise seek to invalidate an
ordinance to enlarge the boundaries of another municipality if the area annexed meets all of the
following conditions:
(1)It is located within one mile of a boundary of the challenging municipality.
(2)All of the land within the area is owned by state agency, political subdivision or public body.
(3)It is not contiguous to the annexing municipality.
(Adds R.S. 33:180(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and
Cultural Affairs to the original bill:
1. Delete a proposed change of standard used in judicial suits to contest proposed
annexations from whether the extension is reasonable to whether a rational basis exists
for such an extension.
2. Add provisions for an exception to proposed law; Authorize a municipality that does not
own the land subject to a municipal annexation to challenge or otherwise seek to invalidate an ordinance to enlarge the boundaries if the area to be annexed meets certain
conditions.