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 691 Original 2015 Regular Session Smith
Abstract: Creates the Riverbend Crime Prevention and Improvement District in East Baton Parish.
Provides for the district's boundaries, purpose, governance, and funding, including the
authority to impose a parcel fee.
Proposed law creates the Riverbend Crime Prevention and Improvement District in East Baton
Rouge Parish as a political subdivision of the state for the purpose of aiding in crime prevention by
providing for an increase of law enforcement personnel in the district and providing for
beautification and improvements for overall district betterment. Provides for district boundaries.
Provides that the district shall be governed by a board of commissioners composed as follows:
(1)The president of the Riverbend Homeowners Association.
(2)Three members appointed by the board of directors of the Riverbend Homeowners
Association.
(3)One member appointed by the member of the La. House of Representatives whose district
encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
(4)One member appointed by the member of the La. Senate whose district encompasses all or
the greater portion of the area of the district.
(5)One member appointed by the parish assessor of East Baton Rouge Parish.
Requires board members to own property and reside in the district and to be qualified voters of the
district.
Proposed law provides for the district's powers and duties including the following:
(1)To sue and be sued.
(2)To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
(3)To receive and expend funds from an authorized parcel fee and in accordance with an
adopted budget.
(4)To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public. (5)To provide or enhance security patrols in the district, to provide for improved lighting,
signage, or matters relating to the security of the district, to provide for the beautification of
and improvement to the district, and to provide generally for the overall betterment of the
district.
Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of the district, subject to voter approval, to impose
and collect a parcel fee on each improved and unimproved parcel within the district not to exceed
$150 per parcel per year, which amount shall be as provided in a duly adopted board resolution.
Authorizes the governing authority of the district, without election, to increase the fee not to exceed
$250 per parcel per year. Authorizes renewal of the fee for a term not to exceed 15 years. Defines
"parcel" as a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, or an individual tract.
Proposed law provides that the fee shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as ad
valorem taxes and that any unpaid fee shall be added to the parish tax rolls and enforced with the
same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad valorem taxes.
Requires the tax collector to remit to the district all amounts collected and authorizes the district to
enter into an agreement with the tax collector for the retention of a collection fee, not to exceed 1%
of the amount collected.
Proposed law requires the district's board to adopt an annual budget in accordance with the La. Local
Government Budget Act and provides that the district shall be subject to audit by the legislative
auditor.
Proposed law provides that it is the purpose and intent of proposed law that the additional law
enforcement personnel and their services provides for through the fees authorized by proposed law
shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, personnel and services provided in the district by
publicly funded law enforcement agencies.
Proposed law provides that if the district ceases to exist, all district funds shall be transmitted to the
parish of East Baton Rouge and used for law enforcement purposes within the district.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.25)