RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 127 (HB 691) 2015 Regular Session Smith
New 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 Assoc.
(2)Three members appointed by the board of directors of the Riverbend Homeowners
Assoc.
(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 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.
New law authorizes 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. Authorizes the governing authority of the district, without election, to increase the
fee to an amount 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. Provides that the term shall not include condominium parcel or
condominium property as defined in existing law (R.S. 9:1121.103).
New 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.
New 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.
New law provides that it is the purpose and intent of new law that the additional law
enforcement personnel and their services provides for through the fees authorized by new law
shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, personnel and services provided in the district
by publicly funded law enforcement agencies.
New 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.
New law requires the district to indemnify its officers and board members to the fullest
extent permitted by existing law (relative to indemnification of officers, directors, employees,
and agents of nonprofit corporations) as fully as if the district were a nonprofit corporation
governed thereby and as may be provided in district bylaws. Provides further with respect
to the liability of officers and board members.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 19, 2015).
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.25)