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RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 352 (HB 715) 2015 Regular Session Hall
Existing law creates the Pineville Downtown Development District as a political subdivision
of the state for the primary purpose of redevelopment of the central business district. New
law makes changes to the district's boundaries.
Existing law provides that the district is governed by a seven-member board, three of whom
are appointed by the governing authority of Pineville and one of whom is appointed by the
governing authority of Rapides Parish. Prior law provided that the other three members were
appointed as follows: one member by the Central Cities Development Corporation, one
member by the North Rapides Community Enhancement Program, and one member by the
District One Neighborhood Watch. New law provides that the other three are appointed as
follows: one member by the Central La. Economic Development Alliance, one member by
the governing board of the Central La. Chamber of Commerce, one member by the North
Rapides Business and Industry Alliance.
New law provides that the terms of the members of the board serving on August 1, 2015,
terminate on that date; however, the members must remain in office until new members are
appointed as provided in new law and take office.
Existing law (R.S. 33:4625) authorizes parishes to create redevelopment agencies, subject
to voter approval, to provide for the utilization of appropriate public resources to eliminate
and prevent the development or spread of slum, blighted, and distressed areas. Provides for
the powers and duties of a redevelopment agency including the following:
(1)To undertake and carry out redevelopment projects and related activities within its
area of operation.
(2)To provide, arrange, or contract for the furnishing or repair of services, privileges,
works, streets, roads, public utilities or other facilities for or in connection with a
redevelopment project, and to install, construct, and reconstruct streets, utilities,
parks, playgrounds, and other public improvements.
(3)To acquire by purchase, lease, option, gift, grant, bequest, devise, by expropriation
or otherwise, any real property (or personal property for its administrative purposes)
together with any improvements thereon; to hold, improve, clear or prepare for
redevelopment such property; and to encumber or dispose of such property.
Existing law generally grants the district the powers granted by existing law to a parish
redevelopment agency except that new law removes the power of expropriation.
Existing law requires the district to formulate a redevelopment plan(s) and to submit the
plan(s) to the governing authority of Pineville for review. Further requires the board to
formulate a program(s) to implement any redevelopment plan. Authorizes the district to
employ all necessary professionals to implement the program.
New law additionally provides that the powers of the district include the following:
(1)To sue and be sued and as such to stand in judgment.
(2)To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
(3)To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, or lease and to hold and use any property
necessary or desirable for carrying out the objects and purposes of the district.
(4)To lease or dispose of property.
(5)To make and collect reasonable charges for the use of property of the district and for
services and to regulate fees or rentals charged for use of privately owned facilities
located on property owned or sold by the district. RESUMEHB715 552 4824
(6)To enter into contracts and agreements to achieve the district's objectives and
purposes.
(7)To require and issue licenses.
New law provides that the authority shall not be deemed to be an instrumentality of the state
for purposes of the state civil service provisions of the state constitution.
Existing law authorizes the district, subject to voter approval, to levy an ad valorem tax.
Prior law provided as follows with respect to such tax: the maximum rate was 15 mills, the
levy of the tax was subject to the approval of the governing authority of Pineville, and the
tax could be levied for the purpose of constructing, acquiring, and maintaining public
facilities contemplated by the district redevelopment plan and for the operating expenses of
the district. New law removes the maximum tax rate, the requirement for approval by the
governing authority of Pineville, and the specified purposes of the tax. Provides that the
purpose of the tax shall be as provided in the proposition submitted to the voters.
New law additionally authorizes the district, subject to voter approval, to levy a sales and use
tax not to exceed 1%.
Prior law authorized the district, subject to voter approval, to issue general obligation bonds
for the purpose of constructing, acquiring, or improving any work of public improvement
contemplated by the redevelopment plan.
New law instead authorizes the district to issue bonds permitted by law, incur debt, borrow
money, and issue certificates of indebtedness, notes, and other debt obligations as evidence
thereof for the acquisition and operation of district property and provide for the manner and
method of repayment in accordance with law.
New law authorizes the district to issue revenue bonds to finance the undertaking of a
redevelopment project, or otherwise to acquire, purchase, lease, construct, or improve
residential, commercial, research, industrial, or other plant sites and buildings, or other
capital improvements. Authorizes the authority to enter into, amend, or terminate ancillary
contracts for certain purposes.
New law provides that the district shall not be required to pay any taxes. Provides that any
bonds issued by the district and the income therefrom shall be exempt from taxation.
Effective August 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 33:2740.50)