Louisiana 2015 2015 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SB257 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
Act 464 (SB 257) 2015 Regular Session	Thompson
Prior law created a "The Tax Increment Development Corporation" (TID) in each parish and
municipality in the state which may be activated by an ordinance or resolution of the
governing authority of the parish or municipality. Provided that the TID is authorized to fund
a tax increment development project with ad valorem property tax increments, including the
authority to issue indebtedness.
Prior law authorized entities defined as "local governmental subdivisions" to implement ad
valorem tax and sales tax increment financing and to issue revenue bonds backed by a pledge
of the tax increments to finance all or any part of an "economic development project".
Prior law authorized such "local governmental subdivisions" to enter into a joint venture or
cooperative endeavor for a public purpose with a federal, state, or local governmental agency
or with a private or public firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity.
Prior law authorized such "local governmental subdivisions" to issue revenue bonds and
other bonds and forms of indebtedness.
Prior law authorized such "local governmental subdivisions" to levy an ad valorem tax of up
to five mills and two percent of sales tax after the governing authority of the district gives
notice and meets in open and public session to hear any objections and the favorable vote of
a majority of the electors of the district voting in an election.
Provided that such tax increase may be levied only after the governing authority of the
district has called a special election submitting the proposition for the levy of such taxes to
the qualified electors of the district and the proposition has received the favorable vote of a
majority of the electors voting in the election; however, in the event there are no qualified
electors in the district as certified by the registrar of voters, no such election shall be
required.
New law defines any Tax Increment Development Corporation (TID) activated in a
municipality with a population of not less than 3,300 and not more than 3,395 according to
the most recent federal decennial census as an "issuer" and a "local governmental
subdivision" for utilization of such TID authority in prior law, but only for the purpose of a
specified project described as the financing or refinancing of an economic development
project or a tax increment community development project consisting of a combination of
residential housing units, a bank, and retail establishments including a grocery store,
pharmacy, restaurants, and related facilities.
New law specifically grants to such TID all the ad valorem, sales tax, and occupancy tax
increment finance and bonding authority, and the ad valorem and sales tax levy authority
granted to "local governmental subdivisions" as described above.
Restricts the powers, authorities, and duties granted to the TID under prior law to a
geographically-defined district of no more than 10 acres initiated by the chief executive
officer or mayor of a municipality or to a tax increment community development area
established by ordinance or resolution of the TID.  The TID may pledge any taxes collected
under the authority of the new law to the project described in new law in furtherance of the
purposes of the TID.  Such financing may include but shall not be limited to loans,
mortgages, the issuance of bonds, or the issuance of certificates of indebtedness.
New law must be liberally construed to effect its purposes.
Effective upon signature of the governor (July 1, 2015).
(Amends R.S. 33:9038.31(2) and (3); adds R.S. 33:9038.68)