HLS 162ES-299 ORIGINAL
2016 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 37
BY REPRESENTATIVE GLOVER
COMMERCE: Requests the House Committee on Commerce to study the state of the
automotive manufacturing industry in the state of Louisiana since the onset of the
most recent worldwide economic downturn
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the House Committee on Commerce to study the state of the automotive
3 manufacturing industry in the state of Louisiana since the onset of the most recent
4 worldwide economic turndown.
5 WHEREAS, during the late 2000s, a recession of a global scale adversely affected
6the economy of the United States; and
7 WHEREAS, such adverse effects were manifested as an overall decline in economic
8activity resulting in a loss of industry and consumer wealth, the scarce availability of credit,
9and subsequently, the realization of sharp cutbacks in consumer spending; and
10 WHEREAS, the national automobile industry, and the automobile industry in this
11state, experienced declining automobile sales and the substantial loss of employment
12opportunities; and
13 WHEREAS, perpetual declining sales and employment loss lead to the 2009
14bankruptcy of the General Motors Corporation, and by 2012, a complete cessation of
15automobile manufacturing at the General Motors Shreveport plant, which for more than
16thirty years was a generator of jobs and economic opportunity in this state; and
17 WHEREAS, after the bankruptcy of General Motors, the Shreveport plant was
18assumed by the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust (RACER)
19that was created by the United States Bankruptcy Court to clean up and position for
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HR NO. 37
1redevelopment the properties and other facilities owned by the former General Motors
2Corporation; and
3 WHEREAS, in 2013, in efforts to rebuild, reposition, and revitalize the state's hard-
4hit automobile industry, certain agreements were reached by RACER and particular
5automobile manufacturers for the production of certain vehicles at the former General
6Motors Shreveport plant; and
7 WHEREAS, such automobile production was expected to commence by the end of
82015, yielding the expectation for economic stimulation and the creation of thousands of
9potential jobs; and
10 WHEREAS, as of 2016, prior agreements for automobile production have yet to
11materialize, and the state has an interest in creating transparency and uncovering any
12pertinent explanations as to why those agreements have not come to fruition, as such
13agreements for automobile manufacturing in Louisiana can only serve to positively benefit
14the overall economy and citizenry of this state.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
16Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the House Committee on Commerce
17to do all of the following:
18 (1) Study the state of the automotive manufacturing industry in the state of Louisiana
19since the onset of the most recent worldwide economic turndown that began in 2008.
20 (2) Investigate and report on the activities of RACER in the state of Louisiana.
21 (3) Tour and assess the current condition and circumstances of any Louisiana based
22properties either currently or previously under the control and supervision of RACER in the
23state of Louisiana.
24 (4) Take testimony from local, regional, and state officials and economic
25development stakeholders regarding barriers and obstacles impacting the ability to
26effectively market facilities either currently or previously under the control of RACER.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Committee on Commerce shall report
28its findings to the House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 2017 Regular
29Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
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HR NO. 37
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)]
HR 37 Original 2016 Second Extraordinary Session Glover
Requests the House Committee on Commerce to study the state of the automotive
manufacturing industry in the state of Louisiana since the onset of the most recent worldwide
economic turndown.
Requests a report of its findings prior to the convening of 2017 R.S.
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