Louisiana House Bill HB682

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/22/16
• Report Pass: 4/25/16

Caption

Provides relative to the Southeast Flood Protection Authority East and West Bank

Impact

The bill's provisions are significant for the governance of flood protection in southeastern Louisiana. By limiting the terms of commissioners, the bill seeks to ensure a rotation within leadership positions, which advocates argue may lead to fresh perspectives and practices in flood management. On the flip side, this could also lead to instability if experienced individuals are forced out. Moreover, the bill explicitly prohibits the authority or any levee district within its jurisdiction from acting as a drainage district after January 1, 2018, which seeks to streamline the focus and resources allocated to flood protection efforts.

Summary

House Bill 682 focuses on regulating the terms and responsibilities of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and West Bank. It aims to amend the existing laws about the composition of the nominating committees for boards of commissioners and the terms these commissioners serve. Specifically, the bill places a limit on commissioners, stating they can only serve two four-year terms for life. The proposed regulations are articulated in the context of maintaining structured governance over flood protection authorities, reflecting a commitment to effective regional management.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 682 appears to be cautiously positive among those who advocate for structured governance and accountability within the flood protection authority. Proponents believe that term limits for commissioners can promote good governance and prevent entrenched leadership. However, there are underlying concerns from some quarters regarding the potential loss of experienced leadership and the implications of limiting terms too stringently. As such, the discussion reflects varying perspectives on balancing governance efficiency and sustainability.

Contention

Notable points of contention include concerns from critics who argue that such term limits might disrupt continuity in decision-making processes during critical periods of flood management. By imposing limits on the nominating committee's terms, the bill could also restrict the agency's capacity to draw on long-term experience, which may be crucial in navigating future flood challenges. The prohibition against the authority functioning as a drainage district raises questions about the efficacy of maintaining multiple regulatory roles and what might be considered as overreach in regulating local governance.