RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 292 (HB 731) 2016 Regular Session Marcelle
New law creates the Capital Heights 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 and providing for overall betterment of the district. Provides for district
boundaries. Provides that the district shall be governed by a board of commissioners
composed as follows:
(1)One member appointed by the board of directors of the Capital Heights
Neighborhood Assoc.
(2)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.
(3)One member appointed by the member of the La. Senate whose district encompasses
all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
(4)One member appointed by the member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro
Council whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the
district.
(5)One member appointed by the parish assessor of East Baton Rouge.
Requires board members to own property and reside in the district and to be qualified voters
of the district.
New law authorizes the governing authority of the district, subject to voter approval, to
impose and collect a parcel fee on each parcel within the district. Provides that the amount
of the fee shall be in a duly adopted resolution of the board. Provides that the fee imposed
on improved parcels shall not exceed $250 per year and the fee on unimproved parcels shall
not exceed 50% of the fee on improved parcels. Provides that parcels qualifying for the
special assessment level provided for by the La. Constitution shall have a fee of 25% of what
would otherwise be imposed on such parcel. Provides, however, that the initial fee for the
first calendar year shall not exceed $100 per parcel. Authorizes the board, subject to voter
approval, to increase the fee one time during each calendar year not to exceed 20% of the fee
imposed during the previous calendar year. Provides that the fee and the board's authority
to increase the fee expires in 10 years, but authorizes renewal of the fee for a term not to
exceed 10 years. Defines "parcel" as a lot, a subdivided portion of ground within Capital
Heights, and which is listed on the tax rolls for assessment of property taxes.
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 not
more than 60 days after collection and authorizes the district to enter into an agreement with
the tax collector to authorize 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 provided 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 city-parish to be used for law enforcement purposes in the area which comprised the
district.
Effective upon signature of governor (May 31, 2016). (Adds R.S. 33:9097.28)