HLS 16RS-383 ENGROSSED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 785
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEOPOLD
DISTRICTS/NEIGHBORHOOD: Provides for the creation of neighborhood improvement
and beautification districts in certain parishes
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 33:9099.3, relative to neighborhood districts; to provide for the creation of the
3 neighborhood improvement and beautification districts in certain parishes; to provide
4 relative to the purpose, governance, and funding of such districts; and to provide for
5 related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 33:9099.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง9099.3. Neighborhood Improvement and Beautification Districts; certain parishes
9 A. The governing authority of any parish with a population of not less than
10 two hundred seventy-five thousand persons and not more than four hundred thirty-
11 five thousand persons, according to the latest federal decennial census, may create,
12 by ordinance, a neighborhood improvement and beautification district within any
13 neighborhood located within the parish. The district shall be a special taxing district
14 and a political subdivision as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana. The
15 boundaries of the district shall be coterminous with the boundaries of the
16 neighborhood.
17 B. The primary object and purpose of the district shall be to promote and
18 encourage the improvement, beautification, and overall betterment of the
19 neighborhood located within the boundaries of the district in order to add to the
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 785
1 quality of life of district residents by maintaining property values, increasing the tax
2 base, fostering economic growth, and providing for recreational activities.
3 C.(1) The parish governing authority shall provide, in the ordinance creating
4 the district, for its name, boundaries, governance, and powers and duties, including
5 the authority to impose taxes or fees on property located within the boundaries of the
6 district. However, no tax or fee may be imposed within the district until after the
7 question of its imposition, including its purpose, rate, and duration, has been
8 approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the district who vote on the
9 proposition at an election held for that purpose in accordance with the Louisiana
10 Election Code.
11 (2) The parish governing authority may grant to the district the power to
12 perform any function which it deems appropriate for achieving the purpose of the
13 district, including the acquisition of property located within the boundaries of the
14 district. However, the district shall not be authorized to acquire property by
15 expropriation.
16 D.(1) Any district created pursuant to this Section shall be subject to audit
17 in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 24:513.
18 (2) The funds of the district shall not be used for the improvement and
19 maintenance of a security wall around the neighborhood, provision and maintenance
20 of guardhouses, or provision and improvement of security patrols in the area.
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)]
HB 785 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Leopold
Abstract: Authorizes the creation of neighborhood improvement and beautification
districts in certain parishes. Provides for the purpose, governance, and funding of
such districts.
Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of any parish with a population of not less
than 275,000 persons and not more than 435,000 persons to create, by ordinance, a
neighborhood improvement and beautification district within any neighborhood located
within the parish to promote and encourage the improvement, beautification, and overall
betterment of the neighborhood and aid its residents by maintaining property values,
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HB NO. 785
increasing the tax base, fostering economic growth, and providing for recreational activities.
Provides for district boundaries.
Proposed law requires the parish governing authority to provide, in the ordinance creating
the district, for its name, boundaries, governance, and powers and duties, including the
authority to impose taxes or fees within the district, subject to voter approval. Provides that
the parish governing authority may grant to the district the power to perform any function
appropriate for achieving the purpose of the district, including acquiring property located
within the district. However, prohibits the district from acquiring property by expropriation
and using district funds for security enhancements.
(Adds R.S. 33:9099.3)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the original bill:
1. Prohibit the district from acquiring property by expropriation.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.