ENROLLED
ACT No. 400
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 785
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEOPOLD
1 AN ACT
2 To 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.
6 Be 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 forty-
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
20 quality of life of district residents by maintaining property values, increasing the tax
21 base, fostering economic growth, and providing for recreational activities.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HB NO. 785 ENROLLED
1 C.(1) The parish governing authority shall provide, in the ordinance creating
2 the district, for its name, boundaries, governance, and powers and duties, including
3 the authority to impose taxes or fees on property located within the boundaries of the
4 district. However, no tax or fee may be imposed within the district until after the
5 question of its imposition, including its purpose, rate, and duration, has been
6 approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the district who vote on the
7 proposition at an election held for that purpose in accordance with the Louisiana
8 Election Code.
9 (2) The parish governing authority may grant to the district the power to
10 perform any function which it deems appropriate for achieving the purpose of the
11 district, including the acquisition of property located within the boundaries of the
12 district. However, the district shall not be authorized to acquire property by
13 expropriation.
14 D.(1) Any district created pursuant to this Section shall be subject to audit
15 in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 24:513.
16 (2) The funds of the district shall not be used for the improvement and
17 maintenance of a security wall around the neighborhood, provision and maintenance
18 of guardhouses, or provision and improvement of security patrols in the area.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.