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 853 Reengrossed 2016 Regular Session Robert Johnson
Abstract: Modifies the composition of the Avoyelles Parish Port Commission.
Present law creates the Avoyelles Parish Port Commission.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the Avoyelles Parish Port Commission is composed of seven members who
shall serve without compensation and who shall be appointed as follows:
(1)Four commissioners appointed by the governing authority of the parish of Avoyelles.
(2)Two commissioners appointed by the governing authority of the town of Simmesport.
(3)One commissioner elected by the appointed commissioners at their initial meeting.
Present law provides that commissioners are appointed for terms of six years.
Proposed law removes present law and instead provides that the commission would be composed
of nine members who shall serve without compensation and who would be appointed, subject to
Senate confirmation.
Proposed law requires each member of the police jury of Avoyelles Parish to submit a list of three
nominees from his respective district to the representative representing House District 28, the senator
representing Senate District 28, and the senator representing Senate District 32. Each nominee
would be required to be domiciled in the police jury district that the police jury member represents.
Proposed law requires that together the representative representing House District 28, the senator
representing Senate District 28, and the senator representing Senate District 32 would appoint one
nominee from each list of nominees submitted to serve as commissioners.
Proposed law requires that the initial commissioners appointed following the effective date of
proposed law would serve until Jan. 12, 2020. Thereafter, any commissioner appointed would serve
a terms of four years.
(Amends R.S. 34:1801) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways and
Public Works to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Revert back to the original name of the Avoyelles Parish Port Commission instead of the
proposed change to Avoyelles Parish Port and Waterway Commission and remove the
assignment provision
3. Clarify that the Avoyelles Parish Port Commission is composed of nine members with
one member domiciled in each police jury district.
4. Add the senator representing Senate District 32 as a legislator designated to appoint
members of the Avoyelles Parish Port Commission.
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways and
Public Works to the engrossed bill:
1. Add that each member of the police jury of Avoyelles Parish would submit a list of three
nominees from his respective district to the representative representing House District
28, the senator representing Senate District 28, and the senator representing Senate
District 32. Specify that nominee would be required to be domiciled in the police jury
district that the police jury member represents.
2. Require that together the representative representing House District 28, the senator
representing Senate District 28, and the senator representing Senate District 32 would
appoint one nominee from each list of nominees submitted to serve as commissioners.
3. Require that the initial commissioners appointed following the effective date of
proposed law would serve until Jan. 12, 2020. Specify that thereafter any commissioner
appointed would serve a terms of four years.
4. Make a technical change.