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 259 Original 2017 Regular Session Zeringue
Abstract: Authorizes levee districts created after January 1, 2006, to levy up to a five-mill tax
without a vote of the people.
Present constitution authorizes levee districts created prior to Jan. 1, 2006, to levy a property tax of
up to five mills, except that the Orleans Levee District may only levy up to a two and one-half mill
tax.
Present constitution authorizes levee districts created after Jan. 1, 2006, to levy a property tax only
if approved by a majority of electors of the district. Further, present constitution requires that if the
district is comprised of more than one parish, the tax must be approved by a majority of electors in
each parish.
Proposed constitutional amendment changes present constitution by authorizing any levee district
created after Jan. 1, 2006, to levy a property tax of up to five mills without a vote of the people just
as those districts created prior to Jan. 1, 2006, are authorized to do in the present constitution.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held
on Oct. 14, 2017.
(Amends Const. Art. VI, ยง39)