RDCSB496 474 3702
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)]
SB 496 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Ward
Proposed law creates the Capital Area Road and Bridge District as a political subdivision of
the state comprised of the territory in East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, Iberville,
and West Baton Rouge parishes to finance road and bridge projects including a new bridge
over the Mississippi River.
Proposed law provides that the management and control of the district shall be vested in a
board of commissioners composed of seven members, including the secretary of the Dept.
of Transportation and Development or his designee, the president of each of the parishes in
the district or their designees, and one gubernatorial appointee who shall be a resident of the
district and serve at the pleasure of the governor. Proposed law allows for members to be
state or local elected officials or employees of the state or of a parish or municipality.
Proposed law provides for meetings of the board, the selection of officers, and quorums.
Proposed law provides for the powers of the district, which include the following:
(1)To sue and be sued.
(2)To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
(3)To initiate or coordinate research, studies, and gathering of information on the
projects.
(4)To be designated an official depository for information relating to and about the road
or bridge projects.
(5)To receive money from any public or private body which may desire to appropriate
or donate such funds to be used to defray the expenses of the district.
Proposed law authorizes the commission to apply for and accept grants or contributions.
Proposed law provides that the commission shall have the advice and service of Dept. of
Transportation and Development. Proposed law further provides that the district is permitted
to use alternative competitive procurement and delivery methods for the award of any
contracts for a major project.
Proposed law authorizes the district to create subdistricts which have the same powers as the
district itself.
Proposed law regarding financing of road and bridge projects, authorizes the district to:
(1)Levy ad valorem taxes.
(2)Impose a parcel fee not to exceed an annual fee of $500 per parcel.
(3)Levy a sales and use tax not to exceed 1%.
(4)Issue bonds secured by ad valorem and sales and use taxes.
Proposed law provides that the levy of any tax, the imposition of a parcel fee, and the
issuance of bonds is subject to approval of the voters in each parish comprising the district.
Prohibits submission of a tax or bond proposition to the voters that does not provide funding
for a new bridge over the Mississippi River and connecting infrastructure.
Page 1 of 2 RDCSB496 474 3702
Authorizes use of district revenue for costs related to the transportation infrastructure
projects that the district is authorized to undertake. Such related costs include:
(1)Costs of studies, surveys, development of plans and specifications, preparation,
implementation and administration, personnel and professional services costs for
architectural, engineering, legal, marketing, financial, planning, police, fire, public
works or other services incurred by the district directly or on behalf of the district.
Proposed law prohibits basing charges for professional services on a percentage of
tax revenues.
(2)Property acquisition and assembly costs, including acquisition of land and other
immovable or movable property or rights or interests therein.
(3)On- and off-site preparation costs, including clearance of any area by demolition or
removal of any existing buildings, structures, fixtures, utilities and improvements
and clearing and grading and including without limitation installation, repair,
construction, reconstruction, or relocation of public streets, public utilities, and other
public improvements.
(4)Costs of renovation, rehabilitation, relocation, repair, or remodeling of any existing
buildings, improvements, and fixtures.
(5)Costs of construction of public improvements, including but not limited to buildings,
structures, works, utilities, or fixtures.
(6)Financing costs of the district, including all necessary and incidental expenses
related to the issuance of obligations, payment of any interest on any obligations
which accrues during the estimated period of construction for which such obligations
are issued and thereafter, and any reasonable reserves related to the issuance of such
obligations.
Proposed law authorizes the district to impose and collect tolls in accordance with present
law that authorizes parishes to issue bonds secured by toll revenue.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 48:771-780)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Makes similar to SB362 of the 2018 Regular Session, but this bill has
different membership and the ability to create subdistricts.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the reengrossed bill:
1. Modify procedures for notification of mortgage holders regarding proceedings
against property for unpaid parcel fees.
Page 2 of 2