RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 129 (HB 122) 2019 Regular Session Henry
Provides for the allocation and distribution of the Revenue Sharing Fund for FY 2019-2020.
This digest contains no changes from FY 2018-2019 and only restates the general provision
of last year's distribution. There were no changes to the tax recipient bodies or millages
authorized to share in their respective parishes.
(1)Provides for the annual allocation and distribution of the state revenue sharing fund
in the amount of $90,000,000 for FY 2019-2020. The parish allocation is determined
by the parish's percentage of the total state population (80% of the revenue sharing
fund) and the parish's percentage of the total number of homesteads in the state (20%
of the revenue sharing fund).
(2)Requires the state treasurer to remit the total parish allocation in three allotments no
later than Dec. 1, March 15, and May 15, and further requires the sheriff to distribute
such funds to the tax recipient bodies within 15 days after receipt. Authorizes the
sheriff to distribute the first payment based on the previous year pending receipt of
the current tax rolls and requires adjustments on the final two payments.
(3)The constitution mandates payment, on a first priority basis from the parish
allocation, of the sheriff's commission, retirement systems' deductions, and
reimbursement to eligible tax recipient bodies for ad valorem taxes lost as a result of
the homestead exemption. Any monies remaining in the parish allocation after such
payments are made are referred to as "excess funds" and are distributed on the basis
of a local formula contained in the Act.
(4)Provides that in any parish which had excess funds in 1977, except East Carroll, the
amount available for the reimbursement of homestead exemption losses shall be
limited to the amount used for that purpose in 1977, adjusted by the percentage by
which the number of homesteads in the parish increased from 1977 to 2018.
Prohibits participation of new millages levied after Jan. 1, 1978, unless authorized
to participate on the same pro rata basis by the local legislative delegation.
(5)Prohibits general obligation bond millages from participating in revenue sharing and
restates the constitutional mandate that the issuing authority levy sufficient millage
on all taxable property to pay annual debt requirements. Excepts Sabine Parish with
operation and maintenance millages having first priority over bond millages, excepts
Natchitoches Parish with maintenance and bond millages sharing pro rata, excepts
the BREC Capital Improvement Tax in East Baton Rouge Parish, and excepts all
bonds in Bossier Parish.
(6)Requires that all local distribution authorities file with the state treasurer all
information necessary for the computation and verification of amounts due to the
eligible taxing bodies, and provides that no funds shall be distributed prior to receipt
of such information. Directs the state treasurer and sheriff to pay to a recipient any
earnings received from the investments of the parish allocation.
(7)Retains all prior authorized participation from Act No. 396 of the 2018 R.S.
(Revenue Sharing Bill).
(8)The population shall be determined by the LSU AgCenter, Department of
Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, under the most recent federal-state
cooperative program for local population estimates.
Effective August 1, 2019.