RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 322 (HB 553) 2019 Regular Session Jimmy Harris
Existing law creates the Lower Ninth Ward Economic Development District in Orleans
Parish as a political subdivision of the state to plan and facilitate the revitalization of the
residential and commercial areas within the district.
Prior law provided that the district was governed by a nine-member board of commissioners
appointed as follows: one member appointed by the senator representing District No. 2, one
member appointed by the state representative representing District No. 99, one member
appointed by the mayor of the city of New Orleans, one member appointed by the city
council member representing Council District E, four members appointed by the Lower
Ninth Ward Economic Development Foundation, and one member appointed by the Lower
Ninth Ward Neighborhood Council.
New law instead provides that the district is governed by an 11-member board of
commissioners appointed as follows: two members appointed by the state representative for
the House of Representatives district encompassing all or the greater portion of the area of
the district, two members appointed by the state senator for the Senate district encompassing
all or the greater portion of the area of the district, two members appointed by the mayor of
the city of New Orleans, two members appointed by the city council member whose district
encompasses all or a greater portion of the area of the district, one member appointed by the
governing board of the Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Assoc., and two members appointed
by the Table Connect Group.
Existing law requires each board member to be a qualified voter of Orleans Parish. Provides
that board members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Prior law required each
board member to have his principal place of business or profession in, or own property in,
the district. Prior law further provided that board members served two-year terms.
New law removes prior law and requires each board member to be a resident of Orleans
Parish. New law provides that the terms of the board members in office on the effective date
of new law terminate on that date.
Existing law requires the board to prepare a development plan or plans specifying the public
improvements, facilities, and services proposed to be furnished, constructed, or acquired for
the district. Prior law authorized the board to conduct hearings, publish notices, and
disseminate information with respect to the development plan. New law makes these actions
mandatory.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Amends R.S. 33:2740.54(B)(1), (2), and (3) and (D)(1))