The original instrument was prepared by Michael Bell. The following digest, which
does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Nancy
Vicknair.
DIGEST
SB 161 Reengrossed 2019 Regular Session LaFleur
Present law creates the Lafayette Economic Development Authority as a political subdivision of the
state with its territorial limits and jurisdiction extending throughout the parish of Lafayette.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that no rule, regulation, or order shall be adopted by the
Lafayette Economic Development Authority which is inconsistent with or contrary to any law,
ordinance, or regulation now in force or hereinafter enacted by the United States of America, the
state of Louisiana, or Lafayette Parish, and any such rule, regulation, or order shall be void, except
that no action by the Lafayette Parish Council shall abrogate any contract or agreement duly executed
by the authority that was valid and legal when executed.
Present law provides for nomination and appointment of a board of commissioners appointed as
follows:
(1)Two members, one of whom shall be nominated by the Lafayette Parish Farm Bureau, shall
be appointed by a majority vote of the mayors of the incorporated municipalities of Lafayette
Parish other than the city of Lafayette.
(2)Two members, one of whom shall be nominated by the Greater Lafayette Chamber of
Commerce, shall be appointed by the mayor of the city of Lafayette. The mayor of the city
of Lafayette may serve as one of the appointments.
(3)Two members, one of whom shall be a black citizen, shall be appointed by the Lafayette City
Council.
(4)Two members, one of whom shall be nominated by the Central Labor Council of Lafayette,
shall be appointed by the Lafayette Parish president. The parish president may serve as one
of the appointments.
(5)Two members, one of whom shall be a black citizen, shall be appointed by the Lafayette
Parish Council.
(6)Two members shall be appointed by the president of the University of Southwestern
Louisiana. The president may serve as one of the appointments.
Proposed law makes technical changes to the list of board members and revises the nomination and
appointment of board members as follows: (1)Two members, one of whom shall be nominated by the Lafayette Parish Farm Bureau, shall
be appointed by a majority vote of the mayors of the incorporated municipalities of Lafayette
Parish other than the city of Lafayette.
(2)Two members shall be appointed by the Lafayette Mayor-President. The Lafayette Mayor-
President may serve as one of the appointments.
(3)Two members, one of whom shall be a racial minority, shall be appointed by the Lafayette
City Council.
(4)Two members, one of whom shall be a racial minority, shall be appointed by the Lafayette
Parish Council.
(5)One member shall be appointed by the president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The president may serve as the appointment.
(6)One member shall be appointed by the chancellor of South Louisiana Community College.
The chancellor may serve as the appointment.
(7)One member shall be appointed jointly by the members of the Louisiana House of
Representatives who represent a district in which the majority of the population of their
district resides in Lafayette Parish.
(8)One member shall be appointed jointly by the members of the Louisiana Senate who
represent a district in which the majority of the population of their district resides in
Lafayette Parish.
The effective date of such board appointments is March 1, 2020.
Present law provides for the Lafayette Parish Council to have oversight responsibility for the
Lafayette Economic Development Authority and to utilize such powers as are necessary to exercise
such oversight responsibility.
Present law requires the board to make an annual report to the parish of Lafayette about the number
of arrivals and departures of vessels and their tonnage along with the exports and imports passing
through the port district.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 34:292(B)(1); adds R.S. 34:291(B)(3); repeals R.S. 34:291.1 and 295)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Senate Floor Amendments engrossed bill
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Revises the nomination and appointment of members of the board of commissioners
and provides for the effective date of such appointments to be March 1, 2020.
3. Adds three members to the board of commissioners.
4. Deletes the two members nominated by the Central Labor Council of Lafayette and
appointed by the Lafayette Parish president.