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2019 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 201
BY SENATOR MIZELL
LOCAL AGENCIES. Repeals the Washington Parish Reservoir District and directs the
transfer of any remaining property and excess funds to the Department of Culture,
Recreation and Tourism in support of the Bogue Chitto State Park. (See Act)
1 AN ACT
2 To repeal R.S. 36:509(S) and Part XXVI of Chapter 13 of Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised
3 Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 38:3087.191 through 3087.206, relative to the
4 Washington Parish Reservoir District; to repeal references to, provisions for, and the
5 powers, functions, and duties of the district and its board of commissioners; to
6 provide for use of property and funds; to provide for an effective date; and to provide
7 for related matters.
8 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 36:509(S) is hereby repealed.
11 Section 2. Part XXVI of Chapter 13 of Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes
12 of 1950, comprised of R.S. 38:3087.191 through 3087.206 is hereby repealed in its
13 entirety.
14 Section 3. Prior to September 1, 2019, the board of commissioners shall take all
15 appropriate action to collect any funds due and owing to the district and to pay or
16 satisfy any outstanding obligations and liabilities of the district. All of the equipment,
17 vehicles, supplies, books, records, documents, papers, monies, actions, or any other
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 201
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1 item of property, and the improvements thereon, both movable and immovable,
2 heretofore owned, held, used, operated, or maintained by the district in the exercise of
3 its functions shall be transferred to the Department of Culture, Recreation and
4 Tourism. Any monies transferred to the Department of Culture, Recreation and
5 Tourism shall be deposited into the Louisiana State Parks Improvement and Repair
6 Fund to be used, subject to legislative appropriation, for the Bogue Chitto State Park
7 for expanding recreation.
8 Section 4. The Secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
9 shall conduct a town hall meeting no later than August 1, 2020, in Washington Parish
10 with the legislative delegation for Washington Parish to determine what are the best
11 options for expansion of recreation for Washington Parish at Bogue Chitto State Park.
12 Section 5. The provisions of this Act shall supersede any other provisions of law to
13 the contrary. The provisions of this Act shall be liberally construed to effectuate these
14 purposes.
15 Section 6. Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall become effective on September 1, 2019.
16 Sections 3 through 6 of this Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or,
17 if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without
18 signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of
19 Louisiana. If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act
20 shall become effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument was prepared by Michael Bell. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Martha Hess.
DIGEST
SB 201 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Mizell
Present law establishes the Washington Parish Reservoir District. Provides that the district
shall be a political subdivision of the state and shall be comprised of the area of Washington
Parish.
Present law provides that the district's purpose is to develop the wealth and natural resources
of the district by conserving soil and water for agricultural, recreational, commercial,
industrial, and sanitary purposes. Provides that the district shall create and maintain lakes
and reservoirs and engage in economic development.
Present law provides that the district shall constitute a body corporate and shall have the
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authority to sue and be sued, buy and sell, levy taxes, negotiate and execute contracts, and
incur debt and issue negotiable bonds.
Present law provides that the district shall be exempt from taxation. Authorizes the district
to cooperate and contract with the federal or state government or any department or agency
for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities.
Present law provides that the district is governed by a board of 11 commissioners, appointed
by the governor subject to Senate confirmation, who shall be qualified electors of the state
residing within Washington Parish.
Present law prohibits any person or corporation from erecting any dam or reservoir upon any
watercourse which will affect the district without the approval of the board of
commissioners. Provides for penalties of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or
imprisonment for not more than 60 days, or both.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Proposed law provides that prior to September 1, 2019, the board of commissioners shall
take all appropriate actions to collect any funds due and owing to the district and to pay or
satisfy any obligations and liabilities of the district. Further provides that all property,
immovable or movable, shall be transferred to the Department of Culture, Recreation and
Tourism. Any monies transferred to the Department shall be deposited into the Louisiana
State Parks Improvement and Repair Fund to be used, subject to legislative appropriation,
for the Bogue Chitto State Park for expanding recreation.
Proposed law provides that the Secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and
Tourism conduct a town hall meeting no later than August 1, 2020, in Washington Parish
with the legislative delegation for Washington Parish to determine what are the best options
for expansion of recreation for Washington Parish at Bogue Chitto State Park.
Provisions requiring transfer of property to the Department of Culture, Recreation and
Tourism effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
Repeal of the Washington Parish Reservoir District effective September 1, 2019.
(Repeals R.S. 36:509(S) and R.S. 38:3087.191-3087.206)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the original
bill
1. Requires the District to collect any funds due to the District and to pay any
obligations owing to the District prior to September 1, 2019.
2. Provides that the District will transfer any remaining property to the
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
3. Provides that any monies transferred to the Department shall be deposited
into the Louisiana State Parks Improvement and Repair Fund to be used,
subject to legislative appropriation, for the Bogue Chitto State Park for
expanding recreation.
4. Changes effective date.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.