RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 180 (SB 30) 2019 Regular Session Ward
Prior law created the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission composed of 15 members.
New law changes the total number of members on the commission from 15 to 17, and adds
two commissioners appointed by the governor from a panel of six names submitted by the
legislative delegation of the parish of Pointe Coupee.
Prior law provides that the commission shall exercise its powers within the port area
consisting of the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Ascension.
New law adds the parish of Pointe Coupee to the port area.
Prior law authorized the commission, with approval from the State Bond Commission, to
incur debt for its lawful purposes and to issue in its name, negotiable bonds or notes, and to
pledge the revenues derived from the operation of properties and facilities maintained and
operated by it, or received by it from other sources, for the payment of such negotiable bonds
and notes, provided that the amount of such bonds and notes outstanding at any one time
shall not exceed $100 million dollars. Authorized bonds constitute, first, a general obligation
of the commission, and second, the full faith and credit of the parishes of East Baton Rouge,
West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Ascension.
New law pledges the full faith and credit of the parish of Pointe Coupee irrevocably on
parity with the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Ascension
to the commission's presently outstanding bonds, notes, and obligations, as well as to all
bonds, notes, and obligations hereafter authorized, sold, and incurred by the commission.
New law provides that all existing assets, debts, obligations, and contracts of the Pointe
Coupee Port, Harbor and Terminal District, and the Pointe Coupee Port Commission are
given full force and effect and are transferred to the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission
and the Port of Greater Baton Rouge on January 1, 2020.
New law abolishes the Pointe Coupee Port, Harbor and Terminal District and the Pointe
Coupee Port Commission and terminates the terms of the members of the Pointe Coupee
Port Commission in office on or after twelve o'clock noon April 8, 2019, on December 31,
2019.
New law provides that if future legislation is filed, and passed, such that the parish of Pointe
Coupee, is removed from the jurisdiction of the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission, any
and all assets, liabilities, and contracts conveyed by new law is to be transferred to the parish
of Pointe Coupee’s governing authority. Provides that if assets conveyed by new law
conveyed to the parish of Pointe Coupee’s governing authority, then requires that the Port
of Greater Baton Rouge be reimbursed and compensated for the enhanced value of the
property which resulted from its efforts since the assets were conveyed to the Greater Baton
Rouge Port Commission. Provides that if the parish of Pointe Coupee is removed from the
jurisdiction of the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission, the two appointees created by
new law shall cease to exist and shall no longer serve as members of the Greater Baton
Rouge Port Commission.
Effective January 1, 2020.
(Amends R.S. 34:1221(A), 1223(A), and 1224(A); repeals R.S. 34:2451-2458)