Louisiana Senate Bill SB185

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/20
• Refer: 2/26/20
• Refer: 3/9/20

Caption

Provides relative to projects participating in both the federal Opportunity Zones and Restoration Abatement programs. (gov sig)

Impact

The bill's implementation could lead to significant changes in state law regarding property tax abatement for developers. By unifying state and federal criteria for projects in Opportunity Zones, it is expected that more developers will take advantage of the restoration tax abatement program. This could result in an influx of investment in areas that are currently struggling economically, addressing issues such as infrastructure degradation and unemployment within those communities.

Summary

Senate Bill 185 aims to amend the existing restoration tax abatement program in the state of Louisiana by incorporating the federal Opportunity Zones program. It establishes a requirement for developers seeking property tax abatements in federally designated Opportunity Zones to adhere to both the state program rules and the federal regulations set forth in 26 U.S.C. 1400Z-1 and 1400Z-2. This alignment seeks to promote economic development by incentivizing investment in underutilized properties in areas designated as Opportunity Zones, which are intended to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 185 appears generally positive among supporters, who view the bill as a crucial step towards enhancing economic development efforts within the state. Legislative discussions highlight a consensus on the importance of incentivizing investment in underused properties. However, there may be lingering concerns regarding the potential implications for local governance and the oversight of development projects, particularly regarding community needs and priorities.

Contention

While the overall intent of the bill is to spur economic development, some points of contention may arise regarding how closely state abatement rules will align with federal requirements and whether this could lead to complications in implementation. Critics may also express concern over whether the expanded incentives could lead to gentrification or displacement in neighborhoods being targeted for investment, raising the question of how such developments will balance economic goals with community impact.