The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SB 213 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Hewitt
Present law prohibits riverboat gaming activities being conducted upon a riverboat berthed or docked
at a facility on that portion of Lake Pontchartrain or any waterway connected thereto located within
St. Tammany Parish.
Proposed law adds an exception to present law to provide that if both the Louisiana Gaming Control
Board approves and a majority of the electors in St. Tammany Parish vote to approve a ballot
proposition authorizing such, riverboat gaming may be conducted in accordance with the Louisiana
Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act on that portion of Lake Pontchartrain
or any waterway connected thereto located in St. Tammany Parish at the location specified in the
ballot proposition.
Proposed law calls a referendum election in St. Tammany Parish to be held at the election scheduled
for October 9, 2021, or on a succeeding appropriate date selected by the parish governing authority.
Proposed law provides for the proposition on the ballot to read: "Shall gaming operations and
activities authorized by the Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act
be authorized in St. Tammany Parish at a site along those certain waterways in St. Tammany Parish
along portions of Lake Pontchartrain that are part of the Lakeshore Marina located south and east
of Interstate 10, Exit 261, and shall (Name of licensee approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control
Board) or successors and assigns be authorized to relocate from its current location to the location
in St. Tammany Parish described above, and to thereon develop a gaming, hotel, and resort operation
all in accordance with the Louisiana Gaming Control Law, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board,
the Louisiana Election Code, and other relevant constitutional and statutory authority?"
Proposed law provides that if the board approves the new berth or docking facility and a majority
of the voters vote in favor of the proposition, the licensee may relocate operations to the approved
berth or docking facility in St. Tammany Parish on that portion of Lake Pontchartrain, specifically
the waterways that are a part of the Lakeshore Marina located south and east of Interstate 10, Exit
261.
Proposed law provides that the licensee shall remain subject to the regulatory authority of the board
and present law.
Proposed law requires the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish to insert the name of the
licensee in the ballot language provided for in proposed law, if the La. Gaming Control Board
authorizes a riverboat gaming licensee to conduct riverboat gaming operations or activities at the
location in St. Tammany Parish as provided for in proposed law. Proposed law requires the election to be conducted pursuant to the La. Election Code, including the
provisions providing for the responsibility of the parish governing authority to provide notice to the
public.
Present law authorizes the conducting of gaming activities on a riverboat while on designated rivers
or waterways.
Proposed law adds the portion of Lake Pontchartrain, specifically the waterways that are a part of
the Lakeshore Marina located south and east of Interstate 10, Exit 261 in St. Tammany Parish to the
designated rivers and waterways upon which gaming activities may be conducted and otherwise
retains present law.
Present law provides that the addition of a designated river or waterway is contingent upon approval
of the voters in a referendum election held in any parish which borders the proposed river's or
waterway's banks.
Proposed law retains present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:1300.21(I) and R.S. 27:43(B)(1) and 93(A)(1); adds R.S. 18:1300.25)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Adds notice provision that the intent to introduce the bill was locally published.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Removes the name of the licensee from the ballot language.
4. Adds provision in ballot language to include successors and assigns.
5. Requires the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish to insert the name of the
licensee in the ballot language if the Louisiana Gaming Control Board authorizes a
riverboat gaming licensee to conduct riverboat gaming operations or activities at a
certain location in St. Tammany Parish.