RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 106 (HB 151) 2022 Regular Session Edmonds
New law creates the Old Jefferson Crime Prevention and Improvement District in East Baton
Rouge Parish for the purpose of aiding in crime prevention and providing for the overall
betterment of the district. Provides for district boundaries. New law provides that the
district shall be governed by a seven-member board of commissioners composed as follows:
(1)Four members appointed by the Old Jefferson Neighborhood Assoc.
(2)One member appointed by the member of the La. House of Representatives whose
district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
(3)One member appointed by the member of the La. Senate whose district encompasses
all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
(4)One member appointed by the assessor of East Baton Rouge Parish.
Requires board members to own property and reside in the district and to be qualified voters
of the district.
New law provides for the district's powers and duties.
New law authorizes the governing authority of the district, subject to voter approval, to
impose and collect a parcel fee on each improved and unimproved parcel within the district
not to exceed $150 per parcel per year, which amount shall be as provided in a duly adopted
board resolution. Provides, however, that the initial fee for the first calendar year shall not
exceed $100 per parcel. Authorizes the board to increase the fee one time during each
calendar year not to exceed 5% of the amount of the fee imposed during the previous
calendar year. New law provides that an owner who qualifies for the special assessment
pursuant to present constitution (Art. 7, Sec. 18(G)(1)) shall be charged 50% of the amount
charged to other owners.
New law provides that the fee and the board's authority to increase the fee expires in 10
years, but authorizes renewal of the fee and the board's authority to increase the fee for a term
not to exceed 10 years. Defines "parcel" as a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, or an
individual tract within the boundaries of the district which is listed on the tax rolls for
assessment of property taxes.
New law provides that the fee shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as
ad valorem taxes and that any unpaid fee shall be added to the parish tax rolls and enforced
with the same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad
valorem taxes. Requires the tax collector to remit to the district all amounts collected not
more than 60 days after collection and authorizes the district to enter into an agreement with
the tax collector to authorize the retention of a collection fee, not to exceed 1% of the amount
collected.
New law requires the district's board to adopt an annual budget in accordance with the La.
Local Government Budget Act and provides that the district shall be subject to audit by the
legislative auditor.
New law provides that if the district ceases to exist, all district funds and property shall be
transmitted to the governing authority of the municipality in which district is located if the
district was in an incorporated area or to East Baton Rouge Parish if the district was not in
an incorporated area and used to enhance security and provide for the overall betterment of
the area included within the district.
Effective upon signature of governor (May 25, 2022).
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.35)