RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 336 (HB 469) 2022 Regular Session Travis Johnson
New law creates the Delta Bike Trail Commission as a political subdivision of the state with
power and functions as set forth in new law.
New law requires the commission be domiciled in Concordia, Tensas, Madison, and East
Carroll parishes, with its headquarters in Vidalia, La.
New law provides that the commission is created for the purpose of overseeing the
development and upkeep of the Delta Bike Trail (trail), a bike and walking trail along and
on the Mississippi River in Northeast La. through the parishes of Concordia, Tensas,
Madison, and East Carroll.
New law authorizes the commission to do the following:
(1)Receive funding from the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD), the
Dept. of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, or any federal state funds or grants for the
development of the trail.
(2)Promote marathons and nature-based, recreational, scenic, cultural, historic, and
other forms of tourism.
(3)Improve transportation and communication facilities and access within the trail area.
(4)Further develop family-oriented recreational facilities along the trail area.
(5)Promote and market the region through a variety of communications media including
maps, guides, tapes, videos, advertisement, signage, and electronic media.
New law requires the commissioners serve four-year terms.
New law requires the commission consist of seven members designated and appointed by
each of the following:
(1)The lieutenant governor.
(2)The secretary of the DOTD.
(3)The state representative for District 21.
(4)The president of the Concordia Parish Police Jury.
(5)The president of the East Carroll Parish Police Jury.
(6)The president of the Tensas Parish Police Jury.
(7)The president of the Madison Parish Police Jury.
New law specifies that members of the commission will not receive any salary for the
performance of their duties as commissioners. Authorizes reimbursement of mileage
expenses incurred for attendance at meetings of the commission.
New law requires mileage allowance be fixed by the commission in an amount not to exceed
the mileage allowance authorized under state travel regulations at rates and standards as
promulgated by the division of administration subject to the availability of funds.
New law requires the members elect from among themselves a chair and other officers as
deemed necessary.
New law requires the commission meet not less than quarterly. Authorizes the commission
to hold such other meetings deemed necessary and called by the chairman or by a majority of the members. New law requires the members elect from among themselves a chair and
other officers as deemed necessary.
New law requires the commission adopt bylaws to govern its affairs and activities. Requires
the committee be subject to La. ethics law.
New law authorizes the commission to perform, procure from the DOTD, with the consent
of its secretary, or procure from outside service providers any service or portion of services
necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations of the commission.
New law requires the commission be subject to and comply with the public records law and
the open meetings law. Requires all proceedings and documents of the commission be
public records. Authorizes all reports, maps, or other technical documents produced in
whole or in part by a commission be utilized by the department or any other public agency
in any manner necessary and advisable in the conduct of its duties.
New law requires the parish planning and zoning departments of Concordia, Tensas,
Madison, and East Carroll parishes and all of their subcommittees serve in an advisory
capacity to the commission relative to any project or projects contemplated by or to be
undertaken by the commission.
New law provides the commission have the following duties and authority:
(1)To adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of the commission,
for the governance of its affairs, and for the conduct of its business.
(2)To adopt, use, and alter at will an official seal.
(3) To plan, construct, reconstruct, maintain, improve, operate, own, or lease projects
within the trail area in the manner determined by the commission and to pay any
project costs in connection therewith.
(4)To sue and be sued in its own name.
(5)To impose, revise, fees, and charges in connection with its projects sufficient to pay
all project costs, maintenance, operation, debt service, and reserve or replacement
costs, and other necessary or usual charges.
(6)To receive grants, donations, funds, or other resources from any source, including
proceeds from the sale of services.
(7)To acquire property, including rights-of-way; and hold and use any franchise or
property, immovable, movable, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest
therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the commission.
(8)To contract with any person, partnership, association, or corporation desiring the use
of any part of the trail or trail area, including the right-of-way adjoining the paved
portion, for placing thereon any of the following: telephone, fiber optic, telegraph,
electric light, or power lines, gas stations, garages, and restaurants, or for any other
purpose, and to fix the terms, conditions, rents, and rates of charges limited to no
more than the direct and actual cost of the commission in administering the
permitting process.
(9)To enter into contracts including those for purchase, construction, and improvement
of works and facilities necessary in connection with the planning and development
of the trail.
(10)To sell or lease property owned by it when such property is no longer needed for
public purposes.
(11)To appoint agents or employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.
(12)To provide matching grants for the restoration or improvement of private properties
located within the trail or trail area when such restoration or improvement is determined by the commission to be consistent with the master plan for the
development of the trail.
(13)To do all acts and perform things necessary or convenient to execute the powers
granted to the commission by law.
Effective August 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 25:1301-1306)