DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 273 Original 2023 Regular Session Farnum
Abstract: Provides for the expropriation of property in Lake Charles and Sulphur by the
Consolidated Gravity Drainage Districts of Calcasieu Parish.
Present law (R.S. 19:134) provides for the expropriation of property by a declaration of taking by
Calcasieu Parish and the city of Lake Charles.
Present law defines "governing authority" to include Calcasieu Parish and the city of Lake Charles.
Proposed law expands present law to include the city of Sulphur.
Present law (R.S. 19:134.1) provides for the authority of Calcasieu Parish and the city of Lake
Charles to expropriate property for street, drainage, water, utility, or sewerage projects prior to
judgment.
Proposed law expands present law to include the city of Sulphur and the Consolidated Gravity
Drainage Districts of Calcasieu Parish.
Proposed law provides that the Consolidated Gravity Drainage Districts of Calcasieu Parish may
only utilize proposed law if expressly authorized for a particular project by the governing authority
of Calcasieu Parish or the governing authority of a city where a property is located entirely within
that city.
Proposed law provides that any references to the director of public works within proposed law shall
be an employee designated by the governing authority for this purpose. Proposed law further
provides that any references to a city or parish engineer shall mean a the professional engineer
designated by the governing authority for this purpose.
(Amends the heading of Part III-E of Title 19 of the La. Revised Statutes of 1950 and R.S. 19:134
and 134.1)