Louisiana Senate Bill SB193

Louisiana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/23
• Refer: 3/31/23
• Refer: 4/10/23

Caption

Provides relative to the allocation of ad valorem tax assessed values of certain property. (gov sig) (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

Impact

The passage of SB193 will impact the tax revenue structure for East Baton Rouge Parish, establishing a systematic method for distributing property taxes collected from nonresident companies. The Louisiana Tax Commission will play a crucial role in determining the allocation of these taxes among parishes, with the intention of creating an equitable distribution. Furthermore, the bill allows East Baton Rouge Parish to retain a small percentage of the taxes collected to cover administrative costs, ensuring local governance has some financial flexibility.

Summary

Senate Bill 193, introduced by Senator Cathey, aims to modify the existing framework for the allocation of ad valorem tax assessments on certain public service properties in Louisiana. It particularly focuses on the treatment of properties owned by nonresident companies without a physical presence in the state. The bill maintains the current provisions, requiring the Louisiana Tax Commission to allocate property taxes based on specific criteria, but also introduces a requirement for East Baton Rouge Parish to remit collected taxes according to a defined formula based on company track miles within the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB193 seems to be cautiously optimistic among local lawmakers and representatives of East Baton Rouge Parish. Supporters believe it provides necessary clarity in tax allocation and could improve revenue management for local parishes. However, there may be concerns among those in the broader community about maintaining fair tax practices for local companies as well, particularly if nonresident companies receive favorable treatment that could affect local business competitiveness.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential disparities created by the bill for local versus nonresident companies. Critics may argue that the bill needs to clearly define the criteria for assessing properties owned by nonresident companies and ensure that local entities do not suffer financially. Additionally, there could be discussions about the broader implications this bill might have on public services funded by property taxes, especially in light of how these changes could influence the distribution of resources across different parishes.