The original instrument was prepared by Emily Toler. The following digest, which
does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by James
Benton.
DIGEST
SB 305 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Harris
Present law provides that the public water system, the public sewerage system, and the public
drainage system of the city of New Orleans shall be constructed, controlled, maintained, and
operated by a sewerage and water board to be composed as follows:
(1)The mayor.
(2)The chair of the Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee of the New Orleans
city council, a member of the committee appointed by the chair, or a civil engineer appointed
by the chair. Any member appointed by the chair shall serve at the pleasure of the chair.
(3)Two syndicate members of the board of liquidation, city debt, to be appointed by the mayor
on the recommendation of the board of liquidation, city debt.
(4)Seven citizens, to be appointed by the mayor, with the advice and consent of the city council
from a list of nominees submitted by the Sewerage and Water Board Selection Committee.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that one of the appointees may be the chair of the
Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee of the New Orleans city council, or an
appointment selected by the council president with a background in engineering, law or consumer
advocacy selected with the advice and consent of the city council.
Proposed law provides that at the beginning of every year, the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness shall meet with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans executive director and
his team to develop a coordinated flood prevention plan. The purpose of the meeting shall be to
identify areas that need to be addressed in order to allow for proper drainage. The plan shall be
presented to the Secretary of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and
members of the New Orleans Delegation and the city of New Orleans.
Proposed law provides that the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans shall be responsible for
all drainage operations in the city of New Orleans. The city of New Orleans shall transfer all
employees and equipment used for drainage maintenance to the New Orleans Sewerage and Water
Board.
Proposed law provides that the city of New Orleans shall allocate on an annual basis to the New
Orleans Sewerage and Water Board the same level of funding the New Orleans Department of Public
Works utilized in fiscal year 2023 for drainage operations. Further provides that any other increases in funding by the city of New Orleans to the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board shall be
subject to New Orleans City Council approval.
Proposed law provides that the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the city of New
Orleans, and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans shall work together to develop a city
wide resilience plan. The city of New Orleans, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and
the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority shall sign a collective bargaining agreement to
assist in the coordination of the city of New Orleans award of one hundred forty-one million and
three hundred thousand dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
National Disaster Resilience Grant.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 33:4071; adds R.S. 33:4071.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs to
the original bill
1. Provides for a change in the appointment by the New Orleans city council.
2. Provides that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the
Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness shall meet
with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans executive director and his team
to develop a coordinated flood prevention plan.
3. Designates the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans as the entity responsible
for all drainage operations in the city of New Orleans.
4. Provide for the creation of a resiliency plan between the Coastal Protection and
Restoration Authority, the city of New Orleans, and the Sewerage and Water Board
of New Orleans.