Louisiana 2024 2024 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SB365 Engrossed / Bill

                    SLS 24RS-432	REENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 365
BY SENATOR HARRIS 
SPECIAL DISTRICTS. Provides for the French Quarter Management District. (gov sig)
1	AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 25:799(A)(2)(a), (I)(4) and (J)(1) and to enact R.S. 25:799(E)(4),
3 (G)(16) and (17), and (K)(1)(c) and (3), relative to the French Quarter Management
4 District in Orleans Parish; to provide relative to the purpose, powers, and governance
5 of the district; to provide with respect to the functions of the district; to provide for
6 an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
7	Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 25:799(A)(2)(a), (I)(4), and (J)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted
10 and R.S. 25:799(E)(4), (G)(16) and (17), and (K)(1)(c) and (3) are hereby enacted to read
11 as follows:
12 ยง799. Creation of the French Quarter Management District
13	A.	*          *          *
14	(2) The district is created to provide the following functions:
15	(a) Enhancing public safety, reducing homelessness, infrastructure
16 improvements, and sanitation within the district by financing supplemental safety
17 and sanitation services as the board deems appropriate.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 365
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1	*          *          *
2	E.(1) *          *          *
3	(4) Any additional security patrols, public or private, or any other
4 security or other services or betterments provided by the district shall be
5 supplemental to existing personnel and services to be provided in the district by
6 the state or the city of New Orleans or their departments or agencies, or by
7 other political subdivisions.
8	*          *          *
9	G. Specifically included, though not limited hereby, under the purposes,
10 objects, and powers of the district are the following within the district:
11	*          *          *
12	(16) Enhancing and providing dedicated public safety, reducing
13 homelessness, infrastructure enhancement, and sanitation within the district by
14 financing supplemental safety and sanitation services.
15	(17) Providing supplemental resources for the enforcement of laws and
16 regulations that relate to the quality of life for tourists and visitors within the
17 district.
18	*          *          *
19	I. Subdistricts. The district shall consist of four subdistricts: the Vieux Carre,
20 the Iberville Corridor, the Treme, and the Faubourg Marigny.
21	*          *          *
22	(4) The Faubourg Marigny subdistrict shall be comprised of the area of the
23 district lying within the following boundaries: the Mississippi River, the center line
24 of Esplanade Avenue, the center line of North Rampart Street, the rear property line
25 of the properties fronting on the down river side of Esplanade Avenue to the
26 Mississippi River., the Frenchmen Street corridor beginning with the
27 intersection at the center line of Esplanade Avenue and ending at Royal Street,
28 comprising the 400 block through 600 block of Frenchmen Street.
29	J. Budget. (1) The board of commissioners shall adopt an annual budget in
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1 accordance with the Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301. Fifteen percent
2 of the annual budget shall be dedicated to public safety, reducing homelessness,
3 and infrastructure enhancements.
4	*          *          *
5	K. Miscellaneous. (1) To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the
6 district may:
7	*          *          *
8	(c) Utilize the city of New Orleans, as well as contract with other entities,
9 for purposes of procuring services for the district.
10	*          *          *
11	(3) The district may procure by informal bid a public work with a value
12 of one hundred fifty thousand dollars or less.
13 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
14 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
15 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
16 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
17 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by James Benton.
DIGEST
SB 365 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session	Harris
Present law created the French Quarter Historic Management District. Provides that the
district shall be a body politic and corporate and a political subdivision of the state.
Present law provides that the district is created to provide the following functions:
(1)Enhance public safety and sanitation within the district by financing supplemental
safety and sanitation services.
(2)Provide supplemental resources for the enforcement of laws and regulations that
relate to the quality of life for tourists, residents, and businesses within the district.
(3)Engage in strategic planning, business and commercial development activities,
administering capital improvement funds, and administering programs.
(4)Take such actions as may be advisable to enhance commercial, civic, and cultural
activity within the district, to promote and aid in the conservation and preservation
of the district's quaint historic nature, character, qualities, and architecture, to foster
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quality events and quality of life in the district, to restore regional character to the
district, to attract locals and tourists to visit the district, to facilitate and promote the
development and improvement of public infrastructure within the district, and to
encourage new residents to live in the district.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the reduction of homelessness and infrastructure
improvements to the functions of the district.
Proposed law provides that any additional security patrols, public or private, or any other
security or other services or betterments provided by the district shall be supplemental to
existing personnel and services to be provided in the district by the state or the city of New
Orleans or their departments or agencies, or by other political subdivisions.
Present law provides for the following purposes, objects, and powers of the district:
(1)Creating and maintaining public restroom facilities.
(2)Beautifying the district, improving its streetscapes and the quality of its frontage, and
making cosmetic improvements within the district.
(3)Enhancing the district's walkability and pedestrian-friendly environment.
(4)Revitalizing and nurturing cultural and historical features, preservation, and cultural
tourism.
(5)Providing facade grants and incentives to utilize vacant buildings, upper floors, and
land.
(6)Addressing transportation concerns.
(7)Facilitating parking and mobility planning, strategies, and management.
(8)Improving commercial and residential vitality and developing and implementing
commercial planning, marketing, and recruiting strategies.
(9)Facilitating lighting and signage upgrades, repairs, and replacements.
(10)Aiding in the repair and upkeep of sidewalks, streets, and related infrastructure.
(11)Aiding in video camera installation and monitoring.
(12)Recruiting public amenities and services.
(13)Fostering visually stimulating and quality pedestrian experiences.
(14)Fostering regional and district character.
(15)Facilitating the removal and prevention of graffiti.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the following purposes, objects, and powers of
the district:
(1)Enhancing and providing dedicated public safety, reducing homelessness,
infrastructure enhancement and sanitation within the district by financing
supplemental safety and sanitation services.
(2)Providing supplemental resources for the enforcement of laws and regulations that
relate to the quality of life for tourists and visitors within the district.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 365
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Present law provides that the board of commissioners shall adopt an annual budget in
accordance with present law.
Present law provides that the district shall consist of four subdistricts: the Vieux Carre, the
Iberville Corridor, the Treme, and the Faubourg Marigny.
Proposed law retains present law but further provides that the Faubourg Marigny subdistrict
shall be comprised of the area of the district lying within the following boundaries: the
Mississippi River, the center line of Esplanade Avenue, the center line of North Rampart
Street, the rear property line of the properties fronting on the down river side of Esplanade
Avenue to the Mississippi River., the Frenchmen Street corridor beginning with the
intersection at the center line of Esplanade Avenue and ending at Royal Street, comprising
the 400 block through 600 block of Frenchmen Street."
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that 15% of the annual budget shall
be dedicated to public safety, reducing the homelessness and/or infrastructure enhancements.
Proposed law provides that the district may utilize the city of New Orleans, as well as
contract with other entities, for purposes of procuring services for the district.
Proposed law provides that the district may procure by informal bid a public work with a
value of $150,000 or less.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 25:799(A)(2)(a), (I)(4) and (J)(1); adds R.S. 25:799(E)(4), (G)(16) and (17),
and (K)(1)(c) and (3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal
Affairs to the original bill
1. Provides that any additional security patrols, public or private, or any other
security or other services or betterments provided by the district shall be
supplemental to existing personnel and services to be provided in the district
by the state or the city of New Orleans, or their departments or agencies, or
by other political subdivisions.
2. Provides that the district may procure by informal bid, a public work with a
value of $150,000 or less.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Provides that supplemental resources for the enforcement of laws and
regulations shall relate to the quality of life for tourists and visitors within the
district.
2. Provides for the boundaries of the Faubourg Marigny subdistrict.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.