Louisiana 2024 2024 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SB365 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by James Benton.
DIGEST
SB 365 Original	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 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.
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, residents, and businesses within the district.
Present law provides that the board of commissioners shall adopt an annual budget in accordance
with present law.
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.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 25:799(A)(2)(a) and (J)(1); adds R.S. 25:799(G)(16) and (17), and (K)(1)(c))