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 512 Original 2025 Regular Session Phelps
Abstract: Provides relative to criminal blighting.
Present law (R.S. 14:107.3) provides for the crime of criminal blighting.
Proposed law retains present law generally.
Present law (R.S. 14:107.3(A)(1)) defines the term "blighted property".
Proposed law amends present law to provide that "blighted property" shall include premises that are
occupied by tenants who have a right of possession, ownership, occupancy, or a lease interest, or by
adverse possessors.
Present law (R.S. 14:107.3(B)) provides that criminal blighting of property is the intentional or
criminally negligent permitting of the existence of a condition of deterioration of property by the
owner, which is deemed to have occurred when the property has been declared or certified as
blighted after an administrative hearing, pursuant to present law (R.S. 13:2575 or 2576).
Proposed law amends present law to include a representative or agent of the property owner or
anyone with custody, control, or ownership of the property as individuals who may be subject to
prosecution for criminal blighting.
Proposed law provides that a municipality that receives a complaint alleging a violation of present
law shall investigate such complaint as practicable. Further provides that if the complaint is found
to be credible, the municipality shall proceed with an administrative hearing pursuant to present law
(R.S. 13:2575 or 2576).
(Amends R.S. 14:107.3(A)(1) and (B); Adds R.S. 14:107.3(I))