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 55 Original 2025 Regular Session Davis
Abstract: Creates the Cross Gates Subdivision Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement
District in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Proposed law creates the Cross Gates Subdivision Crime Prevention and Neighborhood
Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish as a political subdivision of the state for the
purpose of aiding in crime prevention by providing for an increase in security patrols in the district
and providing for the overall betterment of the district. Provides for district boundaries. Provides
that the district will be governed by a five-member board of commissioners composed as follows:
(1)Four members appointed by the board of directors of the Cross Gates Homeowners
Association.
(2)One member appointed jointly by the member of the La. House of Representatives and La.
Senate whose districts encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
Requires board members to own property and reside in the district and to be qualified voters of the
district.
Proposed law provides for the district's powers and duties including the following:
(1)To sue and be sued.
(2)To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
(3)To receive and expend funds from an authorized parcel fee and in accordance with an
adopted budget.
(4)To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public.
(5)To provide or enhance security patrols in the district, to provide for improved lighting,
signage, or matters relating to the security of the district.
(6)To enter into contracts and agreements with one or more other districts for the joint security,
improvement, or betterment of all participating districts.
Proposed law authorizes the board, subject to voter approval, to impose a parcel fee on each improved and unimproved parcel within the district, not to exceed $400 per parcel per year. Provides
however, that the initial fee for the first calendar year shall not exceed $150 per parcel. Authorizes
the board to change the fee amount, not to exceed the maximum. Provides that the fee expires at the
time provided in the proposition authorizing the fee, not to exceed ten years. Authorizes renewal
of the fee for a term provided in the proposition, not to exceed ten years. Defines "parcel" to mean
a lot, a subdivided portion of ground, an individual tract, or a "condominium parcel".
Proposed law provides that the fee shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as ad
valorem taxes and that any unpaid fee shall be added to the parish tax rolls and enforced with the
same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad valorem taxes.
Requires the tax collector to remit to the district all amounts collected not more than 60 days after
collection and authorizes the district to enter into an agreement with the tax collector to authorize
the retention of a collection fee, not to exceed 1% of the amount collected.
Proposed law requires the district's board to adopt an annual budget in accordance with the La. Local
Government Budget Act and provides that the district shall be subject to audit by the legislative
auditor.
Proposed law provides that it is the purpose and intent of proposed law that the additional law
enforcement personnel and their services provided for through the fees authorized by proposed law
shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, personnel and services provided in the district by
publicly funded law enforcement agencies.
Proposed law provides that if the district ceases to exist, all district funds and property shall be
transmitted to the parish of East Baton Rouge and used to promote and enhance the security and
overall betterment of the area included in the district.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.42)