Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not signed
by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature by the
governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If vetoed by the
governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on the day
following such approval.
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 613 Original 2025 Regular Session Beaullieu
Abstract: Creates the Acadiana Regional Airport and the Lemaire Memorial Airport District in
Iberia Parish.
Proposed law creates the Acadiana Regional Airport and Lemaire Memorial Airport District.
Proposed law specifies that the domicile of the district is New Iberia Parish. Further, authorizes the
board of commissioners to move the domicile to any place located within the boundaries of the
district, or may be the seat of any political subdivision a portion of which is included within the
boundaries of the district.
Proposed law specifies that the boundaries of the district are coterminous with the boundaries of
New Iberia Parish, consisting of Acadiana Regional Airport and LeMaire Memorial Airport.
Proposed law requires the district maintain suitable offices in New Iberia Parish.
Proposed law sets the composition of a board at seven members and requires they be citizens of the
U.S. Establishes appointments as follows:
(1)Two members appointed by a majority vote of the Iberia Parish Council.
(2) Two members appointed by a majority vote of the New Iberia City Council.
(3)One member appointed by a majority vote of the Jeanerette Board of Alderman.
(4)One member appointed by a majority vote of the Iberia Parish Airport District.
Proposed law requires members have experience in aviation, business, accounting, finance,
marketing, engineering, law, real estate, economic development, management or another field of
value to operation of the airport. Further, prohibits a full-time employee of local government from
being eligible for appointment to the board.
Proposed law specifies that the current Iberia Parish Airport board members will serve as the district board members for the remainder of their current terms. Additionally, requires that upon expiration
of terms, successors are to be appointed, and may serve up to three additional terms of five years.
Further, specifies that New Iberia Parish board members appointed pursuant to proposed law and
may reappoint themselves but cannot serve more than three consecutive terms.
Proposed law specifies that service by a board member for four or more years of a term must be a
five year term for determining the number of terms.
Proposed law specifies that any vacancy in the membership of the board to be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment and for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Proposed law specifies that any member of the board may be removed for cause upon the
recommendation of a majority of the board.
Proposed law requires the board elect from among its own members a chairperson, a vice
chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. Authorizes the offices of secretary and treasurer to be held
by one person.
Proposed law requires the board must meet in regular session once each month and also meet in
special session as often as the chairperson convenes the board or on the written request of three
members. Additionally, specifies that a quorum is three members of the board present at a meeting.
Further, requires that a simply majority vote to pass an agenda item.
Proposed law specifies the board members serve without compensation.
Proposed law requires the board to prescribe rules to govern its meetings, and allows the chairperson
to vote.
Proposed law specifies that the district is a public corporation and has all powers of public
corporations including the right and power to incur debt and contract obligations, to sue and be sued,
to have a corporate seal, and to perform in its corporate capacity and in its corporate name all acts
necessary and proper for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, maintaining, and operating airports
and airport facilities, including both movable and immovable property within its jurisdiction.
Proposed law grants the district all authority as provided in present law and upon the "approval date"
which is defined as the date on which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues a certificate
to the district, conferring operational jurisdiction over the airport under present law, the board will
acquire the following powers:
(1) Accessibility to the FAA's approval of the assignment of existing grant agreements to the
District, in the case of an uncertified report, the date specified in the agreement under which
the airport is to be transferred to district.
(2)Enter into contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties
and execution of its powers under proposed law, with a department or agency of the U.S., with a state or local governmental agency, or with another person, public or private, with
terms and conditions acceptable to the district.
(3)Exercise exclusive responsibility to study and plan any improvements, expansion, or
enhancements that affect the airport and commission planning, engineering, economic, and
other studies to provide information for making decisions about the location, design,
management, and other features of the airport or airport facilities.
(4)Exercise responsibility for developing all aspects of the airport and airport facilities,
including, but not limited to, all the location of terminals, hangars, aids to air navigation,
parking lots and structures, cargo facilities, and all other facilities and services necessary to
serve passengers and other customers of the airport.
(5)Obtain street and highway access and egress with the objective of minimizing, to the extent
practicable, traffic congestion on access routes in the vicinity of the airport.
(6)Participate in demonstration programs and economic development that directly benefits the
district.
(7)Act as a sponsor and submit requests for, accept, and be responsible to perform all of the
assurance associated with accepting grants from the FAA, or another agency of the U.S. or
of this state, with respect to the airports under the operational jurisdiction of the district, and
perform the duties and responsibilities previously assumed by the local government by virtue
of its acceptance of grants from the FAA or another agency of the United States or this state.
Requires the district to serve as the agent of the local government for the preparation,
submission, execution, and administration of any state or federal grants pending on the
effective date of proposed law.
Proposed law requires the district to submit an annual financial report disclosing all receipts and
disbursements to the Iberia Parish Council, within 120 days following the end of each calendar year.
Proposed law specifies the district has the additional power to do the following:
(1)Acquire, and assume the exclusive right, responsibility, and authority to occupy, operate,
control, and use, the airports and the airport facilities owned by the local government on that
date, or under the jurisdiction of the Iberia Parish Airport Authority subject only to any
restrictions imposed by present law.
(2)Exclusive rights and authority to occupy, operate, control, and use the district facilities.
(3)Acquire the operational jurisdiction over all real property of the district, including, but not
limited to, terminals, runways, taxiways, aprons, hangars, aids to air navigation, vehicles or
facilities, parking facilities for passengers and employees, and all buildings and facilities
used to operate, maintain, and manage the district, including governmental, industrial,
commercial and agricultural within the geographical area of the airports property, subject to any liens on the real property and restrictions and limitations on the use of real property.
(4)Assume the local government's right, title, and interest in, and to all of the local government's
responsibilities arising under, leases, concessions, and other contracts for the district
facilities.
(5)Assume all financial obligations secured by revenues and fees generated from the operations
of the district, including, but not limited to, airports revenue bonds, special facilities revenue
bonds, and all bonded indebtedness associated with the district.
(6)Assume ownership of all cash balances and investments relating to or resulting from
operations of the district for which operational jurisdiction has been transferred to the
district, all money held under an ordinance, resolution, or indenture related to or securing
obligations of the local government that have been assumed by the district, all of the accounts
receivable or actions arising from operations of the district, and all benefits of contracts and
agreements.
(7)Assume ownership of all vehicles, office equipment, furniture and furnishings, and movable
assets, including, but not limited to, computers, records and files, software licenses required
for financial management, personnel management, accounting and inventory systems, and
general administration.
Proposed law requires local government comply with all of the following:
(1)Refrain from any action that would impair the district's exercise of the powers granted to the
district under this chapter or that could cause the district to violate its rate or bond
covenants.
(2)Refrain from any action to sell, transfer, or otherwise encumber or dispose of airport facilities
owned by the local government without the consent of the district and, if necessary, the FAA.
(3)Take all action reasonably necessary to cure any defects in title to airport facilities transferred
to the district.
Effective upon signature of he governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 2:350.1- 350.6)