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 651 Original 2025 Regular Session Young
Abstract: Creates Claiborne Parish Airport District No. 31.
Proposed law creates the Claiborne Parish Airport District No. 31.
Proposed law specifies that the domicile of the district is in Claiborne 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 control and management of the district be vested in a board of
commissioners composed of five members as follows:
(1)Two members appointed by the state representative of House District No. 11.
(2)One member appointed by the state senator from Senate District No. 33.
(3)One member appointed by the mayor of Homer, or his designee.
(4)One member appointed by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.
Proposed law specifies that the commissioners serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
Proposed law allows commissioners to receive a per diem of $75 for each meeting, not to exceed
24 meetings in one calender year, as funds are appropriated by the governing authority of
Claiborne Parish or as otherwise made available for such purpose.
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 the 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 locations 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 airport 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 U.S. 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 the effective date of proposed law.
Proposed law requires the district to submit an annual financial report disclosing all receipts and
disbursements to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, 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 Claiborne Parish Police Jury 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, airport revenue bonds, special
facilities revenue bonds, and all bonded indebtedness associated with the airport.
(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 proposed law 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 governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 2:350.1- 350.6)