Louisiana House Bill HB510

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/11
• Refer: 4/25/11

Caption

Provides relative to economic development authorities in certain parishes

Impact

If enacted, HB 510 would specifically allow selected economic development authorities to set fees and rental rates without needing approvals from higher levels of government. This could lead to increased financial autonomy for these authorities, enabling them to respond more flexibly to economic needs and opportunities within their communities. The bill establishes a framework that allows local governance to promote economic activities tailored to their specific local context, potentially encouraging stakeholders to invest in community services and infrastructure improvements.

Summary

House Bill 510, introduced by Representative Barras, aims to establish provisions concerning economic development authorities in specific parishes of Louisiana. The bill specifically focuses on authorities located in parishes with populations between 65,000 and 80,000, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census. It grants these authorities the power to regulate the imposition of fees and rentals for the use of facilities and services related to economic and industrial development activities within their jurisdiction. This aims to enhance the ability of local authorities to generate revenue and support development projects effectively.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding HB 510 appear to be supportive of the bill's aim to promote local economic development; however, it has faced scrutiny regarding the implications of empowering local authorities in setting fees. Proponents argue that it empowers economic development authorities to make swift decisions conducive to growth, whereas critics might raise concerns regarding the potential for excessive fees or lack of oversight in how fees and rentals are structured and enforced.

Contention

Notable points of contention include concerns about the authority granted to local boards in determining fee structures and the possible need for oversight to ensure that local economic authorities do not impose overly burdensome fees that could deter business development. Stakeholders may also debate the fairness of regulations imposed on businesses as a result of this more localized control, with some fearing that this may create inequities among different parishes depending on their financial strategies.