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Committee approves bill letting New Orleans Sewer & Water board elect its president, hire counsel and modernize governance language
Summary
The House committee approved amended legislation that would let the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board elect its own board president, retain independent counsel if it chooses, and remove an obsolete statutory exemption that relieved the city of certain drainage-appropriation obligations.
The House committee approved amended legislation that updates several governance provisions for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.
Under the amended bill, the board would be able to elect its own president rather than defaulting that role to the city mayor; the board would also have the option to retain independent legal counsel. The bill removes legacy statutory language that previously relieved the City of New Orleans from certain appropriation obligations for drainage maintenance.
Representative Hilferty, who carried the bill, said the amendments clarify longstanding ambiguities and modernize the board’s operating structure. The measure’s sponsors said the changes reflect how the board operates in practice and would give the board clearer authority over its internal leadership and legal representation.
Representative Newell raised a constitutional and home‑rule charter concern, noting that the New Orleans home‑rule charter includes specific provisions governing the city’s ability to retain special counsel and the structure of city boards. Newell asked that the committee allow time to obtain an opinion from the New Orleans city attorney; after discussion she withdrew a proposed amendment and the bill moved forward.
The committee adopted the amendments and voted to report the bill favorably. Sponsors and staff told members they would coordinate with the City of New Orleans on implementation details and any necessary further legal review.
Speakers included Representative Hilferty (bill carrier), Representative Newell (questions on home‑rule/charter), and departmental staff and counsel who explained the technical updates.
