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Caddo-Bossier Port bill on pilot tax abatements deferred after sharp local disagreement
Summary
Representative McCormick’s bill would require the Caddo-Bossier Parish Port Commission to secure approvals from local taxing authorities before approving payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreements; the committee voluntarily deferred the bill after substantial local testimony and letters in opposition.
House Bill 480, a local bill by Representative McCormick, was voluntarily deferred May 6 after extended testimony and written statements opposing the measure.
The bill would require the Caddo-Bossier Parish Port Commission to obtain approval from three local taxing entities in a parish — typically the parish commission, school board and sheriff or police jury as applicable — before authorizing payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreements for projects within the port commission’s jurisdiction. Sponsor Representative McCormick said the measure would make explicit a process the port says it already follows and would require local taxing authorities have full financial information before granting approval.
Representatives of the Caddo-Bossier Parish Port Commission and its counsel said the port already negotiates PILOTs and that those transactions are reviewed by the State Bond Commission; they argued the port needs flexibility to compete for large projects and to respond quickly to utility and industry timelines. Eric England, executive port director, told the committee that many such projects are pursued in competition with other states and that removing port flexibility would hamper recruitment of investment.
Opponents from local governments — including letters presented from the City of Shreveport, Bossier City, the Caddo Parish Commission chair and local school and fire districts — urged more local review and transparency. Representative McCormick said his district is economically disadvantaged and that several proposed solar projects in his area produced large estimated PILOT abatements that would reduce school and fire district revenue. He said constituents overwhelmingly opposed allowing projects to receive reduced property tax treatment.
Given the number of letters and statements received and ongoing local disagreement, Representative McCormick volunteered to defer the bill to the next meeting so local governing bodies could finalize positions and stakeholders could continue discussion. The committee agreed to the voluntary deferral.
