Task force delays a statewide blight definition, eyes pilot studies and Lake Charles title-insurance fund

Sen. Regina Barrow27s blight task force ended its final pre-session hearing without adopting a single statewide definition of "blight," instead asking members to continue work during the interim and pursue pilot studies and targeted legislative language.

The chair said members could not reach "finality" on a single statutory definition in time for the 2026 session and opted to build more evidence through pilot programs and research before advancing bills. The task force asked staff and members to follow up with state agencies and university partners and to return with more precise recommendations.

Nicole Miller, community development director for the city of Lake Charles, presented a mayoral proposal intended to move adjudicated properties back into commerce by making title insurance available for properties with clouded titles. "What we were looking to his suggestion was [a] $1,000,000 dollar fund that would allow the insurance companies to sort of have that as their backup policy," Miller said, describing a one-time state appropriation that she said could be replenished as claims are paid and properties re-market.

Miller told the task force the fund would be a backup for title insurers once the standard adjudication process is complete and that nonprofits and cities could participate: "This is for our non profits to participate in as well, so that anyone coming forth can go out and get an insurance policy, and this is the backup to that insurance policy."

Members asked technical and legal questions about underwriting, claims limits and due process. The task force27s Dr. Marla Dickerson pressed the proposal on constitutional and heirs27 property issues, asking how the fund would respect owners27 rights after long-adjudication periods: "Where is the due process in trying to figure out who the actual owner is? It almost sounds like it's a constitutional issue," she said. Miller replied the fund would operate only after full adjudication and that further legislative safeguards would be required.

Committee members also discussed scaling legal help through law clinics and flagged the Uniform Partitioning of Heirs Property Act, a model law adopted in many states, as a related item to watch. One member noted the act is often introduced in legislatures even if it does not pass committee, and the task force agreed to monitor and potentially advocate for related measures.

The chair asked staff to coordinate pilot logistics, to share research on other states27 approaches and to consult with the title insurance industry and the Louisiana Law Institute. She said the task force would reconvene in August to review findings and potential draft language.

The meeting concluded with no formal votes on any bill. The task force moved to adjourn and scheduled continued interim work to refine options for the 2026 session.