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Committee reports bill to modernize New Orleans Downtown Development District, adds 50‑year sunset
Summary
Senate Bill 286, introduced by Senator DuPlessis, would modernize the governing law for the New Orleans Downtown Development District by classifying it as a political subdivision, changing tax collection and bond payment procedures, staggering board terms and adding a 50‑year sunset; the committee adopted sponsor amendments and reported the bill as amended with no opposition.
Senate Bill 286, presented by Senator DuPlessis, would update the governing statute for the Downtown Development District (DDD) in New Orleans by explicitly classifying the district as a political subdivision, modifying how tax revenues are collected and distributed, staggering board appointment terms and adding a 50‑year sunset provision.
DuPlessis told the committee the bill removes redundant appointment language, adds a 50‑year sunset that was not in the original draft, and shifts tax collection so the city treasury receives revenues and pays the district directly rather than routing payments through the board of liquidation. The bill also would require the district to transfer sufficient annual tax revenue to the board of liquidation to cover principal and interest payments on debt service before other uses.
“The downtown development district did a lot of work with local entities — New Orleans & Company, the Louisiana Restaurant Association and other stakeholders — to get to a place of agreement,” DuPlessis said, and he offered amendments to reflect that compromise.
Senator Miller asked about language in earlier drafts that had required city‑council confirmation of some appointments; DuPlessis said that provision created confusion and the sponsor chose to keep current appointment language in place. The committee adopted the offered amendments without objection.
Several stakeholders filed support cards; the clerk read names and noted some attendees declined to testify. Senator Gerald Boudreaux moved to report SB286 as amended; the committee reported the bill as amended with no recorded opposition.
The bill will go to the Senate floor as amended.
