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Senate committee reports multiple local bills favorably, including crime-prevention districts and assessor pay equalization
Summary
The Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs advanced several local measures by voice consent, including creation of crime-prevention districts in Real Timbers and Parkview Oaks, an Allen Parish economic development district with an occupancy tax, a veterans’ preference cleanup, assessor compensation equalization, a Spring Lake improvement district, and revisions to the Capital Area Road and Bridge District board.
The Louisiana Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs on Wednesday reported a package of local bills favorably, advancing measures that range from crime-prevention districts to changes in local boards and assessor compensation.
Representative Boyd introduced HB 120 to create a crime-prevention district in the Real Timbers subdivision in New Orleans; senators approved a favorable report by voice consent.
Representative Sawyer presented HB 139 to create a crime-prevention district in Parkview Oaks, East Baton Rouge Parish. Senator Foyle praised the sponsor’s explanation and signaled floor support; the committee reported the bill favorably.
Representative Carrier proposed HB 247 to replace the Allen Parish Tourist Commission with an Allen Parish Economic Development District empowered to levy an occupancy tax. The sponsor offered several technical amendments and one substantive change clarifying that the new board would have the authority to levy an occupancy tax directly rather than requiring a separate public vote; the committee approved the bill as amended.
Representative Kerner brought HB 450, a cleanup to ensure veterans who served at least 180 days with an honorable discharge remain eligible for five preference points on civil-service exams. Assessors and fire and police representatives submitted cards in support; the committee reported HB 450 favorably.
Representative Brass presented HB 812 on assessor salary equalization. Wendy Thibodeaux, a Lafourche Parish assessor, testified that clerks’ recent increases would otherwise leave assessors 20% behind and that equalization would be borne at the local level, not by the state. The committee reported HB 812 favorably.
Representative Newell introduced HB 122 to create the Spring Lake Subdivision Improvement District in Orleans Parish and allow the Spring Lake Neighborhood Association to vote on assessments; it was reported favorably.
Representative McMakin advanced HB 462 to add legislative appointees to the Capital Area Road and Bridge District board to help move a proposed Mississippi River bridge project. Senators raised quorum concerns about expanding the board’s membership and suggested narrowing the number of legislative appointees during floor negotiations; the committee reported HB 462 favorably.
All reported bills received favorable reports by voice consent; the committee did not record roll-call tallies at the meeting. The measures will proceed to their next steps in the legislative process.
