RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 613 (HB 398) 2024 Regular Session Hilferty
Existing law provides that the New Orleans Improvement Association (association) and its
board are agencies within the Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (DCRT). Further
provides that New Orleans City Park is under the control and management of the association.
Existing law provides that the secretary of DCRT is a member of the board of the
association.
New law provides for additional membership of the board as follows:
(1) The president of the Senate, or his designee.
(2) The speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee.
(3) The senator for the district in which New Orleans City Park lies.
(4) The member of the House of Representatives for the district in which New Orleans
City Park lies.
New law requires additional members to serve as members of the governing authority of any
nonprofit or not-for-profit firm, corporation, or entity that the association contracts with for
the operation, care, control, and management of the park and its facilities.
Existing law provides relative to the powers and duties of the association, including
provisions relative to the procurement of goods and services, leases of facilities, and
subcontracts to manage facilities and services. New law provides that any procurement of
goods and services, leases of facilities, or any subcontracts in an amount greater than
$250,000 require board approval.
Existing law prohibits the board from entering into any contract under the provisions of
existing law which is for a purpose not in conformity with the master plan for the New
Orleans City Park required by the provisions of existing law (Act No. 865 of 1982 R.S.).
New law requires that the annual review and amendments to the master plan for the
development of City Park be conducted by the board in accordance with existing law (§3 of
Act No. 865 of 1982 RS).
Existing law provides that only a La. firm, corporation, or entity may contract with the board
and only a firm, corporation, or entity that is organized as a nonprofit or not-for-profit with
a primary purpose of the betterment of the park is eligible to contract with the board. New
law requires that the chief executive officer and president of any entity the board contracts
with for the operation, care, control, and management of the park be subject to board
approval.
New law provides further with respect to persons employed as officers by New Orleans City
Park. Requires that persons who are employed as officers be approved by the board of the
association. Requires that the officers be designated as City Park police officers and
provides that the officers are responsible for maintaining general order and exercising police
power within the jurisdiction of New Orleans City Park.
New law requires that each person employed to serve as a City Park police officer be
commissioned as a City Park police officer by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections.
Provides further that the officers may be commissioned by the New Orleans Police Dept.
Requires officers to receive applicable training in accordance with existing law provisions
relative to Peace Officers Standards and Training.
New law authorizes City Park police officers to carry concealed weapons in accordance with
existing law (R.S. 40:1379.1.3) and to exercise the power of arrest within the grounds and
jurisdiction of the park and on all streets, roads, and rights-of-way to the extent they are
within or contiguous to the perimeter of the park.
New law requires each City Park police officer to execute a bond in the amount of $10,000
in favor of the state for the faithful performance of his duties and further requires that the
premium on the bond be paid by the park.
New law provides that all fines and fees generated through the enforcement of park rules are
deemed self-generated revenues of the park and shall be used for park development,
maintenance, and operation.
New law authorizes a City Park police officer, upon recommendation of the chief executive
officer of the park, and with board approval, to discharge his duties off the grounds of the
park while doing the following:
(1) Transporting an arrested person in furtherance of his duties.
(2) Transporting money, securities, or other valuables on behalf of the park.
(3) Engaging in intelligence gathering related to the performance of duties.
(4) Investigating a crime committed on park grounds.
(5) Providing security or protective services for visiting dignitaries, honored guests or
executives on or off park grounds.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends Act No. 130 of 1896 R.S., §1, as amended by Act No. 395 of 2006 R.S., and Act
No. 569 of 1989 R.S., §§1-8, as amended by Act No. 13 of 1998 1st E.S., and Act No. 395
of 2006 R.S.; Adds R.S. 33:4558.1)