House Bill No. 565 aims to establish guidelines for the renovation of public historic buildings owned by the state, parishes, or municipalities. The bill enacts R.S. 25:747, which mandates that any restoration, renovation, or construction work on the exterior of properties designated as landmarks, located within historic districts, or listed on the National Register of Historic Places must adhere to specific preservation guidelines and best practices set forth by the state historic preservation office and the Department of the Interior. Additionally, the bill requires that prior to commencing any work, the responsible entity must notify local legislators, hold a public hearing to gather community input, and consider the opinion of the state historic preservation office regarding the appropriateness of the proposed work.

The bill also clarifies that certain types of work, such as routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or the replacement of historic features with matching materials, are exempt from these requirements. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon the governor's signature or the expiration of the time for gubernatorial action. Amendments made during the legislative process have refined the applicability of the law to focus specifically on exterior work and have removed provisions that would have allowed the state historic preservation officer to impose penalties.