House Bill No. 565 aims to establish guidelines for the renovation of public historic buildings owned by the state, parishes, or municipalities. The bill introduces a new section, 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 the entity undertaking the work notify local legislators, hold a public hearing to gather community input, and consider the opinion of the state historic preservation office before commencing any work.

The proposed law includes exceptions for routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and work necessary for public safety, ensuring that not all activities related to historic properties are subject to these new requirements. The bill is set to take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period 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.