RDCSB305 552 4765
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
SB 305 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Harris
Present law provides that the public water system, the public sewerage system, and the
public drainage system of the city of New Orleans shall be constructed, controlled,
maintained, and operated by a sewerage and water board to be composed as follows:
(1) The mayor.
(2) The chair of the Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee of the New
Orleans City Council, a member of the committee appointed by the chair, or a civil
engineer appointed by the chair.
(3) Two syndicate members of the board of liquidation, city debt, to be appointed by the
mayor on the recommendation of the board of liquidation, city debt.
(4) Seven citizens, to be appointed by the mayor, with the advice and consent of the city
council from a list of nominees submitted by the Sewerage and Water Board
Selection Committee.
Proposed law makes changes to the board membership by providing that one of the
appointees may be the chair of the Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee
of the New Orleans City Council, or an appointment selected by the council president with
a background in engineering, law, or consumer advocacy selected with the advice and
consent of the city council. Proposed law otherwise retains present law board composition.
Proposed law provides that at the beginning of every quarter, the Coastal Protection
Restoration Authority (authority), the La. Dept. of Transp. and Dev. (DOTD), the Gov.'s
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and representatives from the
Jefferson Parish Department of Public Works, the Saint Bernard Parish Department of Public
Works, and the Plaquemines Parish Engineering & Public Works Department shall meet
with the executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board (board) and his team to
develop a coordinated southeast La. urban flood prevention plan. Proposed law requires that
the plan be presented to the members of the New Orleans Delegation and the city council
annually on May 15th, beginning May 15th, 2025.
Proposed law provides that the board shall be responsible for all drainage operations in the
city of New Orleans. Requires the city of New Orleans to transfer all employees and
equipment used for drainage maintenance to the board.
Proposed law requires the city of New Orleans to allocate on an annual basis to the board
the same level of funding the New Orleans Department of Public Works utilized in fiscal
year 2023 for drainage operations.
Proposed law requires the city of New Orleans, the board, and the authority to sign a
cooperative endeavor agreement to assist in the coordination of the city of New Orleans
award of $141,300,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
National Disaster Resilience Grant.
Proposed law requires the board and DOTD to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement
allowing the option to undertake contracting responsibilities of any special capital
improvement projects over $100,000,000. Additionally requires the board and DOTD to
create and update annually a capital improvement plan and a maintenance plan to ensure the
longevity of the infrastructure of the board.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
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 RDCSB305 552 4765
(Amends R.S. 33:4071(A)(1)(b); Adds R.S. 33:4071.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal
Affairs to the original bill
1. Provides for a change in the appointment by the New Orleans City Council.
2. Provides that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness shall meet with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
executive director and his team to develop a coordinated flood prevention
plan.
3. Designates the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans as the entity
responsible for all drainage operations in the city of New Orleans.
4. Provide for the creation of a resiliency plan between the Coastal Protection
and Restoration Authority, the city of New Orleans, and the Sewerage and
Water Board of New Orleans.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Technical amendments.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the reengrossed bill:
1. Add certain agencies and representatives, including other parish governments,
that are required to work in conjunction with the Gov. Office of Homeland
Security and DOTD in developing a flood prevention plan.
2. Requires that a meeting be held every quarter rather than every year.
3. Add requirement that the discussion of the plan include multiparish storm
drainage predictions and emergency response priorities.
4. Make changes to the agencies and entities to which the plan is required to be
presented.
5. Add requirement that the plan be presented on an annual basis.
6. Add requirement that the board and DOTD sign a cooperative endeavor
agreement to allow contracting responsibilities for certain capital improvement
projects.
7. Add requirement that the board and DOTD create and update annually a capital
improvement plan and a maintenance plan regarding the infrastructure of the
board.
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