House Bill No. by Representative LaFleur amends the powers and duties of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority as outlined in R.S. 33:4720.151(H)(3). The bill retains the existing provisions that allow the authority to acquire property through various means, such as gift, grant, purchase, or lease, for the purpose of carrying out its objectives. However, it introduces a significant change by removing the previous restriction that prohibited the authority from expropriating property, instead granting it the power to do so. This new authority to expropriate is aimed at revitalizing economically depressed areas by rehabilitating abandoned or blighted properties and reintegrating them into the economic stream of commerce.

The bill emphasizes the authority's role in addressing the challenges posed by slum, blighted, and distressed areas, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It underscores the importance of utilizing both private and public resources to tackle housing shortages and related issues in East Baton Rouge Parish, which includes the municipalities of Baker, Baton Rouge, Central, and Zachary. The authority will continue to be governed by a five-member board of commissioners, ensuring a structured approach to redevelopment efforts in the region.

Statutes affected:
HB162 Original: 33:151(H)(3)