House Bill No. 234, introduced by Representative Mandie Landry, seeks to amend existing laws regarding the criminal blighting of property in Louisiana. The bill redefines "blighted property" to include any vacant or occupied immovable property that has been declared or certified as blighted or a public nuisance by a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing officer. This change replaces the previous definition, which was limited to commercial or residential premises that were declared vacant, uninhabitable, and hazardous. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "public nuisance" to include apartments, alongside other structures, that may endanger public health or safety.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the criteria for criminal blighting of property, stating that it occurs when property is declared or certified as a public nuisance, in addition to being declared blighted. This amendment clarifies the role of administrative hearing officers in making such declarations. The bill also retains provisions related to the enforcement of health, safety, and welfare ordinances in Orleans Parish, ensuring that the definitions and enforcement mechanisms are consistent with the updated language regarding blighted properties.

Statutes affected:
HB234 Original: 14:3(A)(1), 33:1374(B)(1)