Senate Bill No. 54, introduced by Senator Mizell, establishes a framework for appointing a limited jurisdiction fiscal administrator for political subdivisions in Louisiana during emergencies that threaten fiscal stability and public welfare. The bill amends existing laws and introduces new provisions, specifically R.S. 39:1358, 1358.1, 1358.2, and 1358.3, which detail the appointment process, duties, and termination of such administrators. The legislative auditor, attorney general, and state treasurer will assess the need for an appointment, and if necessary, the attorney general will file a motion in court. The appointed administrator will have authority over specific departments to effectively manage the emergency.

The bill outlines the responsibilities of the fiscal administrator, including access to records, directing fiscal operations, and amending budgets to respond to emergencies. The governing authority must adopt the proposed budget amendments within a specified timeframe, or the attorney general can seek court intervention. The appointment can be terminated by the court once the emergency is resolved, allowing the political subdivision to regain control. The bill also specifies that the administrator will be indemnified as a covered individual under existing law, and it retains certain provisions from current law regarding the responsibilities and limitations of fiscal administrators. The effective date for this law is set for August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB54 Original: 39:1356(E)