This bill amends several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, focusing on enhancing its powers, duties, and financial mechanisms. Key changes include redefining "project" to align with existing statutes and introducing a new definition for the "Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project." The authority is granted expanded powers to incur debt, issue bonds, and utilize hotel occupancy taxes for financing projects, along with a structured payment system for ad valorem taxes related to hotel leases. Additionally, the bill repeals outdated provisions regarding the termination of tax authority upon bond payment and clarifies the authority's ability to levy additional hotel occupancy taxes, ensuring that generated revenues can be used for operational expenses and future projects.

Moreover, the bill broadens the definition of "expansion project" to include a wider array of facilities and introduces new tax levies on hotel room occupancy, food and beverage sales, and service contractors to fund these projects. It emphasizes minority business participation by mandating a percentage of contracts be awarded to minority-owned businesses and modifies the timing of the authority's annual financial report to the city council. The repeal of several existing law sections aims to streamline the legal framework, equipping the authority with the necessary tools to effectively manage and finance the development of the convention center and its associated facilities, ultimately promoting economic growth in Orleans Parish.

Statutes affected:
HB298 Original: 33:11(A), 33:13(3), 33:1(A), 33:2(A), 33:17(A), 33:24(A), 33:25(A), 33:26(B), 33:28(A), 33:19(B)(5), 33:15(B)(5), 33:1(B)(4), 33:2(B)(5), 33:23(A)(4), 33:24(E), 33:25(D), 33:26(C)
HB298 Engrossed: 33:11(A), 33:13(3), 33:1(A), 33:2(A), 33:17(A), 33:24(A), 33:25(A), 33:26(B), 33:28(A), 33:15(B)(5), 33:1(B)(4), 33:2(B)(5), 33:23(A)(4), 33:24(E), 33:25(D), 33:26(C)
HB298 Enrolled: 33:11(A), 33:13(3), 33:1(A), 33:2(A), 33:17(A), 33:24(A), 33:25(A), 33:26(B), 33:28(A), 33:19(B)(5), 33:15(B)(5), 33:1(B)(4), 33:2(B)(5), 33:23(A)(4), 33:24(E), 33:25(D), 33:26(C)
HB298 Act : 33:11(A), 33:13(3), 33:1(A), 33:2(A), 33:17(A), 33:24(A), 33:25(A), 33:26(B), 33:28(A), 33:19(B)(5), 33:15(B)(5), 33:1(B)(4), 33:2(B)(5), 33:23(A)(4), 33:24(E), 33:25(D), 33:26(C)