House Bill No. 350 amends existing laws regarding the appointment and eligibility of commissioners for drainage districts in Louisiana. The bill restricts the authority to appoint commissioners solely to parish governing authorities, replacing the previous role of police juries. It modifies the eligibility criteria for commissioners, stating that they must own real estate in the district valued at a minimum of $500 or represent a corporation or limited liability company that meets the same requirement. The bill also clarifies that commissioners are not required to reside in the district and allows individuals to serve as commissioners in multiple drainage districts without violating dual office holding laws.

Additionally, the bill outlines the processes for the removal and reorganization of commissioners, allowing for their removal by the parish governing authority for cause, and mandates that a majority vote at a properly noticed meeting is required for such actions. The term of any commissioner appointed before August 1, 2025, remains unaffected by these changes. The bill repeals a section of the current law that previously governed the appointment process, streamlining the procedures and ensuring that the parish governing authority is responsible for the ongoing appointment of commissioners.

Statutes affected:
HB350 Original: 38:1607(A)(2), 38:1608(A), 38:1759(A), 38:1608(D)