House Bill No. [insert bill number] amends several sections of Louisiana's drainage district laws, specifically R.S. 38:1607, 1608, 1609, 1758, and 1759, while repealing R.S. 38:1608(D). The bill modifies the eligibility criteria for drainage district commissioners by removing the requirement that a commissioner’s spouse must own real estate in the district. Instead, it stipulates that commissioners must own real estate valued at a minimum of $500 or represent a corporation or limited liability company with similar ownership. The bill also clarifies that commissioners are not required to reside in the district and allows them to serve in multiple drainage districts without violating dual office holding laws.

Additionally, the bill shifts the authority for appointing drainage district commissioners from police juries to parish governing authorities, requiring appointments to be made by a majority vote at a properly noticed meeting. It maintains the existing exceptions for specific parishes regarding the number of commissioners appointed. The bill also establishes that the term of any commissioner appointed before August 1, 2025, will remain unaffected and removes the requirement for landowner recommendations for commissioner appointments to be written and signed. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the appointment and eligibility processes for drainage district commissioners while ensuring that governance remains within the purview of local parish authorities.

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