House Bill No. 436, introduced by Representative Terry Landry, seeks to amend the governance structure of the Downtown Development District of Baton Rouge by modifying the composition and appointment process of its governing board. The board will now consist of seven members who are qualified voters in East Baton Rouge Parish, with at least three members required to be property owners or lessees within the district. The appointment process has been revised to include nominations from the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, and all appointments must be approved by the metro council. Additionally, board members will serve standardized three-year terms with a limit of two consecutive terms, and provisions for filling vacancies have been clarified.

The bill also expands the powers and duties of the district, allowing it to sue, acquire property, and enter into contracts, including inter-governmental contracts for services and capital improvements. It streamlines the process for implementing district plans by removing previous requirements for board plans to be submitted to the city-parish planning commission and the metro council for review. Funding sources for services and improvements have been clarified to include proceeds from the city-parish alongside the special tax levied on real property. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the governance and operational efficiency of the Downtown Development District, ensuring better representation and accountability in its management.

Statutes affected:
HB213 Original: 33:8(D)(1), 33:8(N)
HB213 Engrossed: 33:8(D)(1)
HB213 Reengrossed: 33:8(D)