Senate Bill No. 286, introduced by Senator Duplessis, seeks to amend the governance structure and financial management of the Downtown Development District (DDD) in New Orleans. The bill classifies the DDD as a political subdivision and outlines that its board of commissioners will consist of eleven members, appointed by the mayor, city council, and various organizations, with at least five members being qualified voters residing or owning property in the district. Newly appointed or reappointed members will serve five-year terms, and the bill includes provisions for continuity in case of unfilled vacancies.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the provisions regarding the special ad valorem tax levied by the city council for the DDD, allowing for a maximum term of fifty years for the tax, starting from the next imposition. It specifies that tax proceeds will be paid directly to the district rather than the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, and mandates voter approval for any tax levies or bond issuances related to the district. The legislation also changes the approval authority for tax and bond amounts from the majority of electors in the city to the majority of electors within the district, while retaining the requirement for voter approval. Overall, the bill aims to enhance local governance and streamline tax revenue management for the DDD.

Statutes affected:
SB286 Original: 33:3(A), 33:3(A)(2)
SB286 Engrossed: 33:3(A), 33:3(A)(2)
SB286 Reengrossed: 33:3(A), 33:3(A)(2)