Senate Bill No. 444, introduced by Senator Edmonds, establishes a new legal framework for the city of St. George in East Baton Rouge Parish to conduct expropriation of property through a declaration of taking. The bill enacts Part XIII of Title 19 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which includes definitions of key terms such as "governing authority," "property," and "owner." It authorizes the city to acquire property needed for public purposes, such as infrastructure projects, and allows for the acquisition of property prior to a court judgment on compensation. The expropriation process will follow similar procedures as those used by the Department of Transportation and Development.

The bill outlines the steps the city must take to initiate expropriation proceedings, including filing a petition in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court and obtaining a resolution from the governing authority that confirms the public purpose of the taking. It specifies the requirements for the petition, including a description of the property and the names of the owners. Upon court approval, the city can take possession of the property after depositing estimated compensation into the court's registry. The legislation also provides for the rights of property owners to contest the taking and seek compensation, as well as the accrual of legal interest on any awarded amounts. The bill will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for gubernatorial action.