Senate Bill No. by Senator Barrow amends the governance structure of the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District by increasing the board of commissioners from nine to eleven members. The bill modifies the appointment process for board members, removing the requirement for the member appointed by the state representative for House District No. 29 to be a representative of the business community. Additionally, it establishes that the member with a community development background will be selected from a list of three nominees provided by a nominating subcommittee formed by the board. The bill also eliminates the rotating appointment terms for certain members, ensuring a more stable governance structure.

Furthermore, the bill extends the term of office for board members from two years to four years, with a limit of two consecutive four-year terms. It specifies that partial terms of two years or less will not count towards this limit, while service exceeding two years of a partial term will count as one full term. The initial terms for the new board members will vary, with some serving one to four years as determined by lot at the first meeting. Lastly, the bill stipulates that if a vacancy occurs and is not filled within sixty days, the governor will appoint an interim member from a list of three nominees provided by the original appointing authority. This legislation is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB517 Original: 33:67(C)(1)