RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 175 (HB 565) 2023 Regular Session Freiberg
New law creates the University Security District in East Baton Rouge Parish as a political
subdivision of the state for the purpose of aiding in crime prevention and providing for the
overall betterment of the district. Provides for district boundaries. Provides that the district
is governed by a board of commissioners composed as follows:
(1) Four members appointed by the president of La. State University and Agricultural
and Mechanical College.
(2) One member appointed by the board of directors of the Northgate Merchants
Association.
(3) One member appointed by the board of directors of the Southgate Merchants
Association.
(4) One member appointed by the member of the La. House of Representatives whose
district encompasses all or the greater number of property owners in the area of the
district.
(5) One member appointed by the member of the La. Senate whose district encompasses
all or the greater number of property owners in the area of the district.
(6) One member appointed by each councilperson of the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan
Council whose district, either wholly or in part, is included in the boundaries of the
district.
Requires that all members, except those appointed by the president, own property and reside
in the district and be qualified voters of the district.
New law provides relative to the powers and duties of the district.
New law authorizes the district, subject to voter approval, to impose and collect a parcel fee
on each improved and unimproved parcel. Further provides that the maximum amounts of
the annual fee shall be as follows:
(1) For unimproved parcels zoned residential, $400.
(2) For unimproved and improved single-family parcels zoned residential, $400.
(3) For multiple adjacent residential parcels housing a single family dwelling, $600.
(4) For multifamily parcels zoned residential, $5,000.
(5) For unimproved and improved parcels zoned commercial, $5,000.
Provides that the initial fee shall not exceed $150 per parcel per year.
New law provides that the fee shall expire at the end of the term provided for in the
proposition authorizing the fee, not to exceed 15 years. Authorizes the board to increase the
fee one time without election not less than three years after initial approval. Provides that
the increased fee shall not exceed $250 per parcel per year, but shall not exceed the
maximum amount provided in new law. Authorizes renewal of the fee, subject to voter
approval, for a term not to exceed 15 years. Prohibits the imposition of the fee on parcels
owned by the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority or its affiliated or subsidiary
entities.
New law requires the sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish to collect the fee in the same
manner and at the same time as ad valorem taxes and provides that any unpaid fee must be
added to the parish tax rolls and enforced with the same authority and subject to the same
penalties and procedures as unpaid ad valorem taxes. Further requires the sheriff to remit
to the district all amounts collected, and authorizes the district to enter into an agreement
with the sheriff to authorize the retention of a collection fee, not to exceed 1% of the amount
collected.
New law requires the district's board to adopt an annual budget in accordance with existing
law (R.S. 39:1301 et seq.) and provides that the district shall be subject to audit by the
legislative auditor.
New law provides that it is the purpose and intent of new law that the additional law
enforcement personnel and their services provided for through the fees authorized by new
law shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, personnel and services provided in the
district by the city-parish. Further provides that if the district ceases to exist, all district
funds shall be transmitted to the governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish and used
for law enforcement purposes in the area that comprised the district.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 7, 2023).
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.37)