DISTRICTS/TAXING: Provides relative to the Downtown Development District of the city of Baton Rouge

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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 213
BY REPRESENTATIVE TERRY LANDRY
DISTRICTS/TAXING: Provides relative to the Downtown Development District of the city
of Baton Rouge
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 33:2740.8(D), (E)(2) and (5), (F) through (I), and (N), relative
3 to the Downtown Development District of the city of Baton Rouge; to provide
4 relative to the governing board of the district; to provide relative to the membership
5 of the board; to provide relative to the appointment of board members; to provide
6 relative to the terms and compensation of the members; to provide relative to the
7 powers and duties of the district; to provide relative to the powers and duties of the
8 city of Baton Rouge, parish of East Baton Rouge with respect to the district; and to
9 provide for related matters.
10 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published
11 as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of
12 Louisiana.
13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
14 Section 1. R.S. 33:2740.8(D), (E)(2) and (5), (F) through (I), and (N) are hereby
15 amended and reenacted to read as follows:
16 §2740.8. The downtown development district of the city of Baton Rouge; creation,
17 composition and powers; preparation of plans, levy of special ad valorem
18 taxes, and issuance of bonds and other instruments of indebtedness
19 * * *
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1 D.(1) The board shall be composed of seven members, all of whom shall be
2 qualified voters of the parish of East Baton Rouge, and shall have their principal
3 place of business or profession in, or own property in, the Downtown Development
4 District district. The seven members shall be appointed as follows:
5 (a) One member of the board shall be appointed at-large by the
6 mayor-president, with the approval of the metro council.
7 (b) One member of the board shall be appointed by the mayor-president,
8 with the approval of the metro council, from a list of four nominees submitted by the
9 Greater Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce governing board of the Greater
10 Baton Rouge Economic Partnership.
11 (c) One member of the board shall be appointed by the mayor-president, with
12 the approval of the metro council, from a list of four nominees submitted by the
13 Riverside Association.
14 (d) Two members of the board shall be appointed by the mayor-president,
15 with the approval of the metro council, from a list of six nominees submitted by
16 property owners and lessees of property located within the jurisdictional boundaries
17 of the district.
18 (e) (c) One member shall be appointed by the mayor-president, with the
19 approval of the metro council, and who shall be a resident of Spanish Town.
20 (f) (d) One member shall be appointed by the mayor-president, with the
21 approval of the metro council, and who shall be a resident of Beauregard Town.
22 (e) Three members shall be appointed by the mayor-president, with the
23 approval of the metro council, who shall be property owners or lessees of property
24 located within the boundaries of the district. At least one member shall be a property
25 owner and at least one member shall be a lessee.
26 (2)(a) The members of the board initially appointed shall have terms of
27 office as follows:
28 (i) Two members for one year each;
29 (ii) Two members for two years each; and
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1 (iii) Three members for three years each.
2 (b) The length of the term for each individual appointed shall be determined
3 by lot at the first meeting of the board. The members of the board shall serve three-
4 year terms.
5 (c) (b) The members of the board shall serve until their successors have been
6 appointed and qualified.
7 (d) (c) The terms of members of the board appointed upon the expiration of
8 the initial terms shall be three years, and upon expiration of a term of office, the
9 successor shall be appointed in accordance with the procedures herein prescribed for
10 the appointment of the original members Members shall not serve more than two
11 consecutive terms; provided however, if a member is appointed to fill an unexpired
12 term, his term shall not be considered in calculating the limitation on consecutive
13 terms of office.
14 (e) (d) Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for
15 which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled by appointment in
16 the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term.
17 E.
18 * * *
19 (2) The minute books and archives of the board shall be maintained by the
20 board's secretary with the help and assistance of and through the office of council
21 administrator. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district in the official custody
22 and control of the board's treasurer shall be deposited, expended, and accounted for,
23 records maintained, and idle funds invested through the department of finance, under
24 the director of finance, and checks issued through the office of the parish treasurer
25 as in the case of city-parish monies under the plan of government. The office of
26 parish attorney shall serve as the board's regular attorney, and the services of the
27 district or of other offices and departments of the city-parish shall be furnished in
28 accordance with Subsection I Subsection H of this Section.
29 * * *
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1 (5) The members of the board shall serve without compensation; however,
2 they shall receive a travel allowance as reimbursement for expenses incurred while
3 attending to the business of the board or the district may receive a travel allowance
4 as reimbursement for expenses incurred while attending a conference, educational
5 event, or meeting on behalf of the district if the conference, event, or meeting is held
6 outside the boundaries of East Baton Rouge Parish and is approved in advance by the
7 board and the executive director of the district.
8 F.(1) The metro council shall appoint an executive director for the district
9 who has been recommended by the board.
10 (2) The executive director shall appoint an assistant executive director and
11 shall hire or contract other professional, clerical, and support staff as deemed
12 necessary by the board.
13 G. The district, acting through its board, shall have the following powers and
14 duties:
15 (1) To sue and be sued.
16 (2) To adopt and use a seal and authorize the use of a facsimile thereof.
17 (3) To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, or lease movable or immovable
18 property and to dispose of such property.
19 (4) To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary to the
20 business of the district or convenient to the exercise of its powers.
21 (5) To contract for the services of consultants to perform planning,
22 engineering, financial, legal, or other appropriate services of a professional nature.
23 (6) To receive by gift, grant, loan, or donation any sum of money or
24 property, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any
25 political subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation and to hold, use, and
26 dispose of such monies or property for any district purposes in accordance with the
27 terms of the agreement of the gift, grant, loan, or donation.
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1 (7) To adopt bylaws prescribing the powers, duties, and functions of the
2 officers of the district, the conduct of the business of the district, and the
3 maintenance of records.
4 (8) To maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate within
5 the district.
6 (9) To lease as lessor or lessee to or from any person, firm, corporation,
7 association, or body, public or private any facilities or property of any nature for
8 district purposes.
9 (10) To borrow money and issue bonds, certificates, warrants, notes, or other
10 evidences of indebtedness.
11 (11) To levy such special assessments as may be authorized and to charge,
12 collect, and enforce fees and other user charges.
13 (12) To cooperate with, or contract with, other governmental agencies as
14 may be necessary, convenient, incidental, or proper in connection with any of the
15 powers, duties, or purposes authorized by this Section.
16 (13) To exercise all of the powers necessary and proper in connection with
17 any of the powers, duties, or purposes authorized by this Section.
18 F.(1) H. The board district shall prepare or cause to be prepared a plan or
19 plans specifying the public improvements, facilities, and services proposed to be
20 furnished, constructed, or acquired for the district and shall conduct such public
21 hearings, publish such notice with respect thereto, and disseminate such information
22 as it, in the exercise of its sound discretion, may deem to be appropriate or advisable
23 and in the public interest.
24 (2) Any plan may specify and encompass any public services, capital
25 improvements, and facilities which the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East
26 Baton Rouge are authorized to undertake, furnish, or provide under the constitution
27 and laws of the state of Louisiana, and such specified public services, improvements,
28 and facilities shall be special and in addition to all services, improvements, and
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1 facilities which the city of Baton Rouge is then furnishing or providing or may then
2 or in the future be obligated to furnish or provide within the district.
3 (3) Any plan shall include:
4 (a) An estimate of the annual and total cost of acquiring, constructing, or
5 providing the services, improvements, or facilities set forth therein.
6 (b) The proportion of the tax to be levied on the taxable real property within
7 the district which is to be set aside and dedicated to paying the cost of furnishing
8 specified services and the proportion of such tax to be set aside and dedicated to
9 paying the cost of capital improvements or paying the cost of debt service on any
10 bonds to be issued to pay the cost of capital improvements, such proportions, in each
11 case, to be expressed in numbers of mills.
12 (c) An estimate of the total number of mills required to be levied each year
13 on the taxable real property within the district in order to provide the funds required
14 for the implementation of the plan for furnishing the specified services and for
15 capital improvements, debt service, or both.
16 (4) The board shall also submit the plan to the city-parish planning
17 commission. The planning commission shall review the plan and determine whether
18 or not it is consistent with the comprehensive plan for the city of Baton Rouge. The
19 planning commission, within thirty days following receipt of the plan, shall submit
20 to the metro council its written opinion as to whether or not the plan or any portion
21 or detail thereof is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan for the city, together
22 with its written comments and recommendations with respect thereto.
23 (5)(a) After receipt of the plan together with the written comments and
24 recommendations of the city-parish planning commission, the metro council shall
25 review and consider the plan together with the written comments and
26 recommendations. The metro council, by a majority vote of all its members, may
27 adopt or reject the plan as originally submitted by the board or alter or modify the
28 plan or any portion or detail thereof.
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1 (b) If the plan as originally submitted by the board is adopted by the majority
2 vote of the metro council, it shall become final and conclusive and may thereafter be
3 implemented. If the metro council alters or modifies the plan by a majority vote of
4 its members, the plan as altered or modified shall be resubmitted to the board for its
5 concurrence or rejection.
6 (c) The board may concur in the modified plan by a majority vote of all of
7 its members. If the board votes to concur in the plan as modified by the metro
8 council, the plan shall become final and conclusive and may thereafter be
9 implemented. If the board does not concur in the plan as modified by the metro
10 council, it shall notify the metro council in writing of its decision.
11 (d) Thereafter and as often as the board may deem to be necessary or
12 advisable, it shall prepare or cause to be prepared a plan or plans and submit the
13 same to the planning commission in accordance with the same procedure
14 hereinabove prescribed with respect to the original plan. The planning commission
15 shall submit such plan, together with their written comments and recommendations,
16 to the metro council for its adoption, modification, or rejection in the manner and
17 with the same effect as provided with respect to the original plan.
18 G.(1)(a) The provisions of Subsection F of this Section to the contrary
19 notwithstanding, the board may prepare and submit directly to the metro council a
20 plan or plans setting forth its intention to employ professional consultants, experts,
21 and such other advisors and personnel as it shall deem to be necessary or convenient
22 to assist in the preparation of a plan or plans for the orderly and efficient
23 development of services and improvements within the district.
24 (b) The plan shall specify the services proposed to be rendered by such
25 employees, an estimate of the aggregate of the proposed salaries of such employees,
26 and an estimate of the other expenses of the board required for the preparation of
27 such plan or plans, together with a request that a tax in an amount sufficient to cover
28 the costs of such salaries and expenses be levied on the real property within the
29 district.
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1 (c) The plan shall include a proposed budget of income and expenditure
2 specified source of funding for each of the years the tax is to run.
3 (2)(a) The metro council shall review and consider such plan within thirty
4 days following submission to it by the board and shall adopt or reject such plan by
5 a majority vote of its members.
6 (b) If the metro council adopts such plan, it shall become final and
7 conclusive, and the tax requested by the board upon approval by special referendum
8 of the electorate of the parish of East Baton Rouge, as required by Subsection J of
9 this Section, shall be levied and collected.
10 (c) If the metro council rejects the plan, it shall notify the board of its action,
11 and the board may again and from time to time prepare and submit to the metro
12 council a plan in accordance with the procedures provided for this in this Subsection.
13 H. If no plan is finally and conclusively adopted in accordance with the
14 procedures prescribed in this Section within four years after the effective date of this
15 Section, all power and authority conferred hereby shall lapse, the district shall be
16 dissolved, and all power and authority incident thereto shall become null and void
17 as a matter of law; however, in such event, all obligations contractual or otherwise,
18 incurred by the district during its existence, shall survive and shall be fully
19 enforceable in accordance with their terms.
20 I.(1) All services to be furnished within the district pursuant to any plan
21 finally and conclusively adopted hereunder shall pursuant to this Section may be
22 furnished, supplied, and administered by the district or may be furnished, supplied,
23 and administered by the city-parish through its regularly constituted departments,
24 agencies, boards, commissions, and instrumentalities. All capital improvements and
25 facilities to be acquired, constructed, or provided within the district, whether from
26 the proceeds of bonds or otherwise, shall may likewise be so acquired, constructed,
27 or provided by the city-parish through its regularly constituted departments,
28 agencies, boards, commissions, and instrumentalities, it being the intention hereof
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1 to avoid the duplication of administrative and management efforts and expense in the
2 implementation of any plan adopted for the benefit of the district.
3 (2) In order to provide such services and/or or provide, construct, or acquire
4 such capital improvements or facilities, the board district may enter into
5 inter-governmental local service contracts with the city-parish.
6 (3) The cost of any such services, capital improvements, or facilities shall
7 be paid for by the district from the proceeds of the special tax levied upon real
8 property within the district as herein provided in this Section or, from the proceeds
9 of bonds, or from the city-parish.
10 * * *
11 N. The district shall have the power to pay the city of Baton Rouge and the
12 parish of East Baton Rouge funds for services rendered by the city-parish under a
13 local services contract between the district and the city-parish may contract with the
14 city-parish for services rendered on behalf of the district.
15 Section 2. The members of the board of commissioners of the Downtown
16 Development District of the city of Baton Rouge serving on the effective date of this Act
17 shall continue to serve until the expiration of their current terms. The successors of such
18 members shall serve three-year terms.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 213 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Terry Landry
Abstract: Provides relative to the governing board and the powers and duties of the
Downtown Development District of the city of Baton Rouge.
Present law authorizes the metropolitan council (metro council) of the city of Baton Rouge
and the parish of East Baton Rouge, with the approval of the mayor-president, to create the
Downtown Development District of the city of Baton Rouge as a special taxing district
within the city. Provides for district boundaries.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the district is governed by a seven-member board of
commissioners, all of whom are required to be qualified voters of East Baton Rouge Parish
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and have their principal place of business or profession in, or own property in, the district.
Provides that members are appointed as follows:
(1) One member appointed at-large by the mayor-president.
(2) One member appointed by the mayor-president from a list of four nominees
submitted by the Greater Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce.
(3) One member appointed by the mayor-president from a list of four nominees
submitted by the Riverside Association.
(4) Two members appointed by the mayor-president from a list of six nominees
submitted by property owners and lessees of property located within the boundaries
of the district.
(5) One member appointed by the mayor-president who shall be a resident of Spanish
Town.
(6) One member appointed by the mayor-president who shall be a resident of
Beauregard Town.
Present law provides that all appointments must be approved by the metro council.
Proposed law retains a seven-member board but removes the one appointment by the
mayor-president from a list of four nominees submitted by the Riverside Association and the
two appointments by the mayor-president from a list of six nominees submitted by property
owners and lessees of property located within the boundaries of the district. Proposed law
adds three appointments by the mayor-president who shall be property owners or lessees of
property located within the boundaries of the district. Provides that at least one member
shall be a property owner and at least one member shall be a lessee. Additionally provides
that the three appointments must be approved by the metro council. Proposed law changes
the name of the Greater Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce to the Greater Baton
Rouge Economic Partnership.
Present law provides that members serve three-year terms. Provides that the members of the
board serving on the effective date of proposed law shall continue to serve until the
expiration of their current terms. Additionally provides that members shall not serve more
than two consecutive terms; provided however, if a member is appointed to fill an unexpired
term, his term shall not be considered in calculating the limitation on consecutive terms.
Present law provides that members shall serve without compensation.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that members shall receive a travel allowance as reimbursement for
expenses incurred while attending to the business of the board or the district.
Proposed law removes present law and instead provides that members may receive a travel
allowance as reimbursement for expenses incurred while attending a conference, educational
event, or meeting on behalf of the district if the conference, event, or meeting is held outside
the boundaries of East Baton Rouge Parish and is approved in advance by the board and the
executive director of the district.
Proposed law requires the metro council to appoint an executive director for the district who
has been recommended by the board. Requires the executive director to appoint an assistant
executive director and to hire or contract other professional, clerical, and support staff as
deemed necessary by the board.
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Proposed law provides for the powers and duties of the district, including but not limited to
the following:
(1) To sue and be sued.
(2) To adopt and use a seal and authorize the use of a facsimile thereof.
(3) To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, or lease movable or immovable property and to
dispose of such property.
(4) To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary to the business of the
district or convenient to the exercise of its powers.
(5) To contract for the services of consultants to perform planning, engineering,
financial, legal, or other appropriate services of a professional nature.
(6) To receive by gift, grant, loan, or donation any sum of money or property, aid, or
assistance from the U.S., the state of La., or any political subdivision thereof, or any
person, firm, or corporation and to hold, use, and dispose of such monies or property
for any district purposes in accordance with the terms of the agreement of the gift,
grant, loan, or donation.
(7) To borrow money and issue bonds, certificates, warrants, notes, or other evidences
of indebtedness.
Present law requires the board to prepare or cause to be prepared a plan(s) specifying the
public improvements, facilities, and services proposed to be furnished, constructed, or
acquired for the district. Proposed law instead requires the district to prepare or cause to be
prepared a plan(s).
Present law provides that the any plan may specify and encompass any public services,
capital improvements, and facilities which the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East
Baton Rouge are authorized to undertake, furnish, or provide under the constitution and laws
of the state. Requires that any plan include:
(1) An estimate of the annual and total cost of acquiring, constructing, or providing the
services, improvements, or facilities set forth therein.
(2) The proportion of the tax to be levied on the taxable real property within the district
which is to be set aside for certain purposes.
(3) An estimate of the total number of mills required to be levied each year on the
taxable real property within the district in order to provide the funds required for the
implementation of the plan.
Proposed law removes present law.
Present law requires the board to submit the plan to the city-parish planning commission
who shall review the plan and determine whether or not it is consistent with the
comprehensive plan for the city of Baton Rouge. Requires the planning commission, within
30 days following receipt of the plan, to submit to the metro council its written opinion as
to whether or not the plan or any portion or detail thereof is inconsistent with the
comprehensive plan for the city, together with its written comments and recommendations
with respect thereto.
Present law provides that after receipt of the plan together with the written comments and
recommendations of the city-parish planning commission, the metro council shall review and
consider the plan together with the written comments and recommendations. Authorizes the
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metro council, by a majority vote of all its members, to adopt or reject the plan as originally
submitted by the board or to alter or modify the plan or any portion or detail thereof.
Proposed law removes present law.
Present law additionally authorizes the board to prepare and submit directly to the metro
council a plan(s) setting forth its intention to employ professional consultants, experts, and
such other advisors and personnel as it shall deem to be necessary or convenient to assist in
the preparation of a plan(s). Requires that the plan(s) specify the services proposed to be
rendered by such employees, an estimate of the aggregate of the proposed salaries of such
employees, and an estimate of the other expenses of the board required for the preparation
of such plan(s), together with a request that a tax in an amount sufficient to cover the costs
of such salaries and expenses be levied on the real property within the district. Further
requires that the plan include a proposed budget of income and expenditure specified source
of funding for each of the years the tax is to run.
Present law requires the metro council to review and consider such plan within 30 days
following submission to it by the board and to adopt or reject such plan by a majority vote
of its members.
Proposed law removes present law.
Present law provides that if no plan is finally and conclusively adopted within four years
after the effective date of present law, all power and authority shall lapse, the district shall
be dissolved, and all power and authority incident thereto shall become null and void as a
matter of law.
Proposed law removes present law.
Present law provides that all services to be furnished within the district pursuant to any plan
finally and conclusively adopted shall be furnished, supplied, and administered by the
city-parish through its regularly constituted departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and
instrumentalities.
Proposed law provides that such services may be furnished, supplied, and administered by
the city-parish. Additionally provides that all services may also be furnished, supplied, and
administered by the district.
Present law provides that all capital improvements and facilities to be acquired, constructed,
or provided within the district shall be acquired, constructed or provided by the city-parish
through its regularly constituted departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and
instrumentalities.
Proposed law provides that such capital improvements and facilities may be acquired,
constructed, or provided by the city-parish.
Present law authorizes the board to enter into inter-governmental local service contracts with
the city-parish to provide services or to provide, construct, or acquire capital improvements
or facilities.
Proposed law instead authorizes the district to enter into inter-governmental local service
contracts for such purposes.
Present law provides that the cost of services, capital improvements, or facilities shall be
paid for by the district from the proceeds of the special tax levied upon real property within
the district or from the proceeds of bonds.
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Proposed law retains present law and provides that the cost of services, capital
improvements, or facilities shall also be paid for by the district from proceeds from the city-
parish.
Present law provides that the district may pay the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East
Baton Rouge funds for services rendered by the city-parish under a local services contract
between the district and the city-parish.
Proposed law removes present law and instead authorizes the district to contract with the
city-parish for services rendered on behalf of the district.
(Amends R.S. 33:2740.8(D), (E)(2) and (5), (F)-(I), and (N))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the original bill:
1. Make changes to the qualifications of board members.
2. Remove proposed law provisions that provide for initial terms for certain board
members.
3. Remove proposed law provisions that provide for the termination of the terms of
certain board members.
4. Add provisions that provide that current board members shall continue to serve
until the expiration of their terms.
5. Add to the powers and duties of the district.
6. Remove proposed law provisions that authorize the district to make purchases
of less than $50,000 with the approval of the metro council.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
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