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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 217
BY REPRESENTATIVES CHANCE HENRY, BACALA, BAMBURG, BILLINGS,
BRYANT, CHASSION, COX, FISHER, HEBERT, JACKSON, TRAVIS
JOHNSON, MANDIE LANDRY, TERRY LANDRY, MARCELLE, MARTINEZ,
MCMAHEN, WALTERS, WYBLE, AND YOUNG AND SENATORS BARROW,
BOUDREAUX, JACKSON-ANDREWS, JENKINS, AND PRICE
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 47:1703.2, relative to ad valorem taxes; to provide for ad valorem property tax
3 exemptions; to authorize parishes to grant ad valorem tax exemptions for certain
4 property; to provide for administration of the exemptions; to provide for definitions;
5 to provide for limitations and requirements; to authorize the promulgation of rules;
6 to provide for applicability; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related
7 matters.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 47:1703.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 §1703.2. Exemption; optional exemption for certain rehabilitated property
11 A. The purpose of this Section is to provide for implementation of the
12 optional ad valorem tax exemption authorized pursuant to Article VII, Section 21(P)
13 of the Constitution of Louisiana for blighted or derelict property that has been
14 rehabilitated. If implemented by a parish, the exemption shall apply to all millages
15 imposed within the parish and shall be subject to the conditions, requirements, and
16 limitations established in this Section.
17 B. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings
18 ascribed to them in this Subsection:
19 (1) "Blighted property" means any immovable property that has been
20 declared or certified as blighted and declared a public nuisance by a court of
21 competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing officer acting in accordance with
22 applicable law.
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1 (2) "Derelict property" means any building or other structure which has any
2 of the following characteristics:
3 (a) Is structurally unsafe.
4 (b) Does not have adequate egress.
5 (c) Constitutes a fire hazard.
6 (d) Is otherwise dangerous to human life.
7 (e) Because of existing use or condition, constitutes a hazard to public safety,
8 health, or welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence,
9 fire hazard, or abandonment.
10 C. A parish governing authority may, by resolution, elect to implement the
11 ad valorem tax exemption authorized in Article VII, Section 21(P) of the
12 Constitution of Louisiana for blighted or derelict property that has been rehabilitated.
13 Any parish governing authority that elects to implement the exemption shall
14 establish all of the following:
15 (1) A process by which a property owner may apply for the exemption.
16 (2) Rehabilitation standards that a property must meet in order to qualify for
17 the exemption.
18 (3) Criteria for approving an application for the exemption.
19 (4) Conditions for revocation of a previously approved exemption.
20 (5) Any other policies or procedures as may be necessary for administration
21 of the exemption.
22 D. The terms of the exemption shall be as follows:
23 (1) For residential property, not more than seventy-five percent of the
24 assessed value of the property may be exempted from ad valorem taxation for a
25 period not exceeding twenty years.
26 (2) For a tract or lot of unimproved land, not more than twenty-five percent
27 of the assessed value of the property may be exempted from ad valorem taxation for
28 a period not exceeding ten years. In order to qualify for the exemption, a tract or lot
29 of unimproved land shall be adjacent to a tract or lot upon which a residential or
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1 commercial structure is situated. No property owner may be granted exemptions for
2 more than two tracts or lots of unimproved land.
3 E. No property owner shall be eligible for any exemption authorized
4 pursuant to this Section unless the owner holds title to the property identified in the
5 application for the exemption.
6 F. The Louisiana Tax Commission may promulgate rules in accordance with
7 the Administrative Procedure Act as are necessary to implement the provisions of
8 this Section.
9 G. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, a parish or
10 municipality may elect, by ordinance or resolution, to opt out of the property tax
11 limitations established herein for properties that are:
12 (1) Located within a designated redevelopment area, blight elimination zone,
13 or similar district established by the governing authority; and
14 (2) Subject to an adopted redevelopment plan that includes the use of
15 property tax revenues to support public financing mechanisms, including but not
16 limited to bonds, reimbursements, or other tools intended to address appraisal gaps
17 or fund site preparation, infrastructure, or redevelopment costs.
18 H. For purposes of this Section, a redevelopment area may include any
19 geographic area designated by the governing authority, including areas up to and
20 including the full jurisdictional boundaries of the governing authority, as defined in
21 the adopted redevelopment plan.
22 I. The governing authority may designate one or more public entities,
23 nonprofit organizations, or qualified development entities to support the creation,
24 implementation, or administration of redevelopment plans, to assist in accessing or
25 deploying financing mechanisms authorized under such plans, and to facilitate or
26 undertake redevelopment activities necessary to carry out such plans.
27 J. The duration, scope, and application of any such election shall be
28 determined by the governing authority in accordance with the adopted
29 redevelopment plan and applicable law.
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1 K. Any governing authority or designated entity responsible for the
2 administration or investment of property tax revenues pursuant to a redevelopment
3 plan adopted under this Section that includes the use of such revenues to support the
4 redevelopment of blighted or formerly blighted properties shall be subject to
5 financial oversight, including periodic audits or financial reporting, in accordance
6 with applicable law or as determined appropriate by the governing authority.
7 Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall apply to tax years beginning on or after
8 January 1, 2027.
9 Section 3. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027, but only if the
10 proposed amendment of Article VII of the Constitution of Louisiana contained in the Act
11 which originated as House Bill No. 214 of this 2026 Regular Session of the Legislature is
12 adopted at a statewide election and becomes effective.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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