DISTRICTS/AIRPORT: Creates the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish

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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 743
BY REPRESENTATIVE ST. BLANC
DISTRICTS/AIRPORT: Creates the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St.
Mary Parish
1 AN ACT
2 To enact Subpart F of Part IV of Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
3 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 2:350.1 through 350.6, relative to the creation of the
4 Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District; to provide for the domicile, powers,
5 duties, functions, and governance of the district; to provide for the composition,
6 qualifications, and terms of the board of commissioners; to provide specific authority
7 to the board upon an approval date by the Federal Aviation Administration; to
8 require the submission of an annual financial report; to provide for local government
9 compliance; to provide for an effective date; and to 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. Subpart F of Part IV of Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Louisiana Revised
15 Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 2:350.1 through 350.6 is hereby enacted to read as
16 follows:
17 SUBPART F. HARRY P. WILLIAMS MEMORIAL AIRPORT DISTRICT
18 §350.1. Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District; creation
19 There is hereby created the "Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District",
20 hereinafter referred to in this Subpart as the "district" subject to approval by a
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1 majority vote of the St. Mary Parish Council and approval by the Federal Aviation
2 Administration (FAA). The district shall come into existence upon such approvals.
3 The district shall be a political subdivision of the state within the meaning of Article
4 VI, Section 30 through 33 of the Constitution of Louisiana and those provisions of
5 the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 applicable to airport districts and the levy of
6 taxes, the incurring of debt, and the issuing of bonds by those districts, provided that
7 any proposal to levy taxes shall require prior approval of the St. Mary Parish
8 Council.
9 §350.2. Domicile
10 A. The domicile of the district shall be in St. Mary Parish. The domicile
11 may be changed to any place located within the boundaries of the district or may be
12 the seat of any political subdivision, a portion of which is included within the
13 boundaries of the district, provided the board approves the change in domicile.
14 B. The boundaries of the district shall be coterminous with the boundaries
15 of St. Mary Parish, consisting of the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport as per
16 plats, reflecting the aeronautical, commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas of the
17 area currently designed for aeronautical purpose in the unincorporated area of St.
18 Mary Parish.
19 C. The district shall maintain suitable offices in St. Mary Parish.
20 §350.3. Board of commissioners; appointments; terms; vacancies; qualifications
21 A.(1) The district shall be governed by a board of commissioners, referred
22 to in this Subpart as the "board".
23 (2) The board shall be composed of seven members, all of whom shall be
24 citizens of the United States and residents of St. Mary Parish. The St. Mary Parish
25 Council shall have the authority to appoint all members of the board and may, by
26 majority vote, remove and replace any member.
27 (3) At a minimum, a board member shall have experience in aviation,
28 business, accounting, finance, marketing, engineering, law, real estate, economic
29 development, management, or another field of value to operation of the airport. A
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1 full-time employee of local government shall not be eligible for appointment to the
2 board, except for those responsible for economic development in the parish.
3 (4)(a) Members of the current St. Mary Parish Airport Advisory Committee
4 shall serve as the district board members for the remainder of their current terms.
5 Upon expiration of their terms, successors are to be appointed as provided in this
6 Subpart, and may serve up to three additional terms of five years.
7 (b) Service by a board member for four or more years of a term shall be
8 considered a five-year term for determining the number of terms.
9 (c) Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled by a majority
10 vote of the St. Mary Parish Council for the remainder of the unexpired term.
11 (d) Any member of the board may be removed for cause upon the
12 recommendation of the majority of the board.
13 (5)(a) The board shall elect from its own members a chairperson, a vice
14 chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer whose duties shall be those usual to such
15 offices. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by one person.
16 (b) The members of the board shall serve without compensation.
17 (6)(a) The board shall meet in regular session once each month and shall also
18 meet in special session as often as the chairperson convenes the board or on the
19 written request of at least three members. Four members of the district board present
20 at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. A consensus of a majority of those present
21 shall be required to pass an agenda item.
22 (b) The board shall prescribe rules to govern its meetings, and the
23 chairperson shall be entitled to a vote.
24 §350.4. Powers of the board
25 A.(1) The district is a public corporation and has all powers of public
26 corporations including the right and power to incur debt and contract obligations, to
27 sue and be sued, to have a corporate seal, and to perform in its corporate capacity and
28 in its corporate name all acts necessary and proper for the purpose of acquiring,
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1 constructing, maintaining, and operating airport and airport facilities, including both
2 movable and immovable property within its jurisdiction.
3 (2)(a) The district shall have all the authority as provided in R.S. 2:326 et
4 seq., and upon the "approval date" the board shall acquire the following powers:
5 (i) Accessibility to the FAA's approval of the assignment of existing grant
6 agreements to the district, in the case of an uncertified report, the date specified in
7 the agreement under which the airport is to be transferred to the district.
8 (ii) Enter into contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the
9 performance of its duties and execution of its powers under this Subpart with a
10 department or agency of the United States, with a state or local governmental
11 agency, or with another person, public or private, with terms and conditions
12 acceptable to the district.
13 (iii) Exercise exclusive responsibility to study and plan any improvements,
14 expansion, or enhancements that affect the airport and commission planning,
15 engineering, economic, and other studies to provide information for making
16 decisions about the location, design, management, and other features of the airport
17 or airport facilities.
18 (iv) Exercise responsibility for developing all aspects of the airport and
19 airport facilities, including but not limited to all the locations of terminals, hangars,
20 aids to air navigation, parking lots and structures, cargo facilities, and all other
21 facilities and services necessary to serve passengers and other customers of the
22 airport.
23 (v) Obtain street and highway access, including ingress and egress, with the
24 objective of minimizing, to the extent practicable, traffic congestion on access routes
25 in the vicinity of the airport.
26 (vi) Participate in demonstration programs and economic development that
27 directly benefits the airport.
28 (vii) Act as a sponsor and submit requests for, accept, and be responsible to
29 perform all of the assurance associated with accepting grants from the FAA, or
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1 another agency of the United States or of this state, with respect to the airport under
2 the operational jurisdiction of the district, and perform the duties and responsibilities
3 previously assumed by the local government by virtue of its acceptance of grants
4 from the FAA or another agency of the United States or this state. The district shall
5 serve as the agent of the local government for the preparation, submission, execution,
6 and administration of any state or federal grants pending the effective date of this
7 Subpart.
8 (b) For purposes of this Subsection, "approval date" shall mean the date on
9 which the FAA issues a certificate to the district, conferring operational jurisdiction
10 over the airport under 14 CFR Part 139.
11 B. The district shall have the additional power to do the following:
12 (1) Acquire and assume the exclusive right, responsibility, and authority to
13 occupy, operate, control, and use the airport and the airport facilities owned by the
14 local government on that date, or under the jurisdiction of the St. Mary Parish
15 Council, subject only to any restrictions imposed by this Subpart.
16 (2) Exclusive rights and authority to occupy, operate, control, and use the
17 airport facilities.
18 (3) Acquire the operational jurisdiction over all real property of the airport
19 under its jurisdiction, including but not limited to terminals, runways, taxiways,
20 aprons, hangars, aids to air navigation, vehicles or facilities, parking facilities for
21 passengers and employees, and all buildings and facilities used to operate, maintain,
22 and manage the airport, including governmental, industrial, commercial, and
23 agricultural properties within the geographical area of the airports property, subject
24 to any liens on the real property and restrictions and limitations on the use of the real
25 property.
26 (4) Assume the local government's right, title, and interest in, and to all of
27 the local government's responsibilities arising under leases, concessions, and other
28 contracts for the airport facilities.
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1 (5) Assume all financial obligations secured by revenues and fees generated
2 from the operations of the airport, including but not limited to airport revenue bonds,
3 special facilities revenue bonds, and all bonded indebtedness associated with the
4 airport.
5 (6) Assume ownership of all cash balances and investments relating to or
6 resulting from operations of the airport for which operational jurisdiction has been
7 transferred to the district, all money held under an ordinance, resolution, or indenture
8 related to or securing obligations of the local government that have been assumed by
9 the district, all of the accounts receivable or actions arising from operations of the
10 airport, and all benefits of contracts and agreements.
11 (7) Assume ownership of all vehicles, office equipment, furniture and
12 furnishings, and movable assets, including but not limited to computers, records and
13 files, software licenses required for financial management, personnel management,
14 accounting and inventory systems, and general administration.
15 §350.5. Annual financial report; audit
16 The district shall submit an annual financial report disclosing all receipts and
17 disbursements to the St. Mary Parish Council within one hundred twenty days
18 following the end of each calender year.
19 §350.6. Local government compliance
20 The local government shall comply with all of the following:
21 (1) Refrain from any action that would impair the district's exercise of the
22 powers granted to it under this Subpart or that could cause the district to violate its
23 rate or bond covenants.
24 (2) Refrain from any action to sell, transfer, or otherwise encumber or
25 dispose of airport facilities owned by the local government without the consent of
26 the district and, if necessary, the FAA.
27 (3) Take all action reasonably necessary to cure any defects in title to airport
28 facilities transferred to the district.
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1 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
2 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
3 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
4 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
5 effective on the day following such approval.
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 743 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session St. Blanc
Abstract: Creates the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District.
Proposed law (R.S. 2:350.1) creates the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District,
subject to a majority vote of the St. Mary Parish Council and approval by the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). Further requires prior approval of the St. Mary Parish
Council to levy taxes.
Proposed law (R.S. 2:350.2) specifies that the domicile of the district is in St. Mary Parish.
Further authorizes the board of commissioners to move the domicile to any place located
within the boundaries of the district. Also specifies that the domicile may be the seat of any
political subdivision, a portion of which is included within the boundaries of the district.
Proposed law requires that the boundaries of the district be coterminous with the boundaries
of St. Mary Parish, consisting of Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport per plats, for
aeronautical, commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas, designated for aeronautical
purpose in the unincorporated areas of St. Mary Parish.
Proposed law (R.S. 2:350.3) specifies that the control and management of the district is
vested in a board of commissioners composed of seven members. Requires all members be
citizens of the U.S. and residents of St. Mary Parish. Further authorizes the St. Mary Parish
Council to appoint all members of the board and to, by majority vote, remove and replace
any member.
Proposed law requires members have experience in aviation, business, accounting, finance,
marketing, engineering, law, real estate, economic development, management, or another
field of value to operation of the airport. Further prohibits full-time employees of local
government from being appointed to the board, except those responsible for the parish's
economic development.
Proposed law allows the current St. Mary Parish Airport Advisory Committee to serve the
remainder of their current terms. Additionally, requires that upon expiration of their terms,
successors are to be appointed as provided in proposed law, and may serve up to three
additional terms of five years. Further specifies that board members who serve four or more
years of a term will be considered to have served a five year term.
Proposed law specifies that any vacancies in board membership be filled by a majority vote
of the St. Mary Parish Council for the remainder of the unexpired term.
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Proposed law authorizes the removal of board members for cause upon the recommendation
of any member.
Proposed law requires the board elect from among its own members a chairperson, a vice
chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. Authorizes the offices of secretary and treasurer
to be held by one person.
Proposed law requires the board meet in regular session once each month and also meet in
special session as often as the chairperson convenes the board or on the written request of
three members. Additionally, specifies that a quorum is four members of the district board
present at a meeting. Further requires a simply majority vote to pass an agenda item.
Proposed law specifies the board members serve without compensation.
Proposed law requires the board to prescribe rules to govern its meetings, and allows the
chairperson to vote.
Proposed law (R.S. 2:350.4) specifies that the district is a public corporation and has all
powers of public corporations including the right and power to incur debt and contract
obligations, to sue and be sued, to have a corporate seal, and to perform in its corporate
capacity and in its corporate name all acts necessary and proper for the purpose of acquiring,
constructing, maintaining, and operating airports and airport facilities, including both
movable and immovable property within its jurisdiction.
Proposed law grants the district all authority as provided in present law and upon the
"approval date" which is defined as the date on which the FAA issues a certificate to the
district, conferring operational jurisdiction over the airport under present law, the board will
acquire the following powers:
(1) Accessibility to the FAA's approval of the assignment of existing grant agreements
to the district, in the case of an uncertified report, the date specified in the agreement
under which the airport is to be transferred to district.
(2) Enter into contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its
duties and execution of its powers under proposed law, with a department or agency
of the U.S., with a state or local governmental agency, or with another person, public
or private, with terms and conditions acceptable to the district.
(3) Exercise exclusive responsibility to study and plan any improvements, expansion,
or enhancements that affect the airport and commission planning, engineering,
economic, and other studies to provide information for making decisions about the
location, design, management, and other features of the airport or airport facilities.
(4) Exercise responsibility for developing all aspects of the airport and airport facilities,
including, but not limited to, all the location of terminals, hangars, aids to air
navigation, parking lots and structures, cargo facilities, and all other facilities and
services necessary to serve passengers and other customers of the airport.
(5) Obtain street and highway access with the objective of minimizing, to the extent
practicable, traffic congestion on access routes in the vicinity of the airport.
(6) Participate in demonstration programs and economic development that directly
benefits the district.
(7) Act as a sponsor and submit requests for, accept, and be responsible to perform all
of the assurance associated with accepting grants from the FAA, or another agency
of the U.S. or of this state, with respect to the airports under the operational
jurisdiction of the district, and perform the duties and responsibilities previously
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assumed by the local government by virtue of its acceptance of grants from the FAA
or another agency of the U.S. or this state. Requires the district to serve as the agent
of the local government for the preparation, submission, execution, and
administration of any state or federal grants pending on the effective date of
proposed law.
Proposed law specifies the district has the additional power to do the following:
(1) Acquire and assume the exclusive right, responsibility, and authority to occupy,
operate, control, and use, the airports and the airport facilities owned by the local
government on that date, or under the jurisdiction of the St. Mary Parish Council
subject only to any restrictions imposed by present law.
(2) Exclusive rights and authority to occupy, operate, control, and use the district
facilities.
(3) Acquire the operational jurisdiction over all real property of the district, including,
but not limited to, terminals, runways, taxiways, aprons, hangars, aids to air
navigation, vehicles or facilities, parking facilities for passengers and employees, and
all buildings and facilities used to operate, maintain, and manage the district,
including governmental, industrial, commercial and agricultural within the
geographical area of the airports property, subject to any liens on the real property
and restrictions and limitations on the use of real property.
(4) Assume the local government's right, title, and interest in, and to all of the local
government's responsibilities arising under leases, concessions, and other contracts
for the airport facilities.
(5) Assume all financial obligations secured by revenues and fees generated from the
operations of the district, including but not limited to airports revenue bonds, special
facilities revenue bonds, and all bonded indebtedness associated with the district.
(6) Assume ownership of all cash balances and investments relating to or resulting from
operations of the district for which operational jurisdiction has been transferred to
the district, all money held under an ordinance, resolution, or indenture related to or
securing obligations of the local government that have been assumed by the district,
all of the accounts receivable or actions arising from operations of the district, and
all benefits of contracts and agreements.
(7) Assume ownership of all vehicles, office equipment, furniture and furnishings, and
movable assets, including but not limited to computers, records and files, software
licenses required for financial management, personnel management, accounting and
inventory systems, and general administration.
Proposed law (R.S. 2:350.5) requires the district to submit an annual financial report
disclosing all receipts and disbursements to the St. Mary Parish Council, within 120 days
following the end of each calendar year.
Proposed law (R.S. 2:350.6) requires the local government comply with the following
requirements:
(1) Refrain from any action that would impair the district's exercise of the powers
granted to it under proposed law or that could cause the district to violate its rate or
bond covenants.
(2) Refrain from any action to sell, transfer, or otherwise encumber or dispose of airport
facilities owned by the local government without the consent of the district and, if
necessary, the FAA.
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(3) Take all action reasonably necessary to cure any defects in title to airport facilities
transferred to the district.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 2:350.1- 350.6)
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