WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SR 196

BLIGHTED PROPERTY: Creates a statewide taskforce to study and make recommendations on implementing a comprehensive plan to address property blight within the state.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow

Creates a statewide, data-driven plan to reduce and prevent property blight through a cross-sector Task Force with recommendations and proposed legislation.

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time by title and adopted.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 196

Summary of SB SR 196 (Louisiana, 2026)

Purpose and objective

  • Establishes the Task Force on Blight (a statewide advisory body) to study and make recommendations on implementing a comprehensive plan to address property blight across Louisiana.
  • The task force is tasked with producing a written report with proposals for legislation and concrete recommendations, due no later than March 1, 2027, and to submit to the Legislature and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by law.

Key provisions and focus areas

  • Mission items the task force should consider: 1) A strategic plan to abate blight within the state. 2) Data-driven decision-making. 3) Strategic deployment of resources and place-based revitalization.
  • The resolution notes the history of blight-enabling statutes in Louisiana (Urban Land-Banking Law, Slum Clearance Law, Louisiana Housing Preservation Act) and aims to study and enhance a comprehensive statewide approach.

Membership and leadership

  • The task force is to be chaired by the president of the Senate or a designee.
  • Members will include:
    • Speaker of the House or designee.
    • Chairmen of the Senate Local and Municipal Affairs Committee and the House Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee (or designees).
    • Local government and university representation:
    • Mayor of New Orleans (or designee)
    • Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish (or designee)
    • Mayor of Shreveport (or designee)
    • Representatives from state and quasi-public bodies:
    • Executive directors (or designees) of:
      • Louisiana Municipal Association
      • Louisiana Police Jury Association
      • Louisiana Housing Corporation
      • Louisiana Department of Health (Secretary or designee)
      • LSU System (President or designee)
      • Southern University System (President or designee)
  • The composition includes a mix of municipal leadership, parish leadership, and state agency representation to provide a comprehensive view on blight issues.

Administrative and procedural details

  • Designating authorities must submit designee names to the Senate secretary by August 1, 2026.
  • The task force must convene its first meeting by September 15, 2026; meetings will be at the chairman’s call.
  • The task force will be staffed by the Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs.
  • Quorum and voting:
    • A majority constitutes a quorum.
    • Official actions require a majority vote of the members.
  • Meetings fall under the Open Meetings Law, and records fall under the Public Records Law.
  • Members serve without compensation, though they may receive per diem or expense reimbursement as allowed for their primary positions.
  • Termination: The task force terminates upon submission of its report or by June 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.

Who is affected

  • State legislators and the broader Louisiana policymaking community will receive a detailed, data-driven blueprint for blight abatement.
  • Local governments (cities and parishes) may be directly influenced by the task force’s recommendations and any resulting legislation.
  • State agencies and higher education systems participate as advisory members, aligning health, housing, and university resources with blight mitigation strategies.

Timeline essentials

  • August 1, 2026: Designating authorities submit designee names.
  • September 15, 2026: First task force meeting.
  • March 1, 2027: Deadline to submit written report and recommendations to the Legislature and Poynter Library (as required by RS 24:771-772).
  • June 1, 2027: Potential termination date if not concluded earlier.

Overall impact

  • The bill creates a formal, cross-sector body to craft a statewide, data-informed plan to reduce and prevent blighted property.
  • It emphasizes strategic resource deployment and place-based revitalization, aiming to translate historical blight efforts into a cohesive, modernized statewide plan.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.