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HB 484

DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Provides relative to the New Orleans Regional Business Park

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Candace Newell

Reduces the NORBPark board from 12 to 9 members and adds NASA and New Orleans Business Alliance appointments, while tightening vacancy and term rules.

Reported by substitute (14-0).
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 484

Summary of HB 484 (2026 Regular Session) – Louisiana

Overview

  • Title: DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Provides relative to the New Orleans Regional Business Park
  • Jurisdiction: Orleans Parish, Louisiana
  • Purpose: Change the composition and appointment rules for the Board of Commissioners that governs the New Orleans Regional Business Park (NORBPark). The reform focuses on reducing board size, adjusting appointing authorities, and streamlining vacancy and removal processes.

Main Intent

  • Modernize and simplify governance of the New Orleans Regional Business Park by:
    • Reducing the board size from 12 to 9 members.
    • Reallocating and altering appointing authorities for board seats.
    • Clarifying processes for vacancies, interim appointments, removal, and tenure.

Key Provisions and Changes

Board Composition (R.S. 33:4702(B)(2)(a), (d), (f), (3)(b) and (c), (6)(b) and (c))

  • Present law: 12-member board.
  • Proposed law: 9-member board.

New Appointments (adds)
- Ninety (1) appointment by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- One (1) appointment by the New Orleans Business Alliance.

Removed Appointments (removes)
- The U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district (one annual appointment).
- The State Senator from Senate District 1 (one appointment).
- The Mayor of New Orleans: number of appointments reduced from five to two, and the mayor is no longer required to select from lists provided by five designated entities.

Other existing appointing entities retained or adjusted
- The state senator from Senate District 1 and the district’s council district appointment (Councilperson representing Council District E) specifics are adjusted or removed according to the reduction in board size and appointment changes.

Vacancy and Interim Appointments (3)(b) and (c); (6)(b) and (c)

  • Present law: Vacancies filled within 60 days by the respective nominating entity; if not filled, the board appoints an interim successor; if unresolved after an additional 60 days, the Mayor appoints the member. Vacancies filled for the balance of the term within 15 days; former members cannot be re-nominated.
  • Proposed law: Replaces “nominating entity” with “appointing authority” in vacancy processes.
  • Interim appointment: If vacancy not filled within 60 days, the remaining board members appoint an interim successor.
  • Removal for absences: Maintains automatic disqualification if a member has unexcused absence for four consecutive meetings in a calendar year; the appointing authority fills the vacancy for the balance of the term.
  • Replacement: The remaining board or the appointing authority can replace a member as provided.

Removal and Term Continuity (6)(b) and (c)

  • Present law: Members may be removed by their appointing authority for cause; ex officio appointment rules limit serving beyond the appointing authority’s term without reappointment.
  • Proposed law: Maintains removal-for-cause; extends to all ex officio appointees, prohibiting service beyond the end of the appointing authority’s term unless reappointed, with eligibility for reappointment.

Who Is Affected

  • New Orleans Regional Business Park governance and operations.
  • The Mayor of New Orleans (revised appointment power).
  • NASA (new authority to appoint one board member).
  • The New Orleans Business Alliance (new authority to appoint one board member).
  • Other appointing authorities formerly represented (U.S. House Rep, certain state senators) see reduced role or removal.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill specifies appointment and vacancy timelines (60-day vacancy fill window; interim successors for delays; 15-day requirement to fill remainder of term after vacancy).
  • House action status: Referred to Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs (as of filing).
  • Effective date: Not stated in the excerpt; typical Louisiana practice would have an effective date upon enactment or a specified later date.

Additional Considerations

  • The bill includes technical amendments to align language (e.g., replacing “nominating entity” with “appointing authority”) to reflect the new governance structure.
  • The objective appears to be streamlined governance, diversified representation through NASA and the New Orleans Business Alliance, and clearer rules for vacancies and term limits.

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

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