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HB 444

DISTRICTS/RECREATION: Provides relative to the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Denise Marcelle

HB 444 would expand the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission to 11 members (7 ex officio, 4 appointed) with a six-member quorum and new ex officio reps from state legisl

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 39, nays 50. Failed to pass.
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Bill Summary · HB 444

Summary of HB 444 (2026) – Louisiana

Purpose and intent

  • HB 444 proposes to modify the membership structure of the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge.
  • The core goal is to expand the commission from 9 to 11 members by adding two ex officio members and adjusting quorum rules, while preserving the Authority’s broad function to plan, own, and operate public recreational and park facilities in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Key provisions and changes

Membership changes

  • Present law: The Commission has 9 members total:
    • 5 ex officio members (the mayors of Baker, Baton Rouge, Central, St. George, and Zachary; each may designate a replacement).
    • 4 appointed members (appointed by the City of Baton Rouge for 3-year terms; at least 2 of these must be residents of Baton Rouge, and at least 1 must be from the unincorporated area of East Baton Rouge Parish).
  • Proposed law: The Commission would have 11 members total:
    • 7 ex officio members and 4 appointed members (increasing ex officio seats from 5 to 7).
    • The two additional ex officio members are:
    • The Louisiana State Senator representing District 14 (designatable by the senator for a designee).
    • The Louisiana State Representative representing District 61 (designatable by the representative for a designee).
  • Amendments adopted: The Senate district specification for the ex officio members was adjusted to reflect a change from District 14 to District 15 for the Senate member (per Committee amendments).

Appointment and terms

  • The four appointed members remain as “appointed by the governing authority of the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge” for three-year terms (as in present law).
  • Of the four appointed members, at least two must be residents of the City of Baton Rouge, and at least one must be a resident of the unincorporated area of East Baton Rouge Parish.
  • Appointed members continue to serve without compensation.
  • Designees may substitute for ex officio members, serving at the pleasure of the appointing/desiginating official.

Governance and administration

  • The Commission would elect from among its members:
    • A chairman
    • A vice chairman
    • A treasurer
    • These officers would serve one-year terms.
  • Quorum: Present law requires five members for a quorum. Proposed law increases the quorum to six members (reflecting the larger Commission size).

Executive and staff

  • The Commission retains the power to appoint and employ a superintendent (not a member of the Commission) and an ex officio secretary, and to set the superintendent’s salary.

Effective date

  • The act becomes effective upon signature by the governor or, if not signed, upon lapse of the gubernatorial action period as provided by the Louisiana Constitution. If vetoed and subsequently approved by the legislature, it becomes effective the day after that approval.

Who is affected

  • East Baton Rouge Parish residents (particularly those in Baton Rouge city and unincorporated areas) who serve as appointed commissioners.
  • Local government and surrounding municipalities within East Baton Rouge Parish who rely on the Commission to plan, own, and operate parks and recreational facilities.
  • State legislators (Senate District 15 and House District 61) who would have ex officio representation via designees.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • The bill’s action history shows committee amendments, floor consideration, and final passage attempts; the latest recorded action indicates a failed final passage vote on April 15, 2026, in the House, meaning the bill did not become law in that session unless revived or amended in a subsequent session.

This summary focuses on how HB 444 changes membership, governance, and operational mechanics of the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission, along with the practical implications for representation, quorum, and administration.

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

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