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HB 836

LEVEES/BDS & DISTRICTS: Modifies the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Hilferty

The bill strengthens SLFPA-E governance by requiring at least four board members to be engineers or qualified in hydraulic, geotechnical, hydrological, or environmental sciences, a

Reported by substitute (14-0).
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Bill Summary · HB 836

Summary of HB 836 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Title

LEVEES/BDS & DISTRICTS: Modifies the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank

Purpose and Intent

  • Strengthen governance and qualifications for the boards of the two Southeast Louisiana flood protection authorities (East and West Bank).
  • Protect existing rights, contracts, and obligations of levee districts within these authorities.
  • Ensure a diversified set of professional qualifications among board members, with an emphasis on engineering and hydraulic sciences.

Key Provisions

Territorial and Administrative Framework

  • The bill continues the established structure where the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPA-E) and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank (SLFPA-W) oversee specified levee districts and portions of parishes.
  • The authorities are charged with safeguarding the public from flooding, storm surge, and other flood-related issues, working cooperatively.

Protection of Rights and Obligations

  • The bill explicitly provides that lands and property within the included districts and parishes remain subject to taxation under the provisions of the relevant chapter.
  • Nothing in the bill shall be construed to impair existing rights, contracts, or obligations of these districts or parishes. This ensures continuity of previously established obligations and agreements.

Board Composition and Qualifications (East Bank focus)

  • The SLFPA-E board shall have nine members.
    • Geographic composition: one member from St. Bernard Parish, two from Jefferson Parish, three from Orleans Parish (residing within the authority’s territorial jurisdiction), and three members from outside the jurisdiction.
    • Appointment: Governors appoint from nominations submitted by the nominating committee. -Professional qualifications: At least four members must be engineers or professionals in related fields (including geotechnical, hydraulic, hydrological, or environmental sciences). Importantly, the bill adds hydraulic science as an eligible field, in addition to the existing geotechnical, hydrological, and environmental science qualifications. Among the four engineers/related professionals, one must be a civil engineer.

West Bank (Summary)

  • The bill references the West Bank levee districts within SLFPA-W and their inclusion under existing law, with protections for rights and contracts intact. The core changes primarily affect SLFPA-E’s board qualifications and the overall requirement that both authorities collaborate to address flood risks.

Who Is Affected

  • Levee districts and parishes within SLFPA-E and SLFPA-W (including West Jefferson and Algiers Levee Districts and portions of their parishes, as applicable).
  • The governing boards of SLFPA-E and SLFPA-W, particularly SLFPA-E’s nine-member board and its qualification requirements.
  • Property owners within the included lands, who remain subject to taxation under the chapter.
  • Parties with existing contracts or obligations tied to these districts, as protections are codified.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective and enforceable provisions would amend and reenact specific sections of R.S. 38:330.1(B)(2)(a)(intro. paragraph) and (b) and (C)(1)(a)(i).
  • The bill follows the standard Louisiana legislative process: introduced, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, with action history indicating passage by substitute and status updates for consideration in 2026.
  • Sponsorship: Representative Stephanie Hilferty (co-sponsor listed).

Practical Impact

  • Enhances technical leadership on SLFPA-E by requiring at least four board members to have strong engineering or hydraulic science credentials, including the explicit addition of hydraulic science.
  • Aims to improve decision-making related to flood protection by elevating professional expertise on the board while preserving existing rights and contractual obligations.
  • Maintains the structural authority and cooperative framework between SLFPA-E and SLFPA-W for addressing flood risks in southeast Louisiana.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current law to highlight all specific changes in language.

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

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