WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 282

SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Authorizes the creation of a cooperative economic development district affiliated with Baton Rouge Community College in East Baton Rouge Parish. (gov sig)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow

Creates the BRCC Economic Development District in East Baton Rouge Parish to pursue development, fund projects, and levy taxes/assessments with debt powers.

Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 282

Summary of Bill SB 282 (2026) – Louisiana

Jurisdiction: Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish
Title: SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Authorizes the creation of a cooperative economic development district affiliated with Baton Rouge Community College in East Baton Rouge Parish. (gov sig)

Audience: Readers seeking a clear, nonpartisan overview of the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential impact.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a Baton Rouge Community College Economic Development District (BRCC EDD) in East Baton Rouge Parish.
  • The district is created to pursue cooperative economic and community development among Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC), the local government, the state, and property owners within the district.
  • The district is authorized to operate with powers typically available to special districts, including tax increment financing, debt issuance, and the levy of taxes or assessments, subject to specified conditions.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Creation and Scope

    • Creates the BRCC Economic Development District (BRCC EDD) in East Baton Rouge Parish, with BRCC properties as part of the district.
    • The district is a political subdivision of the state with rights, powers, and immunities of a political subdivision.

  2. Boundaries and Exclusions

    • The BRCC EDD generally covers an area within the city of Baton Rouge.
    • Residential properties are largely excluded from the district as of January 24, 2026 (with limited hotel/inn-type accommodations allowed temporarily).

  3. Governance

    • A board of commissioners governs the district.
    • Composition:
      • The highest executive officer (HEO) of BRCC appoints four members and serves as chairman.
      • Two additional board members are representatives from district businesses.
    • Terms and appointments:
      • Five-year terms; initial terms: two members for two years, two members for three years (determined by lot).
      • The BRCC president serves as long as he/she remains BRCC president.
      • Vacancies filled in the same manner as the original appointments; interim appointees if vacancy not filled within 60 days.
    • Removal for cause by 3/4 vote; no salary for board members (expenses reimbursable).
    • Officers: board elects a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer (may combine secretary and treasurer).
    • Meetings: regular at least once a year; special sessions as convened; quorum is a majority.
    • Domicile and official journal: district domicile determined by board; official journal coincides with the parish journal.

  4. Powers and Activities

    • The district can sue and be sued; own a corporate seal; acquire property; enter into contracts; incur debt and issue various forms of indebtedness; and levy taxes or special assessments as authorized by law.
    • Public improvements: can develop projects for BRCC’s benefit, directly or via affiliated private foundations or nonprofit corporations.
    • Economic development: can exercise powers of an economic development district (e.g., tax increment financing) and of a community development district (e.g., funding public facilities via special assessments).
    • Taxation and assessments: procedures for levying taxes/assessments, including voter approval requirements (unless no qualified electors reside in the district). Creation of subdistricts with identical powers is allowed.

  5. Tax Increment Financing and Incentives

    • The district/subdistrict may receive a portion of designated incremental sales/use tax revenue, possibly including hotel occupancy taxes, if designated by the Baton Rouge city/parish as the recipient entity.
    • Increment revenue can exceed pre-existing designated revenues for the district.

  6. Debt and Financial Arrangements

    • The district may issue bonds and other debt instruments to fund projects and operations.
    • Bonds are negotiable and secured by district revenues (not the full faith and credit of the state or local government).
    • Provisions cover bond issuance, terms, sale, redemption, reserves, investment security, and protections for public deposits.
    • Public review: a 30-day contest period is allowed for challenges to the bond resolution; after that, legality is presumed.

  7. Limitation and Dissolution

    • The district dissolves no later than the later of:
      • One year after all debt is fully repaid, or
      • 50 years from creation.

  8. Effective Date

    • Effective upon the governor’s signature or, if not signed, upon gubernatorial action as allowed by law.

Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) and its property within the BRCC EDD.
  • District residents and property owners within the BRCC EDD boundaries (with residential properties largely excluded).
  • Local government of East Baton Rouge Parish and the City of Baton Rouge (as Designated recipient entities for certain tax increments and hotel occupancy taxes).
  • Private foundations or nonprofit affiliates connected with BRCC for potential project funding.
  • Bond markets and service providers involved in district debt issuance and management.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Creation is authorized by statute and bound to an ordinance creating the district.
  • Tax and assessment levies require notice and public hearings; elections are required for tax/assessment levies unless there are no qualified electors.
  • Subdistricts may be created and governed similarly to the main district.
  • Debt issuance requires oversight and approval processes, including State Bond Commission involvement.
  • Dissolution timing is fixed (up to 50 years from creation, or earlier once debt is repaid).

Notes

  • The bill is designated as a government-signal measure (gov sig) and has been reported favorably in committee.
  • A co-sponsor is Regina Barrow.
  • The text adds a new R.S. 33:9038.82 establishing the BRCC Economic Development District and its governance framework.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with existing Louisiana district laws (economic development districts, community development districts, and tax increment financing) to illustrate how SB 282 aligns with or diverges from current practice.

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

Sign in to ask a question.