SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Provides for changes to the Baker Economic Development District. (gov sig)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow

SB 281 redefines the Baker Economic Development District boundaries to adjust parcels along Plank Road while preserving the district’s economic development authority.

Effective date 5/30/2026.

Purpose and Intent

The bill amends and reenacts the statute governing the Baker Economic Development District (BEDD), a special taxing district and political subdivision of the state, to modify the district’s boundaries while preserving its overall purpose of promoting cooperative economic development and redevelopment within Baker.

Key Provisions and Changes

Authority and Purpose (unchanged): The BEDD remains a special taxing district with a mandate to support cooperative economic development and redevelopment of property within the district’s boundaries in the City of Baker.

Boundaries (modified): The primary substantive change is to the district’s boundaries. SB 281 specifically amends R.S. 33:9038.71(B) to redefine the parcels of land that border Plank Road within the Baker city limits, detailing a starting point at the northern Baker city limits on Plank Road and describing the land parcels and tracts contiguously adjacent to identified parcels (including references to TR 2004, various lots, and surrounding parcels). The exact land descriptions are complex, enumerating multiple parcels and tract identifiers to delineate the new boundary line.

Effective Date: The act becomes effective upon signature by the governor or, if not signed, upon expiration of the constitutional gubernatorial action period. If vetoed but subsequently approved by the legislature, it becomes effective the day after such approval.

Who or What Would Be Affected

Property Within the BEDD: The area encompassed by the BEDD boundaries would be altered to include or exclude specific parcels bordering Plank Road within Baker’s city limits. This can affect:

The scope of the BEDD’s taxing authority.
The district’s ability to fund redevelopment projects, incentives, or infrastructure improvements through district taxing mechanisms.

Property Owners and Developers: Landowners and developers within the newly defined boundary could be subject to BEDD financing tools (e.g., special assessments or tax increment mechanisms) to fund district-directed redevelopment.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Legislative Action: SB 281 passed out of committee with amendments and has an enacted status subject to governor’s signature.

Effective Date Contingency: The bill’s effectiveness depends on gubernatorial action (signature or expiration of the waiting period). If vetoed and overridden, the act becomes effective upon approval.

Precedent/Context: The bill maintains existing BEDD authority and purpose while narrowing or expanding the district’s geographic footprint via boundary changes.

Notable Details

The boundary description is highly technical and cites specific land parcels and tract identifiers, indicating a precise redrawing of the BEDD perimeter along Plank Road within Baker.

The sponsor is Senator Regina Barrow (with co-sponsor indicated in the bill’s record).

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language map-like description of the boundary changes or compare the current boundary language to the proposed changes using parcel references.

Bill