HB 892

ENROLLED
 2026 Regular Session
  ACT No. 590
 HOUSE BILL NO. 892
 BY REPRESENTATIVES HILFERTY, BAYHAM, BILLINGS, CARVER, COX,
  DOMANGUE, FREIBERG, DANA HENRY, KNOX, LYONS, MARCELLE,
  MURRAY, AND SAWYER
1AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 33:2740.70.11, relative to the parishes of Jefferson and Orleans; to create the
3West End Economic Development District within the parishes; to provide relative
4to the boundaries, purpose, governance, and powers and duties of the district; to
5provide for district funding; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related
6matters.
7Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published
8as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of
9Louisiana.
10 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11Section 1. R.S. 33:2740.70.11 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
12§2740.70.11. West End Economic Development District
13A. There is hereby created within the parishes of Jefferson and Orleans, as
14more specifically provided in Subsection B of this Section, a body politic and
15corporate which shall be known as the West End Economic Development District,
16referred to in this Section as the "district".     The district shall be a political
17subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.
18B. The boundaries of the district shall encompass the following area:
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1(1) State Water Bottom Leases (West End Parking Lot)
2That certain piece or portion of ground, together with all the buildings and
3improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes,
4appurtenances and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining,
5situated township 12 south range 11 east, in the parish of Jefferson, state of
6Louisiana, is more fully described as follows:
7Commencing at the westerly and northerly point on a bulkhead running west
8to east along the projection of the northerly side of north roadway street having a
9coordinate of x=3,664,526.07 and y=556,664.20, said point lies in Jefferson parish
10and is also known as the point of beginning, thence along said bulkhead south 43
11degrees 31 minutes 18 seconds west a distance of 43.08 feet to a point, thence
12continuing along said bulkhead, south 01 degrees 16 minutes 43 seconds west a
13distance of 480.10 feet to a point, thence leaving said bulkhead south 01 degrees 16
14minutes 43 seconds west a distance of 59.11 feet to a point, thence south 69 degrees
1537 minutes 01 seconds west a distance of 115.92 feet to a point, thence north 19
16degrees 05 minutes 21 seconds west a distance of 161.44 feet to a point, thence north
1700 degrees 15 minutes 44 seconds west a distance of 323.44 feet to a point, thence
18south 89 degrees 44 minutes 05 seconds west a distance of 22.98 feet to a point,
19thence north 00 degrees 21 minutes 43 seconds west a distance of 216.31 feet to a
20point, thence north 51 degrees 38 minutes 44 seconds east a distance of 138.21 feet
21to a point, thence north 89 degrees 43 minutes 14 seconds east a distance of 205.23
22feet to a point, thence south 03 degrees 30 minutes 34 seconds west a distance of
23161.08 feet to a point on a bulkhead, thence along said bulkhead south 84 degrees
2428 minutes 50 seconds west a distance of 77.85 feet to the point of beginning
25containing an area of the lake Pontchartrain water bottom of 3.368 acres (146,719
26sqft). All as per survey by Batture LLC dated March 25,2026.
27(2) West End Parking Lot Parcel
28That certain piece or portion of ground, together with all the buildings and
29improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes,
30appurtenances and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining,
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1situated in the parish of Orleans, state of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as the
2seventh district of the city of new Orleans, a portion of the municipal yacht harbor,
3is more fully described as follows:
4Commencing at the westerly and northerly point on a bulkhead running west
5to east along the projection of the northerly side of north roadway street having a
6coordinate of x=3,664,526.07 and y=556,664.20, said point lies in Jefferson parish
7and is also known as the point of commencement, thence along said bulkhead north
884 degrees 28 minutes 50 seconds east a distance of 77.86 feet to an arrow cut on the
9boundary line of Jefferson parish and Orleans parish, also known as the point of
10beginning, thence north 84 degrees 28 minutes 21 seconds east a distance of 92.52
11feet to a point on the westerly curb of west roadway street, thence along a curve to
12the right having a chord bearing of south 24 degrees 54 minutes 40 seconds east,
13chord length of 140.38 feet, arc length of 141.11 feet and radius of 400.0 feet to an
14arrow cut, thence south 36 degrees 46 minutes 28 seconds east a distance of 47.42
15feet to a cross cut, thence along a curve to the left having a chord bearing of south
1621 degrees 54 minutes 47 seconds east, chord length of 211.89 feet, arc length of
17214.58 feet and radius of 390.0 feet to a cross cut, thence south 07 degrees 28
18minutes 40 seconds east a distance of 119.75 feet to a cross cut, thence south 05
19degrees 53 minutes 47 seconds east a distance of 66.54 feet to a cross cut, thence
20south 83 degrees 23 minutes 53 seconds west a distance of 318.47 feet to a cross cut
21on the boundary line of Jefferson parish and Orleans parish, thence along said
22boundary line north 03 degrees 30 minutes 34 seconds east a distance 575.67 feet to
23the point of beginning, containing an area of 2.998 acres (130,596- sqft). All as per
24survey by Batture LLC dated March 25, 2026.
25(3) Northern Parcel
26That certain piece or portion of ground, together with all the buildings and
27improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes,
28appurtenances and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining,
29situated in the parish of Orleans, state of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as the
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1seventh district of the city of new Orleans, a portion of the municipal yacht harbor,
2is more fully described as follows:
3Commencing at the westerly and northerly point on a bulkhead running west
4to east along the projection of the northerly side of north roadway street having a
5coordinate of x=3,664,526.07 and y=556,664.20, said point lies in Jefferson parish
6and is also known as the point of commencement, thence along said bulkhead north
784 degrees 28 minutes 50 seconds east a distance of 77.86 feet to an arrow cut on the
8boundary line of Jefferson parish and Orleans parish, also known as the point of
9beginning, thence north 03 degrees 30 minutes 34 seconds east feet along the
10boundary line of Jefferson and Orleans parish a distance of 251.00 to a point, thence
11leaving said boundary line south 87 degrees 52 minutes 33 seconds east a distance
12of 74.94 feet to a point on the westerly curb of breakwater drive, thence along said
13curb south 03 degrees 43 minutes 59 seconds west a distance of 134.20 feet to a
14point, thence along a curve to the right having a chord bearing of south 05 degrees
1545 minutes 22 seconds east, chord length of 105.46 feet, arc length of 105.70 feet
16and a radius of 450 feet to a point, thence north 84 degrees 28 minutes 21 seconds
17east a distance of 92.52 feet to the point of beginning, containing an area of 0.437
18acres (19,024 sqft). All as per survey by Batture LLC dated March 25, 2026.
19(4) Northern Water Bottom Parcel
20That certain piece or portion of ground, together with all the buildings and
21improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes,
22appurtenances and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining,
23situated in the parish of Orleans, state of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as the
24seventh district of the city of new Orleans, a portion of the municipal yacht harbor,
25is more fully described as follows:
26Commencing at the westerly and northerly point on a bulkhead running west
27to east along the projection of the northerly side of north roadway street having a
28coordinate of x=3,664,526.07 and y=556,664.20, said point lies in Jefferson parish
29and is also known as the point of commencement, thence along said bulkhead north
3084 degrees 28 minutes 50 seconds east a distance of 77.86 feet to an arrow cut on the
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1boundary line of Jefferson parish and Orleans parish, thence along said boundary line
2north 03 degrees 30 minutes 34 seconds east a distance of 161.08 feet to a point also
3known as the point of beginning, thence along said boundary line north 03 degrees
430 minutes 34 seconds east a distance of 89.92 feet, thence leaving said boundary
5line north 87 degrees 52 minutes 33 seconds west a distance of 91.80 feet to a point,
6thence south 51 degrees 38 minutes 44 seconds west a distance of 151.74 feet, thence
7south 89 degrees 43 minutes 14 seconds east a distance of 205.23 feet to the point
8of beginning, containing an area of 0.315 acres (13,729 sqft). All as per survey by
9Batture LLC dated March 25, 2026.
10(5) State Property (Jefferson Parish Jurisdiction) (West End Parking Lot)
11That certain piece or portion of ground, together with all the buildings and
12improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes,
13appurtenances and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining,
14situated township 12 south range 11 east, in the parish of Jefferson, state of
15Louisiana, is more fully described as follows:
16Commencing at the westerly and northerly point on a bulkhead running west
17to east along the projection of the northerly side of north roadway street having a
18coordinate of x=3,664,526.07 and y=556,664.20, said point lies in Jefferson parish
19and is also known as the point of beginning, thence along said bulkhead north 84
20degrees 28 minutes 50 seconds east a distance of 77.86 feet to an arrow cut on the
21boundary line of Jefferson parish and Orleans parish, thence along said boundary line
22south 03 degrees 30 minutes 34 seconds west a distance of 575.67 feet to a cross cut,
23thence south 83 degrees 23 minutes 53 seconds west to a point, thence north 00
24degrees 36 minutes 24 seconds west a distance of 63.73 feet to a point, thence south
2589 degrees 23 minutes 30 seconds west a distance of 15.82 feet to a point on the edge
26of a bulkhead abutting lake Pontchartrain, thence along said bulkhead north 01
27degrees 16 minutes 43 seconds east a distance of 480.10 feet to a point, thence
28continuing along said bulkhead north 43 degrees 31 minutes 18 seconds east a
29distance of 43.08 feet to the point of beginning containing an area of 1.217 acres
30(52,999 sqft). All as per survey by Batture LLC dated March 25, 2026.
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1C.(1) The district is established for the primary object and purpose of
2promoting and encouraging economic and commercial development and tourism
3opportunities, stimulating the economy through renewed commerce, industry,
4research, and tourism, and for the utilization and development of natural and human
5resources of the area by providing job opportunities.
6(2) Nothing shall prohibit the district from providing public infrastructure
7outside the boundaries of the district that generally benefits the public.
8D.(1) The district shall be governed by a board of commissioners, referred
9to in this Section as the "board", consisting of five members as follows:
10(a) The member of the governing authority of the parish of Jefferson who
11represents District No. 5 shall appoint two members.
12(b) The member of the governing authority of the city of New Orleans who
13represents District A shall appoint two members.
14(c) The president of the governing authority of the city of New Orleans shall
15appoint one member.
16(2) Members of the board shall serve five-year terms after initial terms as
17provided in this Paragraph. One member shall serve an initial term of one year; one
18shall serve two years; one shall serve three years; one shall serve four years; and one
19shall serve five years, as determined by lot at the first meeting of the board.
20(3) Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which
21a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled for the remainder of the
22unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
23(4) The board shall elect from its members a president, a vice president, a
24secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The duties
25of the officers shall be fixed by the bylaws adopted by the board.
26(5) The minute books and archives of the district shall be maintained by the
27secretary of the board. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district shall be in the
28official custody of the board.
29(6) The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary
30or advisable for conducting its business affairs. It shall hold regular meetings as shall
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1be provided for in the bylaws and may hold special meetings at such times and
2places within the district as may be prescribed in the bylaws.
3(7) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the
4transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall make
5them available through the secretary of the board to residents of the district.
6(8) The members of the board shall serve without compensation; however,
7they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred while attending to the business of the
8board or the district.
9E. The district, acting by and through its board, shall have and exercise all
10powers of a political subdivision necessary or convenient for carrying out its objects
11and purposes, including but not limited to the following:
12(1) To sue and to be sued.
13(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
14(3) To adopt bylaws and rules and regulations.
15(4) To receive by gift, grant, or donation any sum of money, property, aid,
16or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any political
17subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation.
18(5) To enter into contracts, agreements, or cooperative endeavors with the
19state and its political subdivisions or political corporations and with any public or
20private association, corporation, business entity, or individual.
21(6) To appoint officers, agents, and employees; prescribe their duties; and
22fix their compensation.
23(7) To acquire by purchase, gift, grant, donation, or lease property as may
24be necessary or desirable for carrying out the objectives and purposes of the board.
25(8) To perform any other necessary and ancillary acts to effectuate its
26functions, to perform its duties, or to give effect to its powers in accordance with this
27Section.
28F.(1) In addition to the authority provided to the district by this Section, the
29district may levy and collect a sales and use tax within the boundaries of the district
30not to exceed two percent.
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 HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1(2) The tax shall be imposed by resolution of the board and shall be levied
2upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, the distribution,
3and the storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property or digital
4products and upon the sales of services within the boundaries of the district, all as
5defined in R.S. 47:301 et seq. The purpose and rate of the tax shall be as provided
6in the resolution.
7(3) Except where inapplicable, the procedure established by R.S. 47:301 et
8seq. shall be followed in the imposition, collection, and enforcement of the tax, and
9procedural details necessary to supplement those Sections and to make them
10applicable to the tax authorized in this Subsection shall be fixed in the resolution
11imposing the tax.
12(4) The tax shall be imposed and collected uniformly throughout the
13jurisdiction of the district.
14(5) The tax levied pursuant to this Subsection shall be in addition to all other
15taxes other political subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the district are authorized
16to levy and collect.
17(6) Any monies received by the district shall be used exclusively for the
18benefit of the district and to fund economic development projects and infrastructure
19improvement projects within the following described boundaries:
20That portion of the protection or revetment levee bordering on Lake
21Pontchartrain, and lying between the west bank of the New Basin Canal on the east,
22and shore of Lake Pontchartrain on the west; all lands now lying under the waters of
23Lake Pontchartrain between the protection or revetment levee on the south; the west
24bank of the New Basin Canal on the East, the shore of Lake Pontchartrain on the
25west and a line drawn parallel to and in front of said protection or revetment levee,
26a distance of three thousand feet therefrom on the north; all lands now lying under
27the waters of Lake Pontchartrain in the rear or south of the aforesaid protection or
28revetment levee on the north, the shore of Lake Pontchartrain on the south and the
29lands belonging to private persons on the east and west.
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HB NO. 892  ENROLLED
1Section 2. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026; if vetoed by the governor
2 and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,
3 2026, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
  GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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