HB 247 — DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Creates the Allen Parish Economic Development District and abolishes the Allen Parish Tourist Commission

All state officers and agencies are authorized at their discretion to render such servicestoservices to the district within their respectiverespectivefunctions functions as maybe requestedbyrequested by the district.

DIGESTSPEAKER ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislativeOF Services.THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

ItPage constitutes5 nopart of the5 legislativeCODING: instrument.

The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 247 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Carrier Abstract:

CreatestheAllenParishEconomicDevelopmentDistrictandabolishestheAllen Parish Tourist Commission.

Proposed law creates the Allen Parish Economic Development District as a political subdivision to provide for cooperative economic and community development among the district, the parish, the state, and the owners of property in the district;

to provide for tourism-related activities to enhance the development of and improvement to the property within the area of the district;

to develop stable and more extensive employment Page 5 of 7 CODING:

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HLS 26RS-586 REENGROSSED HB NO.

247 opportunities, to improve infrastructure;

and to promote the overall welfare of the citizens of the district.

Provides for district boundaries.

Proposed law provides that the district shall be governed by a five-member board of commissioners composed as follows:

(1) The president of the Allen Parish Industrial Development Board.

(2) The president of the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce (3) The president of the Kinder Chamber of Commerce.

(4) The president of the governing authority of Allen Parish.

(5) The member of the La.

House of Representatives whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district, or his designee.

Proposed law provides for the powers and duties of the district, including but not limited to the following:

(1) To sue and to be sued.

(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(3) To adopt bylaws and rules and regulations.

(4) To receive bygift, grant, or donation anysum of money, property, aid, or assistance from the U.S.

the state of La., or any political subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation.

(5) To enter into contracts, agreements, or cooperative endeavors with thestate and its political subdivisions or political corporations and with any public or private association, corporation, business entity, or individual.

(6) To appoint officers, agents, and employees;

prescribe their duties;

and fix their compensation.

Proposed law authorizes the district to levy and collect a tax upon the paid occupancy of hotel rooms and overnight camping facilities.

Provides that such tax shall not exceed 3% of the rent or fee charged for such occupancy.

Proposed law requires that the tax be paid by the person who exercises or is entitled to occupancy of the hotel room or overnight camping facility at the time the rent or fee for occupancy is paid.

Authorizes the governing authority to contract with any public entity authorizedtocollectsalesorusetaxesforthecollectionoftheoccupancytax.

Requiresthat all monies be used exclusively for the benefit of the district.

Proposed law requires the board to prepare a plan(s) specifying services, public improvements, facilities, and services proposed to be furnished, constructed, or acquired which may be improvements, facilities, and services the parish is authorized to provide pursuant to the constitution and laws of the state.

Proposedlawrequirestheboardtoconducthearingsanddisseminateinformationasitdeems appropriateoradvisable.

Requiresthatanyplandevelopedbytheboardincludeanestimate of the annual and total cost of acquiring, constructing, or providing the services, improvements, or facilities.

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HLS 26RS-586 REENGROSSED HB NO.

247 Proposed law authorizes all state officers and agencies to render services to the district withintheirrespectivefunctionsasmayberequestedbythedistrict.

Additionallyauthorizes the district and the agencies to enter into contracts, cooperative endeavor agreements, or other agreements necessaryor convenient to carryout the purposes of proposed law.

Present law creates the Allen Parish Tourist Commission as a political subdivision of the state composed of all of the territory of Allen Parish.

Provides that the commission is governed by a seven-member board of directors.

Provides that each member of the board shall receive a per diem not to exceed $50 for each meeting they attend.

Additionally provides that the board members shall not be paid for more than 12 meetings in each year.

Presentlawauthorizesthecommission to levyandcollectataxupontheoccupancyofhotel rooms, motel rooms, and overnight camping facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission, not to exceed 3%.

Provides that the proceeds of the tax shall be used by the commission for the operation of the commission and for the purpose of attracting conventions and tourists into the area and jurisdiction of the commission, including but not limited to the authority to spend money for advertising, promotion, and publication of information, or for any other purposes authorized by law.

Proposed law repeals present law and provides that all remaining funds and propertyof the commission shall be transferred to the Allen Parish Economic Development District.

Requires the district to hold the funds in a separate account to be used for the purpose of attracting conventions and tourist into the area and former jurisdiction of the commission.

(Adds R.S.

33:2740.70.11;

Repeals R.S.

33:4574(B)(3), 4574.1.1(A)(3), and 4574.14) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs to the original bill:

1.

Add the provision of tourism-related initiatives to the functions of the district.

The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:

1.

Authorize the district to levy an occupancytax on overnight camping facilities.

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