(The Center Square) — With one month left in the Louisiana legislative session, lobbyist Chance McNeely shared an update with the Shreveport City Council on the progress of specific bills that would affect the Northwest Louisiana region, including Shreveport.
Many bills introduced by Northwest Louisiana representatives could both positively and negatively affect the Shreveport area. McNeely shared which bills have moved forward, which bills have not been heard yet, and which bills are unlikely to progress any further.
House Bill 480 has been discussed rigorously amongst local city officials, as many oppose the bill by Representative Danny McCormick, R-Oil City. The bill concerns the Caddo-Bossier Port PILOT programs. It was deferred last week and yesterday.
“They ended up not even considering the bill at all. I think given that there have been two hearings, it remains in the committee, they haven’t voted, but that bill is likely to not move forward,” said McNeely.
Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Shreveport, recently introduced HB6 concerning the misappropriation of funds relating to utility services. Shreveport continues to experience troubles with landlords not paying water bills with funds collected from tenants, resulting in utility shut-offs and resident misplacement.
HB6 has not been scheduled for a committee hearing yet, according to McNeely. If it doesn’t get a hearing next week, it will have a hard time getting through the process.
McCormick introduced HB229, which dealt with the exemption of certain food and beverages from local sales tax. McNeely said this bill would have hurt local government budgets across Louisiana. HB229 was heard in committee this morning and did not pass.
HB262 concerns removing unauthorized persons from immovable properties. The bill was introduced by Rep. Tammy Phelps like HB 6, has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.
Another bill by McCormick that did not pass in a committee hearing today was HB341, seeking to repeal the motion picture and production tax credit.
In another attempt to combat blight in Shreveport, Phelps introduced HB512, and it passed out of committee last week. The Shreveport Democrat’s bill is set to receive a vote from the full House this week or next.
Sen. Sam Jenkins, D-Shreveport, introduced Senate Bill 63, which also deals with multi-family residential properties and the collection of funds for water and sewage charges.
This bill passed the committee last week and is currently waiting consideration on the floor of the Senate this week or next.
