§2740.70.7. Shreveport I-20 Economic Development District

            A. There is hereby created within the city of Shreveport, as more specifically provided in Subsection B of this Section, a body politic and corporate which shall be known as the Shreveport I-20 Economic Development District, referred to in this Section as the "district". The district shall be a political subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.

            B.(1) The boundaries of the district shall include the area with the following perimeter: Begin at the intersection of the southwesterly right-of-way line of Common Street with the north right-of-way line of Lake Street and a point on the northwesterly right-of-way line of Kansas City Railroad; Run thence Southeasterly along said southwesterly right-of-way line of Common Street to the south right-of-way line of Stoner Avenue; Run thence West along said south right-of-way line of Stoner Avenue and Murphy Street to the easterly right-of-way line of Texas Avenue; Run thence Southwesterly along said easterly right-of-way line of Texas Avenue to the east right-of-way line of Sestin Street; Run thence South along said east right-of-way line of Sestin Street to the north right-of-way line of the Kansas City Railroad; Run thence West along said north right-of-way line of Kansas City Railroad to the east right-of-way line of Park Avenue; Run thence North along said east right-of-way line of Park Avenue to the southeasterly right-of-way line of I-20; Run thence Northeasterly along said southeasterly right-of-way line of I-20 to the westerly right-of-way line of Linwood Avenue; Run thence Southeasterly along said westerly right-of-way line of Linwood Avenue to the northerly right-of-way line of Texas Avenue; Run thence Northwesterly along the northerly and westerly right-of-way line of Texas Avenue to the northeasterly right-of-way line of Hope Street; Run thence Southeasterly along said northeasterly right-of-way line of Hope Street to the northwesterly right-of-way line of Kansas City Railroad; Run thence Northeasterly along said northwesterly right-of-way line of Kansas City Railroad to the Point of Beginning.

            (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any existing pathways of Interstate 49 shall be excluded from the boundaries of the district.

            (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the pathway of Texas Street beginning at Murphy Street to the east and ending at Linwood Avenue to the west shall be excluded from the boundaries of the district.

            C. The district is created to provide for cooperative economic and community development among the district, the city, the state, and the owners of property in the district, to enhance the development of and improvement to the property within the area of the district, to develop stable and more extensive employment opportunities, to improve infrastructure, and to promote the overall welfare of the citizens of the district.

            D.(1) In order to provide for the orderly development of the district and effect the purposes of the district, the district shall be administered and governed by a five-member board of commissioners, subject to Senate confirmation, referred to in this Section as the "board", composed as follows:

            (a) The member of the Louisiana Senate whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

            (b) The member of the Louisiana House of Representatives whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

            (c) The governing board of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce shall appoint one member who is a member of the chamber of commerce.

            (d) The governing board of the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce shall appoint one member who is a member of the chamber of commerce.

            (e) The mayor of the city of Shreveport or his designee.

            (2)(a) Members appointed pursuant to Subparagraphs (1)(a) through (d) of this Subsection shall serve three-year terms after serving initial terms as provided in this Subparagraph. Two members shall serve one-year initial terms, one member shall serve a two-year initial term, and one member shall serve a three-year initial term as determined by lot at the first meeting of the board.

            (b) The member serving pursuant to Subparagraph (1)(e) of this Subsection shall serve during his term of office. Any designee serving on the board shall serve at the pleasure of the designating authority.

            (3) Any vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of the term for which a member of the board has been appointed shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term.

            (4) The board shall elect from its members a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary-treasurer, and other officers as it deems necessary. The duties of the officers shall be fixed by the bylaws adopted by the board. The bylaws shall be subject to approval of the senators representing Districts 31, 36, 38, and 39 prior to being adopted by the board.

            (5) The minute books and archives of the district shall be maintained by the secretary-treasurer of the board. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district shall be in the official custody of the board.

            (6) The board shall adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for conducting its business affairs. Rules and regulations of the board relative to the notice and conduct of meetings shall conform to applicable law. The board shall hold regular meetings as provided for in the bylaws and may hold special meetings at such times and places within the district as prescribed in the bylaws.

            (7) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall make them available through the secretary-treasurer of the board.

            (8) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the governance of the district.

            E.(1) The district, acting by and through its board, shall have and exercise all powers of a political subdivision necessary or convenient for carrying out its objects and purposes, including but not limited to the following:

            (a) To sue and be sued.

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

            (c) To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, or lease all property, including rights-of-way, and to hold and use any franchise or property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the objects and purposes of the district.

            (d) To receive by gift, grant, or donation any sum of money or property, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation.

            (e) To enter into contracts for the purchase, lease, acquisition, construction, and improvement of works and facilities necessary in connection with the purposes of the district and to mortgage its properties and enter into leases and other agreements on terms that the board approves.

            (f) To require and issue licenses with respect to properties and facilities owned by the district.

            (g) To regulate the imposition of fees and rentals charged by the district for facilities owned and services rendered by it and to impose fees on the use or occupancy of any other property within but not owned by the district with the consent of the owner of such property.

            (h) To appoint officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.

            (i) To enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with any other party, public or private, to accomplish the purposes of this Subpart.

            (2) The district shall have no power of taxation.

            (3) The district shall have no power with respect to any decision regarding the planning and operation of the I-49 inner city connector or the Amtrak high speed rail.

            F.(1) The board shall prepare or cause to be prepared a plan or plans specifying the public improvements, facilities, and services proposed to be furnished, constructed, or acquired for the district and shall conduct public hearings, publish notice with respect thereto, and disseminate information as it, in the exercise of its sound discretion, deems appropriate or advisable and in the public interest.

            (2) Any plan may specify and encompass any public services, capital improvements, and facilities which the city of Shreveport is authorized to undertake, furnish, or provide under the constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, and the specified public services, improvements, and facilities shall be special and in addition to all services, improvements, and facilities which the city is then furnishing or providing or may then or in the future be obligated to furnish or provide within the district.

            (3) Any plan shall include an estimate of the annual and total cost of acquiring, constructing, or providing the services, improvements, or facilities set forth therein.

            G.(1) The board shall adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301 et seq.

            (2) The district shall be subject to audit by the legislative auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

            H. All state officers and agencies are authorized at their discretion to render such services to the district within their respective functions as may be requested by the district. In addition, the district and such agencies are authorized to enter into such contracts, cooperative endeavor agreements, or other agreements necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this Section.

            I. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the provisions of this Section shall be effective until August 1, 2029.

            Acts 2024, No. 783, §1.