Housing (Community Development)

This bill establishes a statewide Task Force on Blight to study and recommend a comprehensive plan for addressing dilapidated properties and overgrown lots across Louisiana. The task force will include leaders from the Senate, House, major cities, and various state agencies, with members serving without pay but eligible for expense reimbursement. By September 2026, the group will begin meeting to develop a strategic approach using data-driven methods and resource deployment, aiming to submit its final report and legislative proposals by March 2027.

HB 217 allows Louisiana parishes to optionally offer property tax exemptions for blighted or derelict properties that have been rehabilitated. If a parish adopts this exemption, it would provide up to 75% tax relief on residential properties for up to 20 years, or up to 25% relief on adjacent unimproved land for up to 10 years, subject to specific rehabilitation standards. Parishes must establish application processes, approval criteria, and revocation rules for property owners who hold title to qualifying rehabilitated properties. The exemption applies only to properties meeting the bill's definitions of "blighted" (court-declared public nuisance) or "derelict" (structurally unsafe, fire hazards, or dangerous conditions). The policy would take effect for tax years starting January 1, 2027, pending a constitutional amendment approval.

HB 239 sets a price cap for the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority when selling property acquired with public funds. Specifically, it limits sales to nonprofits or local governments for public use or redevelopment areas to no more than 110% of the original public acquisition cost. This directly affects the Redevelopment Authority, nonprofits, and local government entities purchasing such property. The bill modifies existing law to ensure property sold for public purposes doesn't exceed this 110% threshold, overriding other provisions that might allow higher prices.