2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 38 - Public Contracts, Works and Improvements
RS 38:3087.173 - District as political subdivision and body corporate; purpose and powers

§3087.173. District as political subdivision and body corporate; purpose and powers

A. The district shall be a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana and shall have for its purpose the development of the wealth and natural resources of the district by the conservation of soil and water for agricultural, recreational, commercial, industrial, and sanitary purposes. The creation and maintenance of a lake within the district shall be for such purposes. The district shall also have as one of its purposes economic development for the district.

B. It shall constitute a body corporate in law with all powers, rights, privileges, and immunities of a corporation. It may sue and be sued, buy and sell, levy taxes, negotiate and execute contracts, and incur debts and issue negotiable bonds in payment thereof under and in accordance with existing laws. It may acquire by purchase, donation, expropriation, or otherwise every type and specie of property, including servitudes and rights-of-use, necessary to its purpose, and may lease, build, operate, and maintain any works or machinery designed to accomplish the purposes of the district. It may create an economic development corporation pursuant to R.S. 33:9020 et seq.

C. Pursuant to, and without conflict with, any statewide laws for the management, protection, or regulation of surface water, the district shall have complete control over the supply of fresh water made available by its facilities, which shall be administered for the benefit of the persons residing or owning property within the district, and if it should be for the benefit of the district, it shall have the authority to sell such water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial uses both within and outside the district.

D. The district shall constitute an agency of the state of Louisiana designed to carry out an essential governmental function of the state. The district shall be exempt from state and local sales and use taxation. It shall have the authority to cooperate and contract with the government of the United States or any department or agency thereof and to accept grants and donations of property, money, and anything of value. It shall have the authority to cooperate with the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision, department, agency, or corporation of the state for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities designed to accomplish the purpose for which the district is created on any basis including the matching of funds and by participating in projects authorized by any federal or state law as it shall see fit.

Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 163, §2, eff. April 19, 2002.