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LouisianaSB 2862026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

SPECIAL DISTRICTS: Provides relative to the New Orleans Downtown Development District. (gov sig)

Sponsored By: Royce Duplessis (Democratic)

Became Law

Municipal, Parochial and Cultural AffairsLocal and Municipal Affairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Downtown tax money pays bond debt first

Starting with 2027 revenues, the district receives its special property-tax money and keeps it in a separate account. The money is reserved for district purposes. When bonds backed by this tax have been issued, the first tax money received each year must cover that year’s principal and interest. The district transfers that amount to the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, and keeps the rest for authorized purposes. These bonds are not debts of Louisiana, Orleans Parish, or the City of New Orleans.

New rules for downtown property taxes

The law removes the tax calculation formula and the requirement to adopt a district plan before levying the tax. New Orleans City Council can levy the special tax on taxable real property in the Downtown Development District. The tax can last up to 50 years, but district voters must first approve its maximum amount. The law itself sets no tax rate and does not automatically raise property owners’ bills.

Downtown voters control tax and borrowing

Downtown Development District voters now decide the district’s maximum tax and bond amounts, rather than voters across New Orleans. A majority of district voters casting ballots in an election for that purpose must approve each maximum. No tax can be levied or bonds issued without that approval. City voters outside the district no longer have a vote on these limits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Royce Duplessis

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 87 • No: 19

House vote • 5/18/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 76, nays 19. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 76 • No: 19

House vote • 5/7/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Becomes Act No. 595 without the Governor's signature.

    6/1/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 5/31/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

  3. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/20/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/19/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/19/2026House

  6. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/18/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  7. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 76, nays 19. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/18/2026House

  8. Received from the House without amendments.

    5/18/2026Senate

  9. Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/12/2026House

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/11/2026House

  11. Reported favorably (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/7/2026House

  12. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.

    4/7/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/1/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 35 yeas and nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    3/31/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    3/30/2026Senate

  16. Reported with amendments.

    3/25/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs.

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs.

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

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