HB 649 Louisiana House · 2025 Regular Session

DISTRICTS/RECREATION: Provides relative to the Recreation and Park Commission for the parish of East Baton Rouge and the Capital Area Transit System

HB 649 amends the legal framework governing East Baton Rouge Parish's Recreation and Park Commission and the Capital Area Transit System by changing their status from "enacted" to "amended and reenacted" in state law. This is a procedural update to clarify the commission's governing authority, not a policy change affecting residents or services. The bill modifies existing administrative language without altering operational responsibilities or funding. It is currently scheduled for floor debate in the Louisiana legislature.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Apr 22, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB649 Original → HB649 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission by reducing its size from nine to three members, shifting the appointment authority from the city of Baton Rouge's metropolitan council to the parish's mayor-president and school board. The new structure eliminates the separate Central Recreation District and removes the commission's authority to levy property taxes, replacing it with a requirement to submit annual financial reports to municipalities and the state legislature.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly narrowed by removing the creation of a separate recreation district in the city of Central and eliminating the commission's power to impose taxes on parish property.

ELIGIBILITY

The commission size was reduced from nine members to three ex officio members (mayor-president, school board member, and planning commission member), and the power to appoint members was transferred from the city of Baton Rouge's metropolitan council to the parish mayor-president and school board.

FISCAL

The commission's authority to levy and collect property taxes was removed entirely.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the commission to submit an annual written report to municipalities and state legislators detailing funds received, funds spent, and money generated at facilities.

SCOPE

The legislation removed provisions related to the Central Recreation District, including its creation, boundaries, and specific governance structure.

TIMELINE

The effective date was updated to align with the standard legislative process (signature or expiration of veto period) rather than a specific date tied to the previous bill text.

HB649 Engrossed → HB649 Enrolled · 5 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as Enrolled legislation, removing the specific provision for a separate recreation district in Central and replacing it with a unified Recreation and Park Commission for the entire East Baton Rouge Parish. The composition of the commission was expanded to include nine members (three ex officio and six appointed) representing the parish, city of Baton Rouge, school board, planning commission, and mayors of surrounding municipalities, replacing the previous structure that included a distinct Central district board. The commission is now required to submit detailed annual financial reports to municipalities and the legislature, detailing funds received and spent by municipality. The effective date was also updated to align with standard legislative procedures upon signature or expiration of the veto period.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from creating a separate recreation district in the city of Central to establishing a single, unified commission covering the entire East Baton Rouge Parish, including the city of Central and surrounding municipalities.

SCOPE

Replaced the creation of a separate 'Central Recreation District' with a unified 'Recreation and Park Commission' for the entire East Baton Rouge Parish.

Removed the specific governance structure and boundaries for the Central Recreation District, which was previously a separate entity.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the commission composition from a mix of Central district officials and parish representatives to a nine-member body including the mayor-president, school board member, planning commission member, and mayors of Baker, Baton Rouge, Central, St. George, and Zachary.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the commission to submit an annual written report to each municipality and the state legislature detailing funds received and spent in each municipality.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date clause to specify that the Act becomes effective upon the governor's signature or expiration of the veto period, replacing previous notice of intention language.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 8, 2025 · House May 7, 2025

How they voted

37–0

Passed

Total votes 37

Jun 8, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican26

26 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

Jun 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.

upper

Jun 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 89, nays 4. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate conference committee members appointed: Edmonds, Foil, and Reese.

upper

Jun 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

upper

Jun 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 39 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 67, nays 24. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (10-5).

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors