SB 201: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to financial incentives for events held in Louisiana. (7/1/25) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note) - Louisiana

Senate Floor Bureau Note, #1145, Harris, Jimmy, Adopted → SB201 Act 446 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized into Act 446, converting it from a draft floor amendment into an official enrolled law. The primary substantive change is the expansion of eligible events to include Paralympic activities and the addition of specific new events such as the Bayou Classic, Essence Festival, and various motorsports and combat sports championships. The text also clarifies the definition of 'Olympic activity' to explicitly include the Community Olympic Development Program.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Paralympic events and a broader list of specific professional and amateur competitions that qualify for financial incentives.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'and Paralympic' to the list of recognized Olympic activities to ensure Paralympic events are eligible for incentives.

Added the Bayou Classic and Essence Festival to the list of qualifying events.

Added specific motorsports events, including the Red Bull Signature Series and national motorsports races.

Added mixed martial arts championships and WWE WrestleMania to the list of qualifying events.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of Olympic activities to explicitly include the Community Olympic Development Program.

Updated the governing body reference for soccer and rugby to include both international and national bodies.

SB201 Original → Senate Floor Bureau Note, #1145, Harris, Jimmy, Adopted · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand the definition of 'Olympic activity' to explicitly include Paralympic activities sanctioned by the United States Olympic Committee. This change ensures that Paralympic events are treated with the same eligibility for state incentives as Olympic events, broadening the scope of qualifying major events.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Paralympic events under the Major Events Incentive Program, whereas the original text only mentioned Olympic activities.

ELIGIBILITY

Added the phrase 'and Paralympic' to the definition of Olympic activities, allowing Paralympic training programs, feeder programs, and sanctioned activities to qualify for state incentives.

SB201 Enrolled → SB201 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and its title was simplified to focus on the Major Events Incentive Fund and Program. The most significant change is the addition of a new definition requiring a minimum $25 million economic impact for an event to qualify for funding, replacing a longer, non-quantitative list of specific event types. The bill also removed a specific authorization for the secretary of economic development to contract with event producers, streamlining the process.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing a detailed list of specific qualifying events (such as WWE WrestleMania or the Bayou Classic) and replacing it with a broader definition based on a specific economic impact threshold.

DEFINITION

Added a new requirement that a 'qualified major event' must have a minimum total economic impact of $25 million, verified by an economic impact study approved by the Louisiana Economic Development agency.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed a specific list of qualifying events (including Super Bowl, Final Four, X Games, WWE WrestleMania, etc.) that previously defined what constituted a major event.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the specific authorization allowing the secretary of economic development to enter into contracts with event producers or host committees to recruit events.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill header from 'ENROLLED' to 'ORIGINAL' and renumbered the document, indicating this is the original version rather than the final enrolled version.

SB201 Reengrossed → SB201 Enrolled · 4 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was formally enrolled for final passage, adding Representatives Jackson and Knox as co-sponsors. The primary substantive change involves expanding the list of eligible events to include those sanctioned by TKO Group Holdings (the parent company of WWE and UFC), while simultaneously removing specific references to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Scope change

The bill's scope of eligible events is broader regarding combat sports and professional wrestling but narrower regarding specific Olympic and baseball/softball events.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for events sanctioned by TKO Group Holdings, Inc., explicitly including WWE WrestleMania and Ultimate Fighting Championship events.

Removed the requirement that events be recognized by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Removed the inclusion of the World Baseball Softball Confederation from the list of eligible sanctioning bodies.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect 'Enrolled' status and added co-sponsors Representatives Jackson and Knox.

SB201 Engrossed → SB201 Reengrossed · 1 edit · Jun 3, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to update the definition of recognized Olympic activities to include the 'United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee' instead of just the 'United States Olympic Committee.' This change broadens the scope of eligible activities to explicitly cover Paralympic sports, ensuring equal recognition for athletes with disabilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Paralympic activities alongside traditional Olympic activities.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of recognized Olympic activities to include the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, thereby extending eligibility to Paralympic sports.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to financial incentives for events held in Louisiana. (7/1/25) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

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