SB 238 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

LEVEES: Provides relative to the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District. (8/1/25)

SB 238 revises governance rules for the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District board. It requires the board to include at least two professionals with 10+ years of experience (one must be a civil engineer residing on Jefferson Parish's Westbank) and prohibits board members or their immediate family from owning businesses that work with the district. The bill also bans former board members from running for public office within 12 months of leaving and prohibits current members from accepting political campaign contributions. These changes aim to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure board members' independence. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and advanced to the House for further consideration.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Failed
May 2025
Governor
Introduced Apr 22, 2025 Last action May 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB238 Original SB238 Engrossed · 9 edits · May 7, 2025
MAJOR
This bill amends the statutes governing the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District to update board composition requirements, establish strict term limits, and define conflict-of-interest rules. The changes ensure the board includes specific professional expertise while preventing individuals from serving too long or having financial conflicts with the district.
Scope change
The bill modifies the legal requirements for the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District board, specifically regarding member qualifications, term lengths, and ethical standards.
REQUIREMENT

Updated the description of the bill's purpose to clarify that it includes restrictions for board members and employees regarding conflicts of interest.

Changed the board composition requirement from at least two professionals to at least four professionals with ten years of experience, ensuring one is a civil engineer residing on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish.

Established a staggered term system where initial terms vary (2, 3, and 4 years) to ensure continuity, with all future terms limited to four years.

Implemented a term limit capping board members at three consecutive four-year terms, with specific rules for those filling partial terms.

Defined 'immediate family' comprehensively to include spouses, siblings, parents, and in-laws for conflict-of-interest purposes.

Prohibited board members from owning or having an interest in any business operating within the district's jurisdiction.

Added cooling-off periods preventing former board members from running for elected office (12 months) or serving on the board (24 months) after their term ends.

Banned board members from accepting any political campaign contributions or in-kind donations from any source.

Updated the list of consortium members to continue including the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District.

Floor votes · Senate May 7, 2025 · House May 28, 2025

How they voted

340
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 37
May 7, 2025
D Democratic11
9 Yea 2
81% Yea
R Republican26
25 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 28, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (30-45-27)
house
May 20, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 8, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
lower
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
Rules suspended. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Patrick Connick
Patrick Connick
RRepublican
LA
8