SB 79: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to requirements of industrial areas. (8/1/25) (EN NO IMPACT LF RV See Note) - Louisiana

SB79 Original → SB79 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal definition of industrial areas to explicitly include data centers, ensuring they receive the same protections and service requirements as traditional industries. It clarifies that industrial areas providing specific public services are exempt from annexation and allows these areas to enter into cooperative agreements with municipalities or private entities to deliver essential services like fire protection and waste management. The changes aim to modernize industrial zoning laws to accommodate emerging technology sectors while maintaining infrastructure standards.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of 'industrial purposes' to explicitly include data centers, broadening the applicability of industrial area regulations to this growing sector.

DEFINITION

Explicitly added 'data centers' to the definition of industries allowed within industrial areas.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that industrial areas providing a full suite of public services are exempt from annexation or incorporation by local governments.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that industrial areas must include provisions for public road access to all plant entrances for employees, contractors, and material delivery.

Expanded the list of services industrial areas must furnish or maintain to include water service, fire protection, and garbage/refuse collection.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a mechanism for industries to enter cooperative agreements with other municipalities if the local municipality is unable or unwilling to provide necessary services.

SB79 Enrolled → SB79 Original · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the definition of 'industrial purposes' to explicitly include data centers, ensuring they receive the same legal protections and service requirements as traditional industries. It also clarifies the rules for industrial areas that cannot secure services from their local municipality, allowing them to contract with a different municipality instead.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the law to include data centers as a recognized industrial purpose, whereas previously the list of covered industries was not explicitly defined to include them.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition stating that the construction and operation of data centers are considered an industrial purpose.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that if an industrial area cannot get services from its local government, industries within it can enter agreements with a different municipality to provide those services.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'Enrolled' status and formatting headers, changing the document to an 'Original' draft version.

SB79 Engrossed → SB79 Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 4, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as Enrolled, removing administrative headers and the legislative digest while retaining the core text. The substantive policy changes focus on clarifying that industrial areas providing specific services (like water and fire protection) cannot be annexed, and they now have expanded authority to enter cooperative agreements with municipalities or private entities to provide necessary services if local governments are unable or unwilling to do so.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on industrial areas established under Louisiana Revised Statutes, but the applicability of cooperative agreements was broadened to include private entities and other municipalities as fallback options when local governments cannot provide services.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'ENGROSSED' title and replaced it with 'ENROLLED', indicating the bill has passed both houses and is ready for the Governor's signature.

Deleted the legislative digest section that summarized the bill's purpose and previous versions, as this text is not part of the final law.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that industrial areas providing a full list of specific services (including water, fire protection, and garbage disposal) are exempt from annexation by other local governments.

Added a provision allowing industries to enter cooperative agreements with private entities or other municipalities to provide services if the local parish or municipality is unable or unwilling to do so.

Mandated that all industrial areas must include a provision ensuring public road access for employees and deliveries to every plant within the area.

Required that any cooperative agreements must include a clause ensuring the agreement does not impair the existing obligations of the local government to serve its residents.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to requirements of industrial areas. (8/1/25) (EN NO IMPACT LF RV See Note)

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