Louisiana Algiers Incorporation Amendment (2015)
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
A Louisiana Algiers Incorporation Amendment was not on the October 24, 2015 ballot in Louisiana as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The measure was designed to allow Algiers, a neighborhood in New Orleans, to become independent from the city and incorporate as a self-governing municipality.[1]
Specifically, the amendment would have allowed the Louisiana Legislature to authorize for the incorporation of any area within a single parish, if the parish contained one or zero incorporated areas on January 1, 2016.[2] For example, New Orleans is the only municipality within Orleans Parish. In other words, Orleans Parish contains one incorporated area. A second municipality, such as the proposed city of Algiers, would be allowed to form in Orleans Parish with legislative permission.
The measure was introduced into the Louisiana Legislature by Rep. Jeffery Arnold (D-102), who represents Algiers, as House Bill 235.[3]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The proposed ballot text was:[2]
| “ | Do you support an amendment to authorize the legislature to provide, by local law, for the incorporation of any area located within the boundaries of a single parish as a municipality within such parish if the parish contains fewer than two incorporated areas; to provide for the reincorporation of the area within the boundaries of any existing municipality; and to provide relative to the application of the homestead exemption to ad valorem taxes in the city of New Orleans if a municipality is incorporated subsequent to ratification of this amendment? (Amends Article VI, Section 2)[4] |
” |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article III, Louisiana Constitution
The proposed amendment would have amended Section 2(A) of Article III of the Louisiana Constitution. The following underlined text would have been added by the proposed measure's approval:[2]
Section 2.(A) The legislature shall provide by general law for the incorporation, consolidation, merger, and government of municipalities. No local or special law shall create a municipal corporation or amend, modify, or repeal a municipal charter. However, a special legislative charter existing on the effective date of this constitution may be amended, modified, or repealed by local or special law.
(B)(1) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this constitution, including Article VI, Sections 4 and 6, the legislature may provide by local law for the incorporation of any area located within the boundaries of a single parish as a municipality within such parish if the parish contains fewer than two incorporated areas on January 1, 2016. The legislature may also provide, by local law, for the exclusion of the area from the boundaries of any municipality. Such an exclusion shall not be effective until the effective date of such incorporation and upon approval by a majority of the electors residing in the newly incorporated area.
(2) The exemption provided by Article VII, §20(A)(9)(a) for general city taxes shall not apply to property located in any municipality in the parish of Orleans existing prior to or after the ratification of Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph.[4]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Louisiana Constitution
The proposed constitutional amendment was filed by Rep. Jeffery Arnold (D-102) as House Bill 235 on March 31, 2015.[3]
The measure needed to be approved through a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to be placed on the ballot. Louisiana is one of sixteen states that require a two-thirds supermajority.
On June 2, 2015, the Louisiana House of Representatives approved the amendment, with 79 representatives voting "yea" and 15 voting "nay."[3]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The New Orleans Advocate, "Rep. Jeff Arnold proposes bills that would allow Algiers to become a city," April 7, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Louisiana Legislature, "House Bill 235," accessed June 4, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Louisiana Legislature, "House Bill 235 Info," accessed June 4, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
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