Provides relative to surplus immovable property for affordable housing. (7/1/26)

SB 301 Original 2026 Regular Session Duplessis

Present law provides for the surplus of immovable property deemed nonessential by state agencies. Further requires the division of administration to prepare land use recommendations for the property.

Present law provides for the transfer of surplus property.

Proposed law retains present law and establishes a process for transferring surplus immovable property to housing entities for the construction of affordable housing.

Proposed law defines "affordable housing", "affordable housing entity", "deeply affordable housing", "very low-income resident", "low-income resident", "moderate-income resident", "permanent supportive housing", and "surplus immovable property".

Proposed law requires the La. Housing Corp. to make an inventory of surplus immovable property on its website. Provides that the governor may determine that a property is essential to the state and requires that the governor provide written reasons for the determination.

Proposed law provides that an award of property shall be made at least once a year.

Proposed law provides that an affordable housing entity may submit a proposal to build affordable housing on a parcel and that proposals be evaluated by the board of the La. Housing Corp. based on inclusion of supportive housing, proportion of deeply affordable units, type of ownership, on-site disability services, and acceptance of tenant-based vouchers.

Proposed law requires the La. Housing Corp. to notify the commissioner of administration of the number of properties transferred, number of housing units planned, and the type of developments its approves.

Proposed law provides for the commissioner to oversee the cooperative endeavor agreement (CEAs) between the La. Housing Corp. and the affordable housing entity. Further allows the entity to exchange development services in exchange for property rights.

Proposed law requires the La. Housing Corp. to provide a report to the legislature, governor, and commissioner providing an inventory of parcels transferred, total number of parcels conveyed, inventory of developments approved, and the total number of housing units planned and completed.

Present law requires the division to provide a land management best use recommendation report to the legislative committees on natural resources and environment and any legislator in whose district a surplus immovable property is located. Prohibits the division from implementing its recommendation, unless approved by the legislative committees on natural resources and environment.

Proposed law changes the report recipient to the La. Housing Corp and removes the requirement for legislative committee approval prior to division implementation of best use recommendations. Further requires the La. Housing Corp. to decide whether to retain the property for disposition pursuant to proposed law within 90 days of receipt of the division report. If the parcel is not retained for affordable housing development, proposed law requires the division to implement its recommendations.

Present law requires the division submit an annual report to the legislative committees on natural resources and environment, providing the amount of property sold, agencies that held the property, costs, and proceeds from sales, and an updated inventory of property still owned by the state.

Proposed law changes the report recipient to the legislature and the governor.

Effective July 1, 2026.

(Amends R.S. 41:140(B), (C), and (F); adds R.S. 40:600.112)