Provides for appointments to the board of commissioners and insurance for the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association. (8/1/26)

Senate Bill 385 amends the statutory framework governing the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association by modifying board appointment procedures and insurance participation requirements. The bill amends Act No. 130 of 1896 and Act No. 569 of 1989 to allow the state senator and state representative for the district in which New Orleans City Park is located to appoint designees to serve on the board of commissioners, rather than serving themselves. Additionally, the legislation modifies insurance requirements by permitting the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association to opt out of the state risk management program for comprehensive general liability and workers compensation liability coverage when the association contracts with a nonprofit or not-for-profit entity that directly employs all City Park employees and carries its own comprehensive general liability and workers compensation insurance. The association may continue participating in the state risk management program solely for property insurance coverage.

The practical effect of this legislation impacts the governance structure and operational flexibility of City Park management. Legislators representing the park's district gain administrative convenience by delegating their board positions to designees, allowing them to focus on other legislative responsibilities while maintaining district representation. Nonprofit and not-for-profit entities contracting to operate City Park benefit from reduced administrative burden and potential cost savings by managing their own liability and workers compensation insurance rather than navigating state risk management requirements. The association itself gains contractual flexibility and potentially improved operational efficiency when working with private contractors who assume full employment responsibilities and insurance obligations. However, the association must maintain state risk management participation for property insurance, ensuring continued coverage for the physical park infrastructure and facilities.

This legislation operates within the established constitutional and statutory framework of Louisiana's cooperative endeavor doctrine codified in Article VII, Section 14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution, which allows public entities to contract with private nonprofit entities for public purposes. The amendments specifically address governance mechanisms established under Act No. 130 of 1896, which originally placed City Park under the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association's control, and Act No. 569 of 1989, which authorized contracts with nonprofit entities for park management. The insurance modifications acknowledge Louisiana's state risk management program structure while providing statutory flexibility for privatized operations. The legislation also references Act No. 865 of 1982, which establishes the master plan requirement that governs permissible park contracts, ensuring any arrangements remain consistent with comprehensive planning objectives.