Bill > HB284

This bill authorizes certain parishes and municipalities in Louisiana with a population of less than fifty thousand to acquire abandoned or blighted properties through a process called "expropriation by declaration of taking," which is a legal procedure to take private property for public use. The bill defines "abandoned property" as vacant or not lawfully occupied property that is detrimental to public safety, health, or welfare, and "blighted property" as property that, due to its condition or neglect, harms public health, safety, morals, or welfare, or impairs economic stability. This new procedure allows these local governments to obtain such properties for rehabilitation and to return them to economic use, even if an agreement with the owner cannot be reached amicably, and permits them to take possession of the property before a final court determination of compensation. The bill outlines specific notice requirements for property owners, procedures for filing expropriation petitions, and mechanisms for owners to contest the taking or claim compensation, ensuring that all liens and taxes are addressed and that there is an opportunity for others to acquire the rehabilitated properties.