Committee backs bill to transfer Lafitte levee duties to regional flood authority after board funding shortfall

A legislative committee reported Senate Bill 56 with amendments after hearing testimony that the Lafitte levee district lacks sufficient recurring revenue to maintain its system and that a regional authority could provide necessary operational capacity.

Kerry Loracelle, introduced to the committee as the Lafitte board president, told members the district has roughly $180,000 in recurring revenue against about $400,000 in annual costs and had to lay off nearly all staff. "If it wasn't for Slippery West and Jesse, we could not have got this job done," Loracelle said, urging approval of the bill to avoid seeking a dramatic millage increase.

Jesse Newell, regional director for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—Westbank, described the authority's resources and readiness to administer the Lafitte district if assigned. "We maintain currently 80 miles of flood protection with 67 floodgates, 35 drainage valves, and 3 large closure complexes," he said, adding the authority manages a $10,000,000 operating budget and 55 employees and protects about $41,000,000,000 in property and 250,000 people.

Blair Duchene, chair of Citizens for a Greater New Orleans, urged the committee to support the bill as a step toward professionalizing and depoliticizing levee governance. Duchene cited governance problems on the East-side flood authority, including contracts and executive turnover, and said the sponsor's amendments—particularly a provision creating an independent compliance officer—would help address conflicts of interest.

Andrew Wilson, an attorney representing two Lafitte landowners, told the committee he has clients with unresolved takings and property-damage claims from prior levy-board projects. He said one landowner lost 17 acres to a levee and that his clients have been unable to obtain compensation because the prior board did not set aside funds or secure an appropriation. "The only defense the levy board has come up with is they don't have any money," Wilson said, asking the committee to consider amendments that would allow a successor authority to assume liability or otherwise preserve a path to compensation.

Committee members emphasized legal and financial safeguards. A committee member noted sponsor amendments (including Amendment Set 53.27) add a compliance officer to separate oversight functions from the chief of police role. The committee moved to report the bill with amendments; Representative Breaux moved the report and there were no objections.

Next steps: The committee reported Senate Bill 56 with amendments for further legislative consideration.