An amended bill looking to provide confidentiality for economic development efforts has reached Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk, The Center Square reports.
House Bill 461, by Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Shreveport, would allow parishes or municipalities to prevent the disclosure of documents, including expense reports, related to economic development negotiations.
After discussions, the bill was amended by senators to require that an economic development project covered by the records exception be valued at $5 million or greater and create 15 permanent jobs for manufacturing or distribution centers or at least 25 permanent jobs for digital media, headquarters, research and development or inbound call center operations.
The Senate also added to the measure that records of local government expenses related to economic development negotiations remain public, with an exception that a local chief executive officer could redact any identifying information that would expose people related to a firm in talks with the government.
The House concurred with the Senate changes to the bill by a 71-18 vote on Friday.
