Board of Commerce and Industry public meetings in 2024

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Commerce and Industry Board will consider dozens of tax incentive applications for new and expanding businesses, including Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, Enterprise Zone, and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. Combined, the new applications represent over $844 million in private investment and promise hundreds of new permanent and construction jobs. The board will also act on contract renewals, transfers, terminations, and a late renewal request.

• Three new Quality Jobs applications totaling $205.8 million in investments, promising 235 new permanent jobs and 213 construction jobs.
• Two new Restoration Tax Abatement applications totaling $9.7 million in investments, with 28 new permanent jobs and 129 construction jobs.
• Three new Enterprise Zone applications totaling $167 million in investments, with 37 new permanent jobs and 120 construction jobs.
• Ten new Industrial Tax Exemption (Post-EO 2018 Rules) applications totaling $269 million in investments, with 49 new permanent jobs and 371 construction jobs.
• Three new Industrial Tax Exemption (Post-EO 2024 Emergency Rules) applications totaling $369 million in investments, including a $363 million CF Industries Blue Point project in Ascension Parish.

The Board of Commerce and Industry approved several new and renewal applications for the Quality Jobs, RTA, and ITEP programs. The Board also approved a set of new ITEP rules to be published on December 20, with a public hearing scheduled for January 30. Several late applications were deferred to the February meeting for legal review regarding penalties.

• Approved Quality Jobs applications for Syrah Technologies, Techneaux Technology Services, and Waskey Bridges
• Approved Quality Jobs renewal for Click Here Publishing, LLC
• Approved RTA applications for Crescent Care MidCity, LLC and Duchamp Opera House
• Approved RTA renewal for Fern Hill Investments, LLC
• Approved Enterprise Zone applications for Associated Mooring, LLC, La Grange Acquisition, LP, and The Exchange, LLC
• Approved five Enterprise Zone contract terminations including Capital City Produce and Ochsner Clinic Foundation
• Approved ITEP renewals for Sasol USA Corporation and Sabine Pass LNG entities
• Deferred late ITEP applications for Bollinger Houma Shipyards and Bollinger Quick Repair to February meeting

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Rules Committee will review proposed ITEP rules and consider proceeding with a Notice of Intent. Public comment is allowed before any vote. The meeting is scheduled to adjourn by 4:00 p.m.

• Review of proposed ITEP Rules
• Consideration of proceeding with a Notice of Intent
• Public comment permitted prior to any vote

The Rules Committee of the Board of Commerce and Industry approved a motion to publish amended rules for the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) to begin the Administrative Procedures Act process. The committee discussed and refined definitions regarding project property reports, legal descriptions of project sites, and ineligible property.

• Approved motion to publish amended ITEP rules for the APA process (All Aye)
• Amended Annual Project Property Report (APPR) definition to include requirements from Section 559
• Required a legal property description of the project site in applications
• Agreed to remove 'non-manufacturing property' and 'office furniture and desks' from ineligible property examples
• Agreed to refine the definition of 'construction was completed' to focus on assets rather than the overall project

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry Rules Committee will hear a presentation from Louisiana Economic Development on proposed revisions to the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) rules. The proposed rules aim to align with Executive Order JML 24-23, set criteria for determining what is in the best interest of the state, and implement procedural revisions. The committee will also consider approving minutes from previous meetings and schedule next steps.

• LED presentation of proposed new ITEP review and approval process, second edition
• Approval of minutes from August 12th and October 18th 2024 committee meetings
• Proposed rule changes include exemption rates of 80% generally, with up to 100% for mega-projects
• New rules would apply to projects with advances filed on or after February 21, 2024
• Public comment permitted at any point before any vote

The Rules Committee reviewed a draft of streamlined ITEP rules focusing on project-based applications and new reporting requirements. The committee did not vote to approve the rules today, instead scheduling a follow-up meeting for Monday afternoon to consider final tweaks and a formal motion to publish.

• Approved minutes from August 12th and October 18th meetings
• Scheduled follow-up meeting for Monday afternoon to vote on rule promulgation

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry will consider 23 new applications across four tax incentive programs, representing over $1.3 billion in proposed investments and promising 547 new permanent jobs and 1,411 construction jobs. The board will also act on renewals, contract terminations, and cancellations for existing agreements. The meeting includes approval of minutes from August 28, 2024, and other business.

• Quality Jobs Program: 4 new applications with $582 million in investments, 264 new permanent jobs, and 560 construction jobs
• Restoration Tax Abatement: 6 new applications with $10.6 million in investments, 52 new permanent jobs, and 62 construction jobs
• Enterprise Zone Program: 6 new applications with $131.6 million in investments, 90 new permanent jobs, and 358 construction jobs; 3 contract terminations
• Industrial Tax Exemption: 11 new applications (7 under 2018 rules, 4 under 2024 emergency rules) with $538.6 million in investments, 141 new permanent jobs, and 431 construction jobs; multiple renewals and cancellations
• Contract cancellations requested by Cargill Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Origin US Megasite I, LLC

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry Rules Committee will consider renewing the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Emergency Rule for another 180 days. The current rule expires before the next full board meeting. Public comment is permitted before any vote.

• Consideration of ITEP Emergency Rule renewal for 180 days
• Public comment allowed at any point before a vote
• Rule expires before next BCI Board meeting on October 23, 2024

The Rules Committee of the Board of Commerce and Industry met to extend the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) emergency rule. The renewal provides an additional 180 days to complete the regular rulemaking process.

• Approved renewal of emergency ITEP rules (unanimous)

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry will consider 31 new applications across four incentive programs (Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, Enterprise Zone, and Industrial Tax Exemption) representing over $803 million in total investments. The board will also vote on a motion to amend rules for ITEP contract amendments, renew the ITEP emergency rule, and approve 15 contract cancellations and 5 Enterprise Zone terminations.

• Quality Jobs Program: 1 new application from Magnolia Power Management ($287.7M investment, 9 permanent jobs, 200 construction jobs)
• Restoration Tax Abatement: 2 new applications totaling $25.6M investment (Echo Development South, Fairmont Housing Associates)
• Enterprise Zone: 14 new applications totaling $115.4M investment, including multiple Ochsner Clinic Foundation projects
• Industrial Tax Exemption: 13 new post-2018 applications ($190.7M) and 2 new post-2024 emergency rule applications ($300M, including St. Bernard Renewables)
• Motion to amend ITEP contract amendment rules requiring local government approval for changes to jobs/payroll terms

The Board approved several new Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, and Enterprise Zone applications. It also granted contract amendments to lower job and payroll requirements for Bagwell Energy Services, Taminco U.S., LLC, and Weyerhaeuser NR Company. Additionally, the Board delegated authority to the Rules Committee to renew ITEP Emergency Rules.

• Approved Quality Jobs application for Magnolia Power Management Company, LLC
• Approved Quality Jobs renewal for ControlWorx, LLC
• Approved Restoration Tax Abatements for Echo Development South Grand and Fairmont Housing Associates Limited Partnership
• Approved 14 new Enterprise Zone applications and 5 contract terminations
• Approved 11 new 2018 Rules ITEP applications and 2 Emergency Rules applications
• Approved 4 Pre-EO and 1 Post-EO timely ITEP renewals
• Approved contract amendments for Bagwell Energy Services, Taminco U.S., LLC, and Weyerhaeuser NR Company to lower job/payroll requirements
• Delegated authority to Rules Committee to renew ITEP Emergency Rule and authorize Notice of Intent

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Rules Committee is meeting to review and discuss current rules and possible revisions for the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program. The committee will also approve minutes from the July 10, 2024 meeting.

• Review and discussion of Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program rules

The Rules Committee of the Board of Commerce and Industry met to discuss proposed rewrites of the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) rules. The committee heard testimony from industry stakeholders, economic development practitioners, and advocacy groups regarding replacement value loopholes and mega project thresholds. No final rules were adopted during the session.

• Approved July 10 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry's Rules Committee will hear a presentation from Louisiana Economic Development on proposed changes to the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) rules. The changes aim to streamline the application and approval process, including a new Local ITEP Committee and consolidated forms. No final action is expected; this is a discussion of proposed rules.

• LED presentation on proposed new ITEP review and approval process
• Proposed changes include pre-construction application requirement
• Creation of Local ITEP Committee with parish, school board, sheriff, mayor
• Consolidation of multiple forms into single Project Application and Annual Project Property Report
• 80% exemption for 5 years (93% for Mega Projects) with renewal option

The Rules Subcommittee reviewed a proposal from Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to streamline the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) by reducing the application process from 15 to 9 steps. No final rules were adopted; the board is seeking further stakeholder feedback before the next meeting.

• Approved minutes from the previous meeting

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry is reviewing numerous applications for various economic incentive programs. This includes new requests for the Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, and Enterprise Zone programs, as well as several Industrial Tax Exemption applications.

• 4 new Quality Jobs applications totaling $1,370,044,830 in investments
• 15 new Enterprise Zone applications totaling $297,334,227 in investments
• 6 new Industrial Tax Exemption applications under 2024 Emergency Rules totaling $1,307,018,820
• Request to terminate 7 Enterprise Zone contracts because program requirements were met
• Staff request to cancel contracts for Buffalo, LLC; Equilon Enterprises LLC; Plains Gas Solutions, LLC; and Veolia North America

The Board approved numerous applications for the Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, Enterprise Zone, and Industrial Tax Exemption (ITEP) programs. It also adopted a new motion clarifying the process for amending ITEP Exhibit A contracts. One ITEP renewal for Fisher Manufacturing Services was approved with a mandatory one-year penalty due to late filing.

• Approved 4 new Quality Jobs applications (unanimous)
• Approved 2 new Restoration Tax Abatement applications (unanimous)
• Approved 15 new Enterprise Zone applications (unanimous)
• Approved 7 Enterprise Zone terminations (unanimous)
• Approved ITEP applications for Marathon Petroleum, WestRock CP, and 8 other companies (unanimous)
• Approved ITEP renewal for Fisher Manufacturing Services with a one-year penalty (unanimous)
• Approved 4 ITEP contract cancellations (unanimous)
• Tabled noncompliance decision for Bagwell Energy Services until August meeting

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry's Rules Committee will review and discuss proposed revisions to the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) rules, as presented by local industry consulting firms. The proposed changes aim to streamline the application process, increase transparency, and align with Louisiana Tax Commission regulations. Public comment will be permitted before any committee vote.

• Review of proposed new ITEP process eliminating Advance Notifications and Project Completion Reports
• Discussion of two-contract system: Authorization for Exemption Agreement (AFE) followed by annual Exemption Contracts
• Proposed rule changes to define 'Addition to a Manufacturing Establishment' using capital expenditure and asset-based criteria
• Introduction of Local ITEP Committee role in providing input on applications
• Proposed alignment of ITEP definitions with Louisiana Tax Commission regulations and accounting terms

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry Rules Committee will meet to review and discuss possible revisions to the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program rules. The meeting includes an overview of the rule promulgation timeline and the Administrative Procedure Act. Public comment will be permitted before any vote. No final decisions are expected at this meeting.

• Review of current Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program rules and possible revisions
• Overview of rule promulgation timeline and Administrative Procedure Act by LED Deputy General Counsel
• Public comment period allowed prior to any vote
• Scheduling of next committee meeting

Board of Commerce and Industry

The Board of Commerce and Industry is reviewing various economic incentive applications, including the Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, and Enterprise Zone programs. The agenda includes decisions on new project investments, contract renewals, and ownership transfers across multiple Louisiana parishes.

• 9 new Quality Jobs applications totaling $208,901,023 in investments
• 16 new Enterprise Zone applications totaling $314,008,884 in investments
• 13 new Industrial Tax Exemption applications totaling $436,484,495 in investments
• 3 new Restoration Tax Abatement applications totaling $12,057,364 in investments
• Approval of 2020 Enterprise Zone designations for various parishes

The Board approved an emergency rule to align the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) with Executive Order JML 24-23 and established a Rules Committee to revise program guidelines. The Board also approved numerous Quality Jobs and Restoration Tax Abatement applications, while terminating several non-compliant contracts.

• Approved emergency ITEP Rule and created a Rules Committee to align with Executive Order JML 24-23
• Approved 9 new Quality Jobs applications and 4 renewal applications
• Approved late renewal for Ampirical Solutions, LLC without penalty
• Approved 3 new Restoration Tax Abatement applications and 3 renewals
• Approved 16 new Enterprise Zone applications and updated 2020 Census designations
• Approved 13 new ITEP applications under 2018 Rules
• Terminated ITEP contracts for J&R Juneau, LLC and AW Chesterton Company
• Terminated ITEP contract for Dependable Glass Works effective 12/31/2022