A. A regional economic development organization shall only utilize grant funds to pay for qualified expenditures related to the furtherance of economic development within the region it represents. Qualified expenditures are limited to site development costs for publicly owned property or other property to the extent allowable under La. Const. Art. VII, § 14 and other applicable state law.

            B. Site development costs include but are not limited to costs incurred for the following:

            (1) Studies.

            (2) Surveys.

            (3) Development of plans and specifications.

            (4) Entering into option agreements.

            (5) Infrastructure improvements.

            (6) Due diligence.

            (7) Remediation.

            (8) Wetland delineation.

            (9) Professional services for architectural, engineering, legal, construction, and financial services related to site development.

            C. Without limiting the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section, a regional economic development organization shall not utilize any monies awarded pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter for any of the following:

            (1) Salaries, wages, or benefits.

            (2) Travel expenses incurred by the regional economic development organization’s officers, employees, or contractors.

            (3) Alcohol.

            (4) Land, buildings, offices, equipment, or vehicles used primarily for the administrative operations of the regional economic development organization.

            Acts 2022, No. 556, §1, eff. June 17, 2022.