The legislature finds that:

(1)  There is a need for uniform, focused, and fair procedures in state law to provide a reasonable alternative for the establishment, power, operation, and duration of independent districts to manage and finance basic community development services; and that, based upon a proper and fair determination of applicable facts, an independent district can constitute a timely, efficient, effective, responsive, and economic way to deliver these basic services, thereby providing a solution to the state’s planning, management, and financing needs for delivery of capital infrastructure in order to service projected growth without overburdening parishes and municipalities and their taxpayers.

(2)  It is the legislative intent and purpose in implementing Article VI, Sections 19 and 36 of the Constitution of Louisiana, based upon, and consistent with, legislative findings of fact and declarations of policy, to authorize a uniform procedure by general law to establish an independent special district as an alternative method to manage and finance basic services for community development through the levy and collection of special assessments.  It is further the legislative intent and purpose to provide by general law for the uniform operation, exercise of power, and procedure for termination of any such independent district.  It is further the purpose and intent of the legislature that a district created under this Chapter not have or exercise any zoning or permitting power.  It is further the purpose and intent of the legislature that no debt or obligation of a district shall constitute a burden on any local government without its consent.

Acts 2001, No. 992, §1.