A.  The Terrebonne Parish Artificial Reef Development District, hereinafter called the “District”, is hereby constituted and is declared to be a body politic and political subdivision of the state of Louisiana, as defined in La. Const. Art. VI, § 44 .  Pursuant to Article VI, Sections 19 and 21 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the district is hereby granted all of the rights, powers, privileges and immunities granted to political subdivisions including but not limited to the power of taxation, the power to incur debt and issue revenue and general obligation bonds, certificates of indebtedness, bond and certificate anticipation notes, and refunding bonds, subject to the limitations hereinafter provided.  The district created pursuant hereto shall be established for the primary purpose of promoting, developing, maintaining, monitoring and enhancing the artificial reef potential in the waters covered under this Chapter.  

B.  Through its governing commission, it shall administer and enforce the program provided for in this Chapter and such commission may, on its own initiative, establish artificial reef sites after holding public hearings on any proposed reefs, and also to receive permit applications from any other person or agency for the purpose of establishing an artificial reef.  The commission shall oversee maintenance and placement requirements of any artificial reefs established in the waters of Terrebonne Parish and develop all additional information needed to carry out the program.  Prior to the establishment of any artificial reefs, on its own initiative as a result of a permit application to the commission, a public hearing shall be held.  

C.  The boundaries of the district shall be coterminous with the boundaries of Terrebonne Parish.  

Acts 1991, No. 179, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.