Key Takeaways
• House Bill 613 passed Louisiana House 89-1, aiming to create an independent airport district for Acadiana Regional and Lemaire Memorial Airports.
• Iberia Parish Council opposes the bill, citing loss of local control and lack of proper council input during the process.
• A special council meeting on May 19, 2025, may remove Airport Authority Chairman amid escalating tensions regarding airport governance.
Tensions have been growing in Iberia Parish as House Bill 613, a proposal to set up an independent airport district for the Acadiana Regional Airport and Lemaire Memorial Airport, moves forward. The effort has made deep divisions clear among local government leaders, airport officials, and community members. The issue at stake is not just about who manages the airport, but also touches on questions of economic development, legal authority, and trust between different parts of local government.
This legislative push to change how the airport is run comes at a time when many communities are rethinking how their public assets can best help local economies. For Iberia Parish, the outcome will shape who has the authority to make decisions about an important local resource—one that could play a key role in creating jobs and attracting investment.
What Is House Bill 613?
House Bill 613 is a new piece of legislation introduced by State Representative Beau Beaullieu from New Iberia. The main goal of this bill is to set up a special airport district that would control both the Acadiana Regional Airport and Lemaire Memorial Airport within Iberia Parish. For now, the airport is owned by the parish and watched over by the Iberia Parish Airport Authority.
If this bill becomes law, the airport would separate itself from direct parish oversight. This means the airport would run as its own body, making its own decisions, with a special board to manage its work. While the parish council would choose the members of this new board, the airport would no longer report to the parish in the same way it does today.
Rep. Beaullieu has explained that the goal is to make the airport more flexible and better able to jump at new business chances. “Other airports in the state are currently doing this as well,” he said, noting that giving the airport more freedom to act could help bring new jobs to the area. He added, “Politics is getting in the way of a good policy and a good thing for our area.”
The numbers show strong initial support at the state level: the bill passed the Louisiana House of Representatives by a vote of 89-1. This shows many lawmakers see the benefit of making airports more independent and, possibly, better equipped to help their local economies.
Why Are Local Officials Upset?
Despite the big vote in the state house, the bill has hit strong resistance back home. The Iberia Parish Council and Parish President Larry Richard have both come out against it. Their main concern is about local control. They argue that making such a big change to airport management should be something the parish decides for itself—not something imposed by the state.
The council passed a resolution saying it opposed House Bill 613. President Richard was especially worried about how quickly the bill was moving. “I just found out about this about five weeks ago, and it’s moving extremely fast,” he said. He also stressed, “I’m not saying a district is not a good thing for the parish. But that’s a decision the parish council can make. It needs to go through the parish council, and that didn’t happen.”
Councilman Warren Gachassin has pushed the debate in a strong legal direction. He questioned whether the state even has the right to force this change on the parish government, which operates under what is called a “home rule charter.” This type of charter gives a parish more control over its own matters, without state interference, unless there is a clear reason. Gachassin cited case law, pushing back against the state’s authority to reach over the heads of local leaders. During a tense exchange with the Airport Authority’s Chairman, Pat Norris, Gachassin made his point clear: rules about who’s in charge and who gets to decide can’t be tossed aside.
For many local leaders, the main point of frustration isn’t so much the details of airport management, but the way in which these changes are being brought forward—without full local input or agreement. They believe that Paris should at least get a chance to review, change, or object to such proposals before they go to the state level.
What Does the Airport Authority Want?
Amid all the debate, the Airport Authority, especially Chairman Pat Norris, has been explaining its side to the public and the parish council. Norris recognized that talking with the council could have been “better,” but insisted the push for an independent district isn’t new. According to Norris, this idea “has been under discussion for several years.”
Norris and other supporters think that becoming an independent district will give the airport “financial independence”—making it more flexible and able to respond quickly to business needs. Norris pointed out that this approach has support from aviation experts and from businesses that use the airport or are located there.
When pressed about why the Airport Authority did not bring the idea to the council first, Norris admitted there was “fear of rejection or attempts to stop the process.” This reveals a deep lack of trust or past friction between the airport management and the parish government.
Over time, disagreements between the parish leaders and the airport managers seem to have built up, making it harder for both sides to work together smoothly. Now, with the bill moving quickly in the state legislature, emotions are running high on both sides.
The Process and the Next Steps
As of now, the debate over House Bill 613 is far from settled. The bill had a floor debate scheduled in the Louisiana legislature on May 14, 2025. However, Councilwoman Natalie Broussard said Representative Beaullieu agreed not to push the bill forward until after the parish council meeting set for that same date. This shows a small but important effort to allow local discussion before anything happens at the state level.
Another big development is planned: the Iberia Parish Council has called a special meeting for Monday, May 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM. At this meeting, one of the main topics will be a resolution that could immediately remove Pat Norris from his position as Chairman of the Airport Authority. This move is a direct result of the ongoing friction, and it suggests that the council is not backing down from its stance.
All of this leaves the staff, tenants, and business partners of the Acadiana Regional Airport in a state of limbo. As long as the bill’s future is unclear, airport managers and those who depend on the airport for work or transportation may find it hard to plan for the future.
What’s At Stake for Iberia Parish?
At the core, House Bill 613 raises big questions about local decision-making and who gets to control public resources. For Iberia Parish, the airport—and especially the Acadiana Regional Airport—is a main piece of infrastructure that affects shipping, travel, and jobs. As reported by VisaVerge.com, decisions about how such airports are managed can have lasting effects on a parish’s ability to attract investment, encourage tourism, and support small businesses.
Supporters of the bill argue that airports run best when they can plan ahead, work fast, and not get stuck in the slow, often political process of parish government. They point to other airports in the state that have split off in similar ways and say this has helped those areas grow.
But for those who oppose the bill, especially local officials, the worry is that taking power away from the parish council could mean less local accountability. If the airport’s new board is further away from regular residents and does not have to answer directly to them, decisions might be made that benefit only a few, rather than everyone in the community.
There are also legal concerns, given the home rule charter, about whether it’s fair or right for the state to force these changes without local agreement.
What About Immigration and the Wider Community?
While House Bill 613’s immediate focus is on who manages the Acadiana Regional Airport and Lemaire Memorial Airport, its effects could reach much further. Airports—especially regional ones like these—play an important role in bringing people, goods, and investment in and out of a region. How they are run can even affect immigration patterns, the movement of workers, and the ability of local businesses to connect with international markets.
If the airport gains more freedom and resources as an independent district, it could make Iberia Parish a stronger destination for businesses that need good transportation links. This helps not only local workers but also people from other countries who may want to work or invest in the area. On the other hand, if the change causes confusion or uncertainty, it could make it harder to draw in new opportunities.
Perspectives From Key Players
Let’s break down what the main people involved are saying:
- Rep. Beau Beaullieu (State Representative): Pushes for the bill, says it promotes jobs and growth. Wants politics to take a backseat to good policy.
- Larry Richard (Parish President): Critical of the bill’s speed and lack of parish input. Supports local control, not against change, but wants it done right.
- Parish Council (including Councilman Warren Gachassin): Strongly defends the parish’s right to control its own affairs, questions if the state should even get involved.
- Pat Norris (Airport Authority Chairman): Admits communication could have been handled better. Says independence will help the airport, but felt the parish council might block the plan.
- Aviation Experts and Tenants: Some support the new district for the promise of quicker, business-friendly changes.
Possible Outcomes and Their Impact
Whatever happens with House Bill 613, the outcome will carry important lessons for other communities facing similar issues. If the bill passes and the new district is created, the airport could become more active, with the power to raise its own money, make contracts, and set its own policies. This might mean more flights, new businesses moving in, or better services for customers.
But there’s also a risk. If local leaders and residents feel locked out of the process, the new district could face pushback or even lawsuits. Disagreements between the parish and airport leadership could get worse, not better. There’s also the chance that the hoped-for growth doesn’t materialize right away, leading to more debates over whether the change was worth it.
If the bill fails, it’s possible the parish council will take the lead on reforms or try to offer new ideas for how the airport should be run. Either way, the events in Iberia Parish will be watched by other areas in Louisiana and beyond, as local and state governments look for ways to manage important assets without unnecessary conflict.
What Should Residents Do Now?
For residents of Iberia Parish and users of the Acadiana Regional Airport, the best step right now is to stay informed and get involved in public meetings. The upcoming parish council meeting on May 19, 2025, will be a key moment when important decisions could be made. Attending or watching this meeting gives residents a chance to see democracy in action and to let their leaders know what they think.
People who want to follow the bill’s progress can check the official Louisiana State Legislature site for the latest updates. This government source provides text versions of House Bill 613 and lets the public track where it stands.
Wrap-Up
The story of House Bill 613, Iberia Parish, and the Acadiana Regional Airport is about more than just runways and buildings. It’s about community voices, the push for economic growth, and the sometimes messy process of government. Whatever the final outcome, it’s clear that issues of control, trust, and the future of local assets will stay at the forefront for leaders and residents alike. If you’re living in Iberia Parish, working at the airports, or simply watching as a concerned citizen, the next chapter in this debate promises to be a major turning point for your community’s future.
Learn Today
Independent Airport District → A separate governing entity for an airport, not directly managed by local government, with its own decision-making powers.
Home Rule Charter → A legal framework granting local governments autonomy from the state to manage their own affairs unless overridden for specific reasons.
Parish Council → The elected legislative body governing a Louisiana parish, similar to a county commission elsewhere in the United States.
Airport Authority → An official agency or board responsible for managing and overseeing airport operations within a defined jurisdiction.
Resolution → A formal expression of opinion, intent, or decision officially adopted by a legislative body such as a parish council.
This Article in a Nutshell
A split emerges in Iberia Parish over House Bill 613, which seeks to create an independent airport district. While proponents tout economic benefits and flexibility, local leaders fear lost oversight. With key meetings approaching, the community stands at a crossroads regarding the future governance of Acadiana Regional and Lemaire Memorial Airports.
— By VisaVerge.com
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