The Build Baton Rouge (BBR) legislation was enacted in 2007.
SIRA legislation was enacted in 2015.
At least one elected official has indicated that Senator Barrow Peacock "gutted" the Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Agency (SIRA )legislation deleting certain powers.
In most instances the two acts are mirrors--they contain the same basic terms in the same basic order.
Comparing the two acts, one difference is the process for an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action to quiet title to immovable property held by BBR versus SIRA. These provisions encompass formally adjudicated properties acquired by BBR/SIRA from a political subdivision, i.e. the parish or the city. This difference is not significant for the purposes of SIRA.
A much more important distinction, and the one referred to as being deleted by Barrow, deals with the "levy of taxes and call for any tax or other election". BBR has this explicit authority. This language is EXCLUDED in the SIRA act.
It is important to note that BBR has powers NOT granted to SIRA including:
a. To levy and collect ad valorem taxes;
b. To issue general obligation bonds for the acquisition and operation of the BBR;
c. Priority granted to a bid by BBR at a tax sale for the minimum amount over all other bids for the same property EXCEPT for higher bid by a conventional mortgage holder on the subject property
There are other differences in the two acts that deal that are not that relevant as far as the powers of BBR versus SIRA.
A more exhaustive review is most likely needed by the permanent Director to fully effectuate the powers and authorities of SIRA. Both the draft Master Plan Update and the report by Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Summer Fellow have emphasized the need for SIRA to have an expansive role. To date SIRA has had very limited activity.