Session Update - April 1, 2016
The third week of the Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature finally saw an increase in tempo on several key issues. Several pieces of favorable legislation advanced in the process regarding oysters, hogs, and soil & water. A bill to require all raw agricultural products to be covered in transport was scheduled for a committee hearing, but it was deferred until next week. We're not sure what is on the horizon for agriculture and rural Louisiana, so stay tuned! Please participate in VoterVoice when asked and have a good weekend!
Click on any of the links below to view the entire bill.
HB 199 by Rep. Thibaut provides for a feral hog management program at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. This bill was voluntarily deferred by the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 209 by Rep. Brown repeals the sunset provision applicable to the Louisiana Scrap Metal Recyclers Law. This bill passed the House by a vote of 95 to 0 and was then referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.
HB 239 by Rep. Brown removes the waiting period on the sale of certain scrap metals. This bill was voluntarily deferred by the House Commerce Committee
HB 251 by Rep. Chaney provides relative to the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission members. This bill was reported favorably by the House Agriculture Committee and set on the House orders
HB 256 by Rep. Hunter provides with respect to the prohibition of any parish or municipality establishing a minimum wage rate. This bill was referred to the House Committee on House Labor and Industrial Relations.
HB 277 by Rep. Abramson expands the “Authentic Louisiana” wild seafood certification program criteria. This bill was withdrawn before consideration.
HB 278 by Rep. Bagley provides for the taking of outlaw quadrupeds. This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Natural Resources Committee but was not heard during that time.
HB 290 by Rep. Gisclair changes the name of certain oyster harvest gear from “dredge” to “scraper” and provides for limitations on the dimensions of the scrapers. This bill was reported favorably by the House Natural Resources Committee and is now scheduled to go before the full House.
HB 297 by Rep. Hunter provides a minimum wage for any municipality having a population between 48,000 and 49,000. This bill was referred to the House Committee on House Labor and Industrial Relations.
HB 303 by Rep. Leopold requires successful completion of an oyster harvester education program prior to applying for an oyster harvester license. This bill was reported favorably by the House Natural Resources Committee and is now set on the House orders.
HB 313 by Rep. Garofalo provides for disclosure of information to property owners whose property is subject to expropriation. This bill was voluntarily deferred by the House Civil Law Committee.
HB 332 by Rep. Montoucet modifies the composition of the La. Crawfish Promotion and Research Board. This bill was referred to the House Agriculture Committee.
HB 335 by Rep. Schexnayder provides for the establishment of an unmanned aerial system registration fee relative to agriculture. This bill was referred to the House Agriculture Committee.
HB 370 by Rep. Bouie establishes a state minimum wage. This bill was referred to the House Committee on House Labor and Industrial Relations.
HB 424 by Rep. Bishop extends the cooperative endeavor program for use of the state’s surface water resources. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 425 by Rep. Bouie allows any municipality with a population of over 320,000 to enact local minimum wage or employee benefit law. This bill was referred to the House Committee on House Labor and Industrial Relations.
HB 477 by Rep. Ivey provides for the dedication of mineral revenues. This bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
HB 504 by Rep. Ivey is a Constitutional Amendment to provide for the dedication of mineral revenues. This bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
HB 512 by Rep. Shadoin is a Constitutional Amendment to eliminate certain constitutional dedication of revenue. This bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
HB 515 by Rep. Anders provides relative to the inspection of meat. This bill was reported favorably by the House Agriculture Committee and is now set on the House orders.
HB 516 by Rep. Anders provides relative to the Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian Research and Promotion Board. This bill was reported favorably by the House Agriculture Committee and is now set on the House orders.
HB 523 by Rep. Carter provides relative to the Dairy Industry Promotion Law. This bill was reported favorably by the House Agriculture Committee and is now set on the House orders.
HB 526 by Rep. Carter requires permit for certain ground water users. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 527 by Rep. Carter prohibits certain uses of surface water from a scenic river. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 528 by Rep. Carter prohibits certain use of ground water and certain surface water and prohibits use for hydraulic fracking. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 553 by Rep. Marcelle designates and provides for critical areas of ground water concern. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 564 by Rep. Richard provides relative to authorized uses of the banks of navigable rivers and streams. This bill was discharged from the House Civil Law Committee and then withdrawn.
HB 568 by Rep. Richard requires a commercial motor vehicle driver’s license to transport certain commodities in commercial motor vehicles. This bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee.
HB 569 by Rep. Schexnayder provides relative to designated authorities for federal and state cooperation with provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act. This bill was referred to the House Agriculture Committee.
HB 578 by Rep. James is a Constitutional Amendment to authorize local governments to impose a tax on motor fuels. This bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
HB 592 by Rep. Anders provides with respect to the Agricultural Commodities Dealer and Warehouse law. This bill was reported favorably by the House Agriculture Committee and is now set on the House orders.
HB 601 by Rep. Jackson provides relative to the susceptibility of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry being declared an indispensible party in certain lawsuits. This bill was referred to the House Civil Law Committee.
HB 636 by Rep. Leopold amends the public oyster seed ground vessel permit. This bill was reported favorably by the House Natural Resources Committee and is now set on the House orders.
HB 703 by Rep. Johnson prohibits the withdrawal of water from Spring Bayou in Avoyelles Parish. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 819 by Rep. Morris provides for the Oilfield Site Restoration Fund. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 837 by Rep. Gisclair is relative to the Oilfield Site Restoration Program. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HB 840 by Rep. Havard provides relative to weight, size, height, and length limitations for certain vehicles for movement on roads.
HB 856 by Rep. Huval provides a limitation of liability for landowners who grant a rite of passage to cemeteries. This bill was voluntarily deferred by the House Civil Law Committee.
HB 902 by Rep. Leopold provides a process by which the oyster lease moratorium can be lifted. This bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
HCR 9 by Rep. Thibaut creates the Feral Hog Management Advisory Task Force. This bill passed the House and was then referred to the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
HR 3 by Rep. Schexnayder recognizes St. James Parish as the Perique Tobacco Capital of the World. This resolution is now enrolled.
SB 26 by Sen. Allain provides relative to servitudes of natural drainage. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary A.
SB 29 by Sen LaFleur provides relative to the sale of raw milk by a farmer to a consumer. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.
SB 105 by Sen. Peacock requires certain commodities to be covered when transported on certain highways. This bill was voluntarily deferred by the Senate Transportation Committee.
SB 124 by Sen. Claitor creates the crime of criminal trespass by unmanned aircraft. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary C.
SB 141 by Sen. Claitor adds surveillance by unmanned aircraft to the crime of criminal trespass. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary C.
SB 165 by Sen. Allain requires landowner notification when an operator transfers an oil or gas well. This bill was referred to the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
SB 244 by Sen. Milkovich allows year-round nighttime hunting of feral hogs and coyotes on private property. This bill was referred to the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
SB 257 by Sen. Walsworth provides relative to underground storage tanks and the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. This bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
SB 269 by Sen. Peterson provides for an increase in the state minimum wage. This bill was reported favorably as amended by the Senate Committee on Senate Labor and Industrial Relations.
SB 298 by Sen. Peterson creates the Louisiana Family and Medical Leave Act. This bill was referred to the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.
SB 345 by Sen. Ward establishes the Feral Hog Task Force. This bill was reported favorably by the Senate Natural Resources Committee.