Session Update - July 10, 2024

We are pleased to present the final report for the 2024 regular session of the Louisiana legislature, which began on March 11 and ended on June 3. This session proved to be highly successful for Louisiana agriculture and Farm Bureau. Following are the key achievements and notable activities:

 1. Defeated Legislation: We successfully defeated four pieces of legislation concerning the running waters property rights issue on six separate occasions. Despite two bills resurfacing, we remained vigilant and ensured their defeat once again. 

 2. Restoration of the Term "Agriculture": We were able to reclaim the term "agriculture" from the Delta Area Agricultural Sustainability Center. This prevented the misuse of our name to obtain funds that would otherwise have been directed toward LSU, Southern research centers, or surrounding universities.

 3. Crawfish Promotion Board Bill: Our efforts resulted in the passage of the crawfish promotion board bill, which altered the quorum makeup. This change will facilitate easier attainment of quorums, allowing the board to convene more effectively.

 4. Occupational License Bill: We made significant contributions to the governor's bill on occupational licenses. Amendments were made to include reciprocity for landscapers, nurserymen, agricultural consultants, and agricultural aviators in relation to pesticide regulations.

 5. Livestock Liability Bill: We supported the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association in passing their livestock liability bill. The bill removed strict liability from the law concerning farmers' livestock escaping due to someone else's actions. 

 6. Raw Milk Issue: We addressed the raw milk issue, resulting in a bill that permits the sale of raw milk directly from the farm. However, transportation of raw milk remains prohibited, as our insurance company does not provide coverage for such activities. 

 7. Budget Assistance: We provided assistance to the LSU Ag Center by securing $4 million for it's budget. Additionally, we supported the soil and water conservation districts with a $400,000 amendment to its annual appropriation.

 8. Constitutional Convention: We closely monitored matters related to the constitutional convention. Although the convention did not take place during this term, we remained vigilant and engaged. 

 9. Equine Promotion Board: We assisted the equine promotion board in obtaining an annual appropriation of $750,000 to support their initiatives. 

 10. Legislative Appreciation Dinners: Due to the three legislative sessions earlier this year, most of our legislative appreciation dinners had to be canceled. However, we have plans to organize four or five more dinners in the fall and spring, ensuring our gratitude is expressed for their past support.

We are extremely thankful to Representative Jack McFarland, who serves as the chairman of the appropriations committee in the House. His invaluable support made our efforts much more manageable and successful. We also want to express our gratitude to all the board members who provided individual assistance throughout the session. Your influence and respect with the legislature are truly impressive, and we appreciate your unwavering commitment. Please feel free to approach Sandy and me during the convention if you have any questions, comments, or pertinent statements. Once again, thank you for your dedication and support. 

HB 1 by Rep. Jack McFarland provides for the ordinary operating expenses of state government for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  This bill was reported favorably as amended by the Senate Finance Committee.  It was set on the Senate orders, but returned to the calendar – subject to call.

HB 91 by Rep. Tony Bacala provides relative to the crime of criminal trespass on running waters of the state.  This bill was heard by the House Committee on House Administration of Criminal Justice but failed to pass out of committee.

HB 97 by Rep. Dixon McMakin provides relative to the crime of solicitation on certain highways and streets.  This bill passed the Senate as amended by a vote of 26 to 12 and sent back to the House for concurrence.

HB 118 by Rep. Candace Newell provides relative to certain pre-dispute arbitration agreements in the workplace.  This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 32 to 2 and is now enrolled.

HB 119 by Rep. Troy Romero provides relative to the duration of unemployment compensation benefits and provides for extended benefits.  This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 27 to 11 and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

HB 134 by Rep. Troy Romero provides relative to the regulation of fuel used in agricultural machinery.  This bill was signed by the Governor and goes into effect August 1, 2024.

HB 150 by Rep. C. Travis Johnson provides relative to the Delta Agriculture Research and Sustainability District.  This bill the Senate as amended by a vote of 36 to 0 and then the House concurred in Senate amendments by a vote of 99 to 0.

HB 160 by Rep. Larry Bagley authorizes manufacturers and wine producers to sell and ship sparkling or still wine directly to retail dealers.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, April 18, but was removed from the hearing. 

HB 169 by Rep. Robby Carter provides relative to liability and damages resulting from carbon sequestration.  This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 35 to 0 and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

HB 224 by Rep. Timothy Kerner prohibits ownership of any animal by a person who has been convicted of cruelty to animals.  This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 0 and is now enrolled.

HB 238 by Rep. Michael Echols provides relative to agriculture land protection against foreign adversaries.  This bill passed the House as amended by a vote of 89 to 7, then passed the Senate by a vote of 38 to 0 and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

HB 240 by Rep. Troy Romero provides relative to the Louisiana Weights and Measures Law.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on August 1, 2024.

HB 276 by Rep. Robby Carter requires that carbon dioxide sequestration activity comply with local land use planning.  This bill was rescheduled to be heard by the House Committee on House Natural Resources and Environment on Wednesday, April 17, but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 279 by Rep. Danny McCormick provides relative to the boundaries of the Caddo-Bossier Port.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Transportation Committee on March 14, but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 284 by Rep. Chris Turner provides relative to the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 23, 2024.

HB 290 by Rep. C. Denise Marcelle establishes a state minimum wage rate.  This bill was voluntarily deferred by the House Committee on House Labor and Industrial Relations.

HB 327 by Rep. Jack McFarland provides relative to timber harvesting operations.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on August 1, 2024.

HB 342 by Rep. Jerome (Zee) Zeringue prohibits holding or storing oysters in containers in unapproved of closed areas.  This bill was referred to the House Committee on House Natural Resources and Environment and was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 345 by Rep. Delisha Boyd requires a license plate on the front of a motor vehicle for identification purposes.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Transportation Committee but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 346 by Rep. Rhonda Butler provides relative to arboricultural and utility arboricultural examination and license renewal requirements.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on August 1, 2024.

HB 349 by Rep. Danny McCormick removes the need for a hunting license for the taking of outlaw quadrupeds, nutria, and beavers, and removes the requirement to contact the sheriff’s office in relation to the taking of an outlaw quadruped, nutria, or beaver.  This bill was heard by the House Committee on House Natural Resources and Environment but failed to pass out of committee.

HB 350 by Rep. Joseph Orgeron authorizes the use of state property for seafood research.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will go into effect August 1, 2024.

HB 370 by Rep. Joseph Orgeron allows any wine producer or manufacturer to sell sparkling and still wine on or off premises and ship directly to a consumer.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, April 18, but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 409 by Rep. Gabe Firment provides relative to harassment of hunters, trappers, and fishermen on lands and waters managed by the state.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on August 1, 2024.

HB 431 by Rep. Delisha Boyd provides relative to the state minimum wage.  This bill as voluntarily deferred in the House Committee on House Labor & Industrial Relations.

HB 467 by Rep. Kim Landry Coates provides relative to the sale of raw milk.  This bill passed the Senate as amended by a vote of 35 to 1 and was sent back to the House for concurrence.

HB 474 by Rep. Kim Landry Coates prohibits the use of natural wetlands as tertiary treatment in wastewater assimilation projects.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 98 to 1, and then passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 0, and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

HB 487 by Rep. Candance Newell provides relative to surcharges for credit and debit card use.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Commerce Committee but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 492 by Rep. Brett Geymann provides relative to eminent domain.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 94 to 4, passed the Senate as amended by a vote of 38 to 0, but the House refused to concur in Senate amendments. The conference report passed the House and is now pending Senate concurrence.

HB 516 by Rep. Shane Mack provides relative to carbon dioxide sequestration.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 95 to 0, passed the Senate by a vote of 35 to 0, the House concurred on Senate amendments by a vote of 94 to 0 and the bill is now enrolled.

HB 529 by Rep. Raymond Crews provides relative to the determination of the average weekly wage.  This bill passed the house by a vote of 63 to 34 , was reported favorably as amended from the Senate Committee on Senate Labor and Industrial Relations, and was then set on the Senate orders.  The bill was then returned to the calendar – subject to call.

HB 532 by Rep. Bryan Fontenot provides relative to the seizure of animals by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  This bill was reported favorably from the House Committee on House Natural Resources and Environment, set on the House orders, and then returned to the calendar – subject to call.

HB 584 by Rep. Timothy Kerner prohibits the sale of farm-raised shrimp in Louisiana.  This bill was referred to the House Committee on House Health & Welfare where it was voluntarily deferred.

HB 587 by Rep. Marcus Bryant provides relative to liability insurance for arborists. This bill was reported favorably from the House Agriculture Committee as substituted and is now set on the House orders.

HB 612 by Rep. Jack McFarland provides a voluntary process for pipeline crossing disputes.  This bill was reported favorably by the Senate Transportation Committee as amended and was then set on the Senate orders.  It was then returned to the calendar – subject to call.

HB 617 by Rep. Daryl Deshotel provides relative to broadband.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 100 to 0, passed the Senate by a vote of 37 to 0, and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

HB 625 by Rep. Rodney Lyons limits certain actions taken by governmental entities on private property owners.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on House Civil Law on Monday, April 15, but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

HB 670 by Rep. Edmond Jordan provides relative to the Healthy Food Retail Act.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 85 to 11, passed the Senate by a vote of 30 to 6 and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.  The Governor vetoed this bill on May 28.

HB 686 by Rep. Jack McFarland provides relative to pipeline servitudes.  This bill  passed the House by a vote of 100 to 0, and was then reported favorably from the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary A.  It was set on the Senate orders, but was returned to the calendar – subject to call.

HB 696 by Rep. Brett Geymann authorized unitization for carbon dioxide sequestration.  This bill was reported favorably as substituted by the House Committee on House Natural Resources and Environment.  The substitute bill is House bill 966.

HB 700 by Rep. Daryl Deshotel provides relative to broadband.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 101 to 0, passed the Senate by a vote of 34 to 0, and was sent back to the House for concurrence.  The House refused to concur in Senate amendments and conference committees have been established for review.

HB 716 by Rep. Charles Owen provides for universal recognition of occupational licenses.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 96 to 8, passed the Senate by a vote of 30 to 6, then the House concurred in Senate amendments by a vote of 95 to 0, and the bill is now enrolled.

HB 784 by Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn provides relative to liability for damages caused by livestock.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 99 to 4 and then passed the Senate by a vote of 39 to 0 and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

SB 37 by Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter provides for feral hog hunting.  This bill was reported favorably from  the Senate Committee on Senate Natural Resources, set on the Senate orders, and then returned to the calendar – subject to call.

SB 40 by Sen. Robert Allain provides relative to seafood safety.  This Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 35 to 0 and the bill is now enrolled.

SB 51 by Sen. Jay Morris extends applicability of both aggravated and simple obstruction of a highway of commerce to state waters.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary C on March 19 but was voluntarily deferred in committee.

SB 60 by Sen. Thomas Pressly provides relative to occupational licenses.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on August 1, 2024.

SB 64 by Sen. Mike Reese provides for changes to the Water Sector Program.  The Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 34 to 0 and the bill is now enrolled.

SB 65 by Sen. Bob Hensgens recreates the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will go into effect on June 30, 2024.

SB 81 by Sen. Robert Allain provides for prescribed burning by non-certified prescribed burn managers.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect on May 28, 2024.

SB 82 by Sen. Robert Allain provides relative to the state chemist.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 15, 2024.

SB 93 by Sen. Valarie Hodges prohibits commercial motor vehicles from driving on Louisiana Highway 1019 between Louisiana Highway 16 and Louisiana Highway 64.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee on April 3.

SB 104 by Sen. Bill Wheat, Jr. provides relative to livestock found at large.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 15, 2024.

SB 108 by Sen. Alan Seabaugh provides relative to expropriation.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on August 1, 2024.

SB 114 by Sen. Stewart Cathey, Jr. provides relative to meat and poultry inspection.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 13, 2024.

SB 117 by Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews creates the Agricultural Meteorology Program.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 13, 2024.

SB 166 by Sen. Patrick Connick provides relative to the seafood safety.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will be go into effect on January 1, 2025.

SB 173 by Sen. Gary Carter provides relative to the state minimum wage.  This bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Senate Labor and Industrial Relations but the vote failed in committee.

SB 180 by Sen. Regina Barrow is a constitutional amendment to establish a state minimum wage.  This bill was voluntarily deferred by the Senate Committee on Senate Labor and Industrial Relations.

SB 229 by Sen. Robert Allain provides relative to management of alligator populations.  This bill was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday, April 17, but was removed from the hearing.

SB 230 by Sen. Royce Duplessis provides for microbrewery retail sales on or off premises.  This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary B.

SB 235 by Sen. Bob Hensgens provides relative to the regulation of sports wagering.  This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 0, passed the House by a vote of 92 to 0, and is now enrolled.

SB 237 by Sen. Thomas Pressly provides relative to industrial hemp.  This bill was set on the House orders but was returned to the calendar - subject to call.

SB 238 by Sen. Alan Seabaugh provides relative to pipeline crossings.  This bill passed favorably as amended by the Senate Committee on Senate Judiciary A and is now set on the Senate orders.

SB 249 by Sen. Steward Cathey, Jr. provides relative to the Louisiana Agricultural Chemistry and Seed Commission.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 21, 2024.

SB 260 by Sen. Heather Cloud provides for transfer of commercial truck permits from truck to truck within the same company.  This bill was signed by the Governor and will go into effect on August 1, 2024.

SB 282 by Sen. Beth Mizell provides relative to broadband.  This bill was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.

SB 287 by Sen. Royce Duplessis provides relative to the Healthy Foods Retail Act.  This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 38 to 1, then passed the House by a vote of 89 to 4.  The Governor vetoed the bill on May 24.

SB 290 by Sen. Beth Mizell provides relative to the sale of dairy products.  This bill was voluntarily deferred by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

SB 298 by Sen. Heather Cloud removes penalties on truckers for going over axle weight if they are under gross weight.  This bill was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

SB 302 by Sen. Stewart Cathey Jr. prohibits issuing traffic violation citations in certain circumstances.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 21, 2024.

SB 326 by Sen. Mike Reese provides for training and education on post traumatic stress and emotion support for certain fighters.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect on May 23, 2024.

SB 328 by Sen. Mike Reese provides relative to training for volunteer firefighters on forest fire and wildfire suppression.  This bill was signed by the Governor and went into effect May 28, 2024

SB 360 by Sen. Heather Cloud restricts issuance of speeding tickets in certain circumstances. This bill was voluntarily deferred by the Senate Transportation Committee.

SB 366 by Sen. Jeremy Stine provides relative to the workers’ compensation weekly wage.  This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Senate Labor and Industrial Relations.