Session Update - April 18, 2016
It was a very active week in the Louisiana legislature. Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees met to consider bills. We were successful in deferring SB 105 by Sen. Peacock that would require all agricultural commodities to be covered when transported on certain highways. SB 29 by Sen. Lafleur regarding the sale of raw milk passed favorably out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee over the objections of Commissioner Strain, Dr. Jimmy Guidry, Director of Health and Hospitals, and Farm Bureau. Another issue that is of importance to us is SB 437 by Sen. Morrish which would abolish the LA Rice Research and Promotion Boards and create a new joint board. We are working this bill along with our LFBF Rice Advisory Committee.
Read More
Session Update - April 11, 2016
This week at the legislature was relatively quiet for Ag. Neither the Senate nor the House Ag Committees met this week. A bill to mandate covering of raw agricultural products in transport was not moved by its author for the second week in a row. Quiet is nice every once in a while. A political storm for Agriculture and rural Louisiana approaches. Several bills were filed this week that do great damage to Agriculture and Agribusiness. Sales tax exclusions and exemptions for raw agricultural products and inputs are under extremely close scrutiny and so are the tax credit for dairy producers and the franchise tax exemption for agricultural credit and marketing cooperatives.
Read More
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!
Read More
Session Update - March 21, 2016
Week one of the 85-day regular session began without a bang. After a most intense special session, only around 1200 bills have been filed, with a possible 720 bills that can still be filed by the second filing deadline. That will probably be when the most controversial bills would be filed. Stay close, and participate in VoterVoice, if asked. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the floods.
Read More
2013 Session Summary
The 2013 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Legislature ended last night at 6pm. Thankfully, all of our efforts to help the LSU AgCenter’s budget proved successful. We fought many different battles on a daily basis to promote and protect agriculture and rural Louisiana. The Farm Bureau membership played an active role in contacting legislators and other elected officials when called upon. Huge thanks to our volunteer leaders and staff for helping layout the groundwork before the session ever started. Everyone’s hard work paid off to assist in keeping Louisiana agriculture strong and competitive in the world market.
Read More
2012 Session Summary
The 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature ended this past Monday, June 6th at 6pm. Farm Bureau kept busy promoting and protecting agriculture and rural Louisiana by passing, killing, and amending legislation.
Read More
