HLS 12RS-950 ENGROSSED Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2012 HOUSE BILL NO. 245 BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON AND SENATOR MORRELL FISHING: Removes the sunset date for deposits from the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to the Underwater Obstruction Fund AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4) and to repeal R.S. 30:101.11, relative to the2 Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund and the Fishermen's Gear Compensation3 Fund; to remove the termination date for deposits from the Fishermen's Gear4 Compensation Fund to the Underwater Obstruction Fund; to remove the termination5 date from the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund; and to provide for related6 matters.7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8 Section 1. R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:9 ยง700.2. Establishment, continuance, and purposes of fund; geographical coverage;10 assessments11 A. There is hereby established in the state treasury a Fishermen's Gear12 Compensation Fund into which amounts paid pursuant to this Section shall be13 deposited. The fund shall be available to the secretary only for the following14 purposes:15 * * *16 (4) On July 1, 2001 and on each July first thereafter and ending after June17 30, 2012, the The state treasurer shall annually deposit annually, the amount of two18 hundred fifty thousand dollars into the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund as19 HLS 12RS-950 ENGROSSED HB NO. 245 Page 2 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. provided in R.S. 30:101.9. The department shall seek to match these funds with1 whatever federal or state funds may be available for such purposes.2 * * *3 Section 2. R.S. 30:101.11 is hereby repealed in its entirety.4 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not5 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature6 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If7 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become8 effective on the day following such approval.9 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Harrison HB No. 245 Abstract: Removes the termination date for deposits from the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund and removes the termination date for the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund. Present law establishes the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to provide for compensation to commercial fishermen whose fishing gear is damaged as a result of shagging underwater obstructions when the owner of such obstruction cannot be determined. Present law further establishes the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund to provide funds to locate and remove underwater obstructions when the owner of such obstruction cannot be determined. Present law, until June 30, 2012, further provides for an annual transfer of $250,000 from the Fisherman's Gear Compensation Fund into the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund. Proposed law removes the termination date for the transfer of funds from the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund into the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund. Proposed law further removes the termination date for the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund. Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action. (Amends R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4); Repeals R.S. 30:101.11)