SLS 13RS-1804 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 96
BY SENATOR MORRISH
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES. Requests the commissioner of agriculture to create
the Louisiana Wine Agribusiness Task Force within the Department of Agriculture and
Forestry.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the commissioner of agriculture to create the Louisiana Wine2
Agribusiness Task Force within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to study3
and make recommendations to the legislature for growing and expanding the wine4
industry with respect to economic impact, job growth, revenue generation, and5
tourism potential.6
WHEREAS, Louisiana wine agribusiness means the cultivation, harvest, production,7
distribution, transportation, sale and consumption of native grown grapes and produced8
wine; and9
WHEREAS, the wine agribusiness should promote and foster the growth of10
Louisiana agricultural business; and11
WHEREAS, surrounding states have nurtured a thriving wine agribusiness industry12
from Virginia to Texas, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for their state's general13
fund; and14
WHEREAS, these same states are gainfully employing tens of thousands in full-time15
jobs directly and indirectly related to the wine growing industry.16
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Senate does hereby urge and17
request the commissioner of agriculture to create the Louisiana Wine Agribusiness Task18 SR NO. 96
SLS 13RS-1804 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
Force within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to study and make1
recommendations to the legislature for growing and expanding the wine industry with2
respect to economic impact, job growth, revenue generation, and tourism potential.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wine Agribusiness Task Force4
shall at a minimum include the following members or their designees:5
(1) The speaker of the House of Representatives.6
(2) The president of the Senate.7
(3) The commissioner of agriculture and forestry.8
(4) The secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.9
(5) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue.10
(6) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture,11
and Rural Development.12
(7) The chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture,13
and Rural Development.14
(8) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and15
International Affairs.16
(9) The chairman of the House Committee on Commerce.17
(10) A representative from the LSU AgCenter extension offices.18
(11) A representative from the Louisiana National Federation of Independent19
Business.20
(12) A representative from the Louisiana Wine Growers Association.21
(13) A representative from the Louisiana Farm Bureau.22
(14) The commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. 23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall convene no later than24
September 1, 2013, and at the first meeting the task force shall elect a chair, who shall be25
responsible for calling all subsequent meetings, and shall also elect such other officers as it26
deems appropriate. The majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum and any27
official action of the task force shall require a vote of the majority of the quorum presenting28
and voting.29
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve30 SR NO. 96
SLS 13RS-1804 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
without compensation, except any per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may1
be individually entitled as members of their respective organizations.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall report its findings, together3
with any recommendations for action, to the House and Senate agriculture committees and4
House and Senate commerce committees no later than March 1, 2014, and shall thereafter5
report annually to the legislature not later than March 1.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the7
commissioner of agriculture, the chairmen of the committees and other representatives8
named herein.9
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Curry Johnson.
DIGEST
Morrish SR No. 96
Requests the commissioner of agriculture to create the Louisiana Wine Agribusiness Task
Force within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.