Morrish SR No. 96
Requests the commissioner of agriculture to create the Louisiana Wine Agribusiness Task
Force within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to study and make
recommendations for growing and expanding the wine industry with respect to economic
impact, job growth, revenue generation, and tourism potential. Task force is to include at
a minimum the following or their designees:
(1) The speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) The president of the Senate.
(3) The commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
(4) The secretary of the La. Department of Economic Development.
(5) The secretary of the La. Department of Revenue.
(6) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture,
and Rural Development.
(7) The chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture,
and Rural Development.
(8) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and
International Affairs.
(9) The chairman of the House Committee on Commerce.
(10) A representative from the LSU AgCenter extension offices.
(11) A representative from the La. National Federation of Independent Business.
(12) A representative from the La. Wine Growers Association.
(13) A representative from the La. Farm Bureau.
(14) The commissioner of the La. Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.
(15) A representative of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
The task force is to convene no later than 9/1/13, and at the first meeting the task force shall
elect a chair, who shall be responsible for calling all subsequent meetings, and shall also elect
such other officers as it deems appropriate. The majority of the membership shall constitute
a quorum and any official action of the task force shall require a vote of the majority of the
quorum presenting and voting. Members shall serve without compensation, except any per
diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be individually entitled as members of
their respective organizations.
Requires report to the Senate and House committees on agriculture, forestry, aquaculture,
and rural development, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and
International Affairs, and the House Committee on Commerce no later than 3/1/14 and report
annually thereafter to the legislature not later than March 1.