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)]
LeBas HB No. 1045
Abstract: Clarifies the duties of the La. Rice Promotion Board, provides for certain assessments
to be levied and collected on dry rough "paddy" rice and rice sold on "green weight"
basis, provides for the transfer and use of funds, repeals the levy of additional
assessments, and repeals referenda for assessment purposes.
Present law empowers the La. Rice Promotion Board with the following duties:
(1)To plan and conduct referenda among producers for approval or disapproval of the
program.
(2)To advise the commissioner relative to the administration of the collection of
assessments.
(3)To enter into contracts for rice promotion, which may be with nonprofit organizations to
which members of the board may belong.
(4) To keep minutes, books, and records which reflect all meetings, acts, and transactions
which shall be subject to examination by any assessed rice producer.
(5)To publicize the actions of the board.
(6)To impose penalties for any violation of the provisions of present law.
Proposed law retains present law but removes the authority to plan and conduct referenda.
Present law provides for the levy of an assessment not to exceed 3¢ per hundredweight of dry
rough "paddy" rice and not to exceed 2.70¢ per hundredweight of "green-weight" rice, which
shall apply to all rice marketed by a producer. Further provides for the assessment to be
deducted by the miller or handler at the first point of sale. Additionally provides that the
assessment not be imposed unless approved by referendum vote of a majority of rice producers.
Proposed law retains present law collection provisions but changes present law assessment
amount from a 0-to-3¢ range to 3¢ per hundredweight on dry rough "paddy" rice and changes
present law assessment amount from a 0-to-2.70¢ range to 2.70¢ per hundredweight on "green
weight" rice and removes present law referendum provision for assessment purposes. Present law provides that any rice producer may receive a refund of the amount deducted from
the sale of his rice upon written application with the commissioner within 30 days from the sale
date supported by producer-signed copies of sales slips submitted prior to the accounting and
transfer of funds to the board. Further provides for a referendum vote of rice producers to
abolish the refund provisions which would render such refund null and void.
Proposed law retains present law provision for an assessment refund subject to written
application with the commissioner within a certain time period but removes present law
referendum requirements to abolish refund provisions.
Present law provides for the commissioner to annually pay to the board the funds collected less
administrative costs not to exceed 2% of the gross amount collected.
Proposed law retains present law relative to the transfer of funds to the board but changes
present law fund transfer period from annually to monthly.
Present law authorizes the board to dedicate the balance of funds to rice promotion, less expenses
of collection and administration and costs of referenda. Further provides that the board
determines organizations and agencies to contract for promotion services within or outside of the
state.
Proposed law retains present law provisions relative to the expenditure of funds for rice
promotion and contracted services but removes present law provision for fund allowance to
defray costs of referenda.
Present law provides for the imposition of assessments, effective for five crop years and extended
indefinitely in five-year increments, only by referendum vote of a majority of rice producers.
Further provides for criteria for referendum participation and notification of results.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides for additional assessments at a rate not to exceed 2¢ per hundredweight on
dry rough "paddy" rice and such assessment reduced by 10% on "green weight" rice. Further
provides that the additional assessments are subject to all other assessment requirements
including provisions for referenda and extension in five-year increments, subject to referenda.
Proposed law repeals present law.
(Amends R.S. 3:3533(E), 3534(Section Heading), (A)(1) and (2), (G), and (H)(1), and 3537(A);
Repeals R.S. 3:3534(B) and (I))