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)]
Leopold HB No. 1046
Abstract: Provides for standards for marketable oysters and the packaging and labeling thereof.
Present law authorizes shell stock oysters to be sold by volumetric measure, weight, or count.
Proposed law requires all such oysters to be market size and wholesome.
Present law requires all oysters taken from the natural reefs to be more than three inches from
hinge to mouth. Provides that no "captain, canner, packer, commission man, or other person"
shall possess oysters less than three inches from hinge to mouth. Proposed law applies this
prohibition to "any person".
Present law authorizes the "department" at one of its monthly meetings to close any or all of the
natural reefs to the harvest of oysters or set harvest size limits. Proposed law makes the technical
change from "department" to "commission".
Present law provides for a standard measure for a barrel of oysters and a sack of oysters.
Proposed law requires all shucked oysters to be labeled and packaged as required under the Natl.
Shellfish Sanitation Program and the Natl. Institute of Standards and Technology. Further
requires that all licensed oyster captains, harvesters, and certified wholesale/retail dealers of shell
stock and shucked oyster products verify that oysters being sold are in compliance with these
standards.
(Amends R.S. 3:4631(B) and (C) and R.S. 56:433(A) and (E) and 440)