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)]
Lambert HB No. 1056
Abstract: Provides for certain assessments to be levied, imposed, and collected on artificial
crawfish bait, crawfish tail meat, and on bags used to package live crawfish; removes the
appointment term for members of the La. Crawfish Promotion and Research Board; and
removes the authority for referenda for assessment purposes.
Present law provides for an assessment to be levied and imposed, subject to a referendum, of 1/4
of 1¢ per pound on artificial crawfish bait to be paid by the crawfish farmers and harvesters.
Proposed law retains present law provision for the levy of an assessment on artificial crawfish
bait but removes present law referendum requirement for assessment purposes.
Present law provides for an assessment to be levied and imposed, subject to a referendum, on
each bag used to package live crawfish in the amount of 1¢ for bags holding less than 25 pounds
of crawfish and 2¢ on bags holding 25 or more pounds, to be paid by crawfish farmers and
harvesters who purchase the bags. Provides for the expiration of the initial assessment if
approved in a referendum.
Proposed law retains present law provision for the levy of an assessment on bags used to package
live crawfish by certain weight but removes present law referendum requirement for assessment
purposes.
Present law provides for an assessment of 1¢ per pound on crawfish tail meat sold in the state
subject to a referendum vote by a majority of producers.
Proposed law retains present law assessment relative to crawfish tail meat but removes present
law referendum requirement for assessment purposes.
Present law allows the assessment on crawfish tail meat to collected at the first point of sale by
the producer or distributor and remitted to the LDAF by a certain date, only if the assessment is
approved by a referendum.
Proposed law retains present law stipulation for crawfish tail meat assessment collection at the
first point of sale but removes present law referendum requirement for assessment purposes.
Present law provides that members of the board be appointed for terms concurrent with that of
the commissioner making the appointment. Further provides that members serve until their successors are appointed and sworn into office.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides that no assessment be levied or imposed unless approved by a majority of
farmers and harvesters voting in a referendum. Further provides for the effective date of the
assessment which may be reimposed indefinitely in five-year increments. Additionally provides
for certain criteria to be met for participation in the referenda as conducted by the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry and provides that reimposition assessments on artificial
bait and bags be conducted separately.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides for a referendum to abolish an assessment to be called by the board if 1/3 of
the crawfish tail meat producers submit a petition for such purpose. Provides for the effective
date of an approved or abolished assessment. Defines the criteria for referendum participation.
Provides for the LDAF to conduct the referendum and for the notification of referendum results.
Proposed law repeals present law.
(Amends R.S. 3:556.6(A) and (B) and 556.14(A) and (H); Repeals R.S. 3:556.3(D), 556.7, and
556.14(B), (C), (E), (F), and (G))