Louisiana House Bill HB1056

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/24/14
• Refer: 3/25/14
• Report Pass: 3/31/14
• Engrossed: 4/14/14
• Refer: 4/15/14
• Report Pass: 4/29/14
• Enrolled: 5/14/14
• Chaptered: 5/22/14
• Passed: 5/22/14

Caption

Provides relative to assessments levied by the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Impact

The bill impacts state laws concerning agricultural assessments, particularly related to crawfish production. By eliminating the referendum requirement for levying assessments, the legislation allows for more direct and efficient financial management by the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board. The proposed assessments include a set amount levied on each product, which is expected to bolster the board's ability to fund promotional activities and research initiatives critical to the crawfish industry’s growth. This shift is seen as required for sustaining the economic viability of this local industry in an increasingly competitive market.

Summary

House Bill 1056 introduces various amendments aimed at managing assessments levied by the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board. The bill seeks to streamline financial responsibilities related to crawfish farming by imposing assessments on artificial crawfish bait, crawfish tail meat, and bags used for packaging live crawfish. Notably, the proposed changes include removing the requirement for referenda to be held before implementing these financial assessments. This shift is intended to facilitate quicker implementation of necessary funding mechanisms to support the crawfish industry in Louisiana.

Sentiment

Overall, sentiment regarding HB 1056 appears mixed. Supporters assert that the bill will positively impact the local crawfish economy by ensuring essential funding without prolonged delays associated with referendum voting. Conversely, detractors may be concerned that bypassing referenda limits the input of farmers and harvesters regarding financial obligations imposed on them. The emphasis on assessments without local voting may lead to some pushback from community stakeholders wary of losing control over financial decisions that directly affect their livelihoods.

Contention

One notable point of contention within the discussions surrounding HB 1056 is the balance between efficient regulation and democratic input from fishermen and farmers. Critics argue that removing the referendum requirement could set a precedent for diminishing the role of local stakeholders in decisions that significantly affect their financial responsibilities. As such, while the bill is likely to pass given its potential benefits to the industry, it may foster ongoing debates concerning the governance structure of agricultural assessments in Louisiana.