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)]
Thompson HB No. 782
Abstract: Provides that monies collected by the state from the use or withdrawal of surface
water owned by the state shall be deposited into the Aquatic Plant Control Fund to be
used for the control and eradication of aquatic weed in Louisiana's water bodies.
Present law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to collect monies from entities that
use or remove surface waters of the state. Present law allows entities who withdraw water from
the state to reimburse the state at a fair market value that includes certain economic
considerations. Proposed law requires that entities who remove water from bodies, determined
by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to be negatively impacted by invasive aquatic
vegetation, to reimburse the state at fair market value with no consideration for economic
development or other considerations as provided in present law.
Present law establishes the Aquatic Plant Control Fund and deposits into the fund monies from
boat trailer registration fees. Present law further provides that monies in the fund shall be used to
control and eradicate aquatic weeds. Proposed law retains present law and further deposits
monies collected from the use or withdrawal of surface water owned by the state into the Aquatic
Plant Control Fund. Proposed law further provides that revenues deposited into the fund from
the use of water from bodies with aquatic weed should be used preferably in the treatment of
aquatic weed on those bodies of water from which the revenue was generated.
(Amends R.S. 30:961(B) and R.S. 56:10.1(B); Adds R.S. 30:691(J) and (K))