SLS 14RS-1697 REENGROSSED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 664
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
AGRICULTURE/FOREST COMR. Authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and
forestry to receive and investigate complaints about prescribed burns and to revoke his
authorization in certain situations. (8/1/14)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 3:17(B) and to enact R.S. 3:17(F), relative to prescribed burning;2
to provide for the powers, duties, and authority of the commissioner of agriculture3
and forestry; to allow the commissioner to receive complaints of prescribed burns4
and investigate such complaints; to provide the commissioner with authority to5
suspend or revoke certain authorizations; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 3:17(B) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 3:17(F) is hereby8
enacted to read as follows: 9
ยง17. Prescribed burning; intent and purpose; authorization; definitions10
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B. The commissioner of agriculture and forestry shall adopt and promulgate12
voluntary rules and regulations, consistent with applicable state and federal law, and13
the general intent and purpose of this Section, to authorize and promote the14
continued use of prescribed burning for ecological, silvicultural, wildlife15
management, agricultural, and range management purposes. Such rules and16
regulations shall be adopted and promulgated by the commissioner pursuant17 SB NO. 664
SLS 14RS-1697 REENGROSSED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.1
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F. Persons who wish to complain about certain prescribed burns shall3
issue their complaints to the commissioner. The commissioner shall investigate4
such complaints and have the authority to suspend or revoke his authorization5
for the prescribed burn for persons found to be in violation of the prescribed6
burn requirements or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this7
Section.8
The original instrument was prepared by Heyward Jeffers. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Thomas L. Tyler.
DIGEST
Cortez (SB 664)
Present law requires the commissioner of agriculture and forestry to adopt and promulgate
voluntary rules and regulations, consistent with applicable state and federal law, the intent
and general purpose is to authorize and promote the continued use of prescribed burning for
ecological, sivicultural, wildlife management, agricultural, and range management purposes.
Proposed law requires the rules and regulations to be adopted and promulgated by the
commissioner pursuant to the provisions of the APA. Proposed law provides that complaints
by citizens about prescribed burns shall be made to the commissioner, who shall investigate
such complaints and who will possess the authority to suspend or revoke his authorization
issued to persons found to be in violation of the prescribed burn requirements or rules and
regulations.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 3:17(B); adds R.S. 3:17(F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Environmental Quality
to the engrossed bill
1. Requires the rules and regulations to be adopted pursuant to the APA.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Technical amendments.