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)]
HB 198 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session St. Germain
Abstract: Increases the fees for participation in the commercial crab fishery and increases the
dedications to the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program and the Crab Promotion and
Marketing Account.
Present law provides for a $35 commercial crab trap gear license fee for any number of legal crab
traps. Dedicates $5 from each license to the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program Account and $5
to the Crab Promotion and Marketing Account. Exempts residents who hold a senior commercial
fishing license.
Proposed law increases the gear license fee from $35 to $50. Increases the two dedications from $5
to $10 each. Specifies that while holders of a commercial senior fishing license are exempt from the
gear fee, they are not exempt from the tag fee.
Present law provides for a nonresident gear fee equal to four times the resident rate. In this case, the
nonresident gear fee for crab traps is $140. Dedicates $20 from each license to the Derelict Crab
Trap Removal Program Account and $20 to the Crab Promotion and Marketing Account. Exempts
residents who hold a senior commercial fishing license.
Proposed law leaves the nonresident rate at four times the resident rate which would become $200
per year and increases the dedications to each program from $20 to $40.
(Amends R.S. 56:305(B)(2) and (C)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Increase nonresident crab trap gear license fee from $140 per year to $200 per year.
2. Increase the dedications of revenue from the nonresident gear fee to the Derelict Crab
Trap Removal Program Account and the Crab Promotion and Marketing Account
from $20 to $40.
3. Remove authorization for a buoy tagging system for identification of the crab trap
owners.