Louisiana 2015 2015 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB668 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    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 668 Engrossed	2015 Regular Session	Hill
Abstract:  Repeals the prohibition on enforcement of the federal rules on the use of turtle excluder
devices in shrimp trawls used in state waters.
Present law prohibits the enforcement in state waters of federal regulations that require the use of
turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawls until certain conditions and data can be determined and
verified.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Proposed law requires wildlife agents to wear body cameras from Aug. 1, 2015 to Aug. 1, 2016, at
all times while enforcing turtle excluder device requirements.
Proposed law requires the La. Shrimp Task Force to submit a written report to the House Committee
on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources by Feb. 1,
2018, with recommendations for whether or not the use of turtle excluder devices should be enforced
in state waters and the rules and regulations under which such devices should be enforced in state
waters.
Proposed law provides any seafood retailer who boycotts shrimp caught in La. waters after the
passage of proposed law shall be ineligible for any tax credit or rebates or any other type of incentive
provided by the state.
(Repeals R.S. 56:57.2 as enacted by Act 283 of the 1987 R.S. and R.S. 56:57.2 as enacted by Act
891 of the 1987 R.S. as amended)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Require  wildlife agents to wear body cameras from Aug. 1, 2015 to Aug. 1, 2016, at all
times while enforcing turtle excluder device requirements.
2. Make any seafood retailer who boycotts shrimp caught in La. waters after the passage of
proposed law ineligible for any tax credit or rebates or any other type of incentive
provided by the state.