HLS 16RS-519 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 277
BY REPRESENTATIVE ABRAMSON
FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Expands the "Authentic Louisiana" wild seafood certification
program criteria
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:578.15(A), relative to the Louisiana Wild Seafood
3 Certification Program; to provide for certain criteria to apply when evaluating
4 whether fish qualify for designation under the program; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:578.15(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง578.15. Louisiana Wild Seafood Certification Program
9 A.(1) The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is authorized
10 to establish a quality certification program for Louisiana wild fish, as defined in R.S.
11 56:8, and for Louisiana wild seafood products, including wild-caught shrimp, which
12 that are taken, or harvested, or from the Gulf of Mexico and meet any two of the
13 following three criteria:
14 (a) The fish are landed in Louisiana.
15 (b) The fish are processed in Louisiana.
16 (c) The fish are packaged in Louisiana.
17 (2) The program shall be established through the promulgation and adoption
18 of certification standards in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Such
19 standards may include but are not limited to harvest requirements, post-harvest
20 refrigeration requirements, quality standards, handling practices, traceability,
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-519 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 277
1 branding and branding registrations, recording requirements, compliance standards,
2 and packaging regulations. The secretary may develop and regulate certification
3 protocols, programs, and establish regulatory authority in cooperation with the
4 Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Department of Health
5 and Hospitals, Louisiana State University, and any other state or federal agency
6 deemed appropriate.
7 * * *
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 277 Original 2016 Regular Session Abramson
Abstract: Expands the criteria for designation as "Louisiana Wild Seafood" certification.
Present law establishes the "Louisiana Wild Seafood" quality certification program.
Provides that only seafood products, including wild-caught shrimp, that are taken, harvested
or landed in La. qualify for such certification.
Proposed law would allow certification for seafood, including wild-caught shrimp, that are
taken or harvested from the Gulf of Mexico and meet any two of the following three criteria:
(1)The fish are landed in Louisiana.
(2)The fish are processed in Louisiana.
(3)The fish are packaged in Louisiana.
(Amends R.S. 56:578.15(A))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.