HLS 16RS-523 ENGROSSED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 303
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEOPOLD
FISHING/OYSTERS: Requires successful completion of an oyster harvester education
program prior to applying for an oyster harvester license
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:303.6(D), relative to oyster harvester licenses; to provide for
3 certain qualifications for holding an oyster harvester license; to require successful
4 completion of an oyster harvester education program; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:303.6(D) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง303.6. Oyster harvester license
9 * * *
10 D. Beginning in license year 2017 and thereafter, any person applying for
11 an oyster harvester license shall have completed the oyster harvester education
12 program within the previous three years. The oyster harvester education program
13 shall be developed by the department, promulgated under the Administrative
14 Procedure Act by the commission, and implemented by the department for the
15 purpose of developing professionalism in the oyster harvest industry. The oyster
16 harvester education program shall include training in the Louisiana Shellfish
17 Sanitation Program, Chapter 3 of Part IX of Title 51 of the Louisiana Administrative
18 Code, "Preparation and Handling of Seafood for Market". In addition, the oyster
19 harvester education program shall include best practices for conservation of the
20 species.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-523 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 303
1 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
2signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
3by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
4vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
5effective on the day following such approval.
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 303 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Leopold
Abstract: Requires applicants for an oyster harvester license to have completed an oyster
harvester education program including the La. Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Present law requires the captain of a vessel harvesting oysters to have obtained an oyster
harvester license. It is an annual license that costs $100 for residents and $400 for
nonresidents.
Proposed law requires that beginning in license year 2017 and thereafter, any person
applying for an oyster harvester license shall have completed the oyster harvester education
program in the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries within the previous three years. Requires the
Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to develop an oyster harvester education program for the
purpose of developing professionalism in the oyster harvest industry. Requires the oyster
harvester education program to include training in the La. Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Further requires the oyster harvester education program to include best practices for
conservation of the species.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 56:303.6(D))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.