HLS 16RS-646 ENGROSSED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 516
BY REPRESENTATIVE ANDERS
AGRICULTURE: Provides relative to the Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian Research and
Promotion Board
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 3:559.23(B), (D), and (F) and to repeal R.S. 3:559.26, relative
3 to the Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian Research and Promotion Board; to provide for
4 the board membership; to repeal referendums associated with the board; and to
5 provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 3:559.23(B), (D), and (F) are hereby amended and reenacted to read
8as follows:
9 ยง559.23. Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian Research and Promotion Board
10 * * *
11 B. The board shall consist of ten six members, nine five of whom shall be
12 licensed turtle farmers appointed by the commissioner and confirmed by the Senate,
13 as follows:.
14 (1) Two members shall be licensed farmers appointed from a list of four
15 persons nominated by the Louisiana Turtle Farmers Association.
16 (2) Two members shall be licensed farmers appointed from a list of four
17 persons nominated by the Independent Turtle Farmers of Louisiana, Inc.
18 (3) Two members shall be licensed farmers appointed from a list of four
19 persons nominated by the Pet Turtle Cooperative Association, Inc.
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HB NO. 516
1 (4) Two members shall be licensed farmers who are not a member of any of
2 the trade organizations listed in this Subsection.
3 (5) One member with knowledge of the aquatic chelonian industry shall be
4 appointed at large.
5 * * *
6 D. At the same time and in the same manner, the commissioner shall appoint
7 one alternate for each appointed member. The alternate appointed to represent a
8 member nominated by a trade group shall be appointed from the list of four persons
9 submitted by the respective trade group. Each alternate member shall be a licensed
10 turtle farmer. When a member is unable to be present at any meeting of the board,
11 his alternate shall serve in his place. Any alternate serving in the place of a member
12 shall exercise all of the powers vested by law in the member, including the right to
13 vote.
14 * * *
15 F. Vacancies in the offices of the members and alternates shall be filled in
16 the same manner as the original appointments. If the position of any member or
17 alternate appointed from a list of persons submitted by one of the trade groups named
18 in this Section becomes vacant, then the commissioner shall call for a list of names
19 from the appropriate trade group. If any trade group named in this Section becomes
20 defunct or does not submit a full list of names to the commissioner within thirty days
21 after he requests a list of names, then the commissioner may appoint any licensed
22 turtle farmer not already appointed to the board to fill a vacancy. Persons appointed
23 to fill vacancies shall serve out the unexpired portion of the memberships to which
24 they have been appointed.
25 * * *
26 Section 2. R.S. 3:559.26 is hereby repealed in its entirety.
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HB NO. 516
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 516 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Anders
Abstract: Changes the composition of the Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian Research and
Promotion Board. Repeals referendums associated with the Louisiana Aquatic
Chelonian Research and Promotion Board.
Present law provides for the La. Aquatic Chelonian Research and Promotion Board to be
composed of ten members, nine of whom shall be appointed by the commissioner and
confirmed by the Senate as follows: (1) two licensed farmers from a list of four persons who
are members of the La. Turtle Farmers Association, (2) two licensed farmers from a list of
four persons who are members of the Independent Turtle Farmers of La., (3) two licensed
farmers from a list of four persons who are members of the Pet Turtle Cooperative
Association, (4) two licensed farmers from a list of four persons who are not members of any
of the trade organizations listed, and (5) one member with knowledge of the aquatic
chelonian industry shall be appointed at large. Additionally provides for the commissioner
of agriculture to serve as an ex officio member.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the number of members on the board from
ten to six. Also, requires five members be licensed turtle farmers.
Present law requires the commissioner to appoint one alternate for each appointed member.
It further provides that the alternate appointed to represent a member nominated by a trade
group shall be appointed from the list of four persons submitted by the representative trade
group.
Proposed law modifies present law by requiring that each alternate be a licensed turtle
farmer.
Present law requires vacancies in the offices of the members and alternates be filled in the
same manner as the original appointments. It further provides that if the position of any
member or alternate appointed from a list of persons submitted by one of the trade groups
named becomes vacant, then the commissioner must call for a list of names from the
appropriate trade group; and if any trade group becomes defunct or does not submit a full
list of names to the commissioner within the time frame required, the commissioner may
appoint any licensed turtle farmer not already appointed to the board to fill a vacancy.
Proposed law removes the present law requirement.
Present law provides for referendums to be called by the commissioner to vote on any
assessments that the board may want to levy.
Proposed law repeals present law referendums requirements associated with the board.
(Amends R.S. 3:559.23(B), (D), and (F); Repeals R.S. 3:559.26)
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