ENROLLED
ACT No. 9
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 516
BY REPRESENTATIVE ANDERS
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 3:559.23(B), (D), and (F), 559.25(A)(6), and 559.27(A), and to
3 repeal R.S. 3:559.23(C) and 559.26, relative to the Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian
4 Research and Promotion Board; to provide for the board membership; to repeal
5 referendums associated with the board; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 3:559.23(B), (D), and (F), 559.25(A)(6), and 559.27(A) are hereby
8 amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 §559.23. Louisiana Aquatic Chelonian Research and Promotion Board
10 * * *
11 B.(1) The board shall consist of ten six members, nine five of whom shall
12 be licensed turtle farmers appointed by the commissioner and confirmed by the
13 Senate, as follows:.
14 (2) The commissioner, or his designee, shall serve ex officio and shall have
15 all rights and responsibilities of appointed members. The commissioner or his
16 designee shall be counted for purposes of constituting a quorum.
17 (1) Two members shall be licensed farmers appointed from a list of four
18 persons nominated by the Louisiana Turtle Farmers Association.
19 (2) Two members shall be licensed farmers appointed from a list of four
20 persons nominated by the Independent Turtle Farmers of Louisiana, Inc.
21 (3) Two members shall be licensed farmers appointed from a list of four
22 persons nominated by the Pet Turtle Cooperative Association, Inc.
23 (4) Two members shall be licensed farmers who are not a member of any of
24 the trade organizations listed in this Subsection.
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1 (5) One member with knowledge of the aquatic chelonian industry shall be
2 appointed at large.
3 D. At the same time and in the same manner, the commissioner shall appoint
4 one alternate for each appointed member. The alternate appointed to represent a
5 member nominated by a trade group shall be appointed from the list of four persons
6 submitted by the respective trade group. Each alternate member shall be a licensed
7 turtle farmer. When a member is unable to be present at any meeting of the board,
8 his alternate shall serve in his place. Any alternate serving in the place of a member
9 shall exercise all of the powers vested by law in the member, including the right to
10 vote.
11 * * *
12 F. Vacancies in the offices of the members and alternates shall be filled in
13 the same manner as the original appointments. If the position of any member or
14 alternate appointed from a list of persons submitted by one of the trade groups named
15 in this Section becomes vacant, then the commissioner shall call for a list of names
16 from the appropriate trade group. If any trade group named in this Section becomes
17 defunct or does not submit a full list of names to the commissioner within thirty days
18 after he requests a list of names, then the commissioner may appoint any licensed
19 turtle farmer not already appointed to the board to fill a vacancy. Persons appointed
20 to fill vacancies shall serve out the unexpired portion of the memberships to which
21 they have been appointed.
22 * * *
23 §559.25. Powers
24 A. The board shall have the following powers:
25 * * *
26 (6) To annually adjust the amount of assessment in accordance with the
27 needs of the aquatic chelonian industry, but not to exceed the amount of one cent per
28 aquatic chelonian as authorized by this Part and approved by referendum.
29 * * *
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1 §559.27. Assessment on aquatic chelonians; collection; refunds; costs
2 A. An assessment may be levied on all aquatic chelonians produced in
3 Louisiana, subject to approval in a referendum authorized by this Part. The amount
4 of the assessment shall be set by the board, but shall not exceed one cent per aquatic
5 chelonian.
6 * * *
7 Section 2. R.S. 3:559.23(C) and 559.26 are hereby repealed in their entirety.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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