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 636 Original 2016 Regular Session Leopold
Abstract: Increases the fee for an oyster seed ground vessel permit and provides for an apprentice
program for eligibility for the permit
Present law requires possession of an oyster seed ground vessel permit for any vessel carrying or
harvesting oysters from a public natural reef or oyster seed ground. Provides that the fee for such
permit is $15 for Louisiana residents and $60 for nonresidents. Allowed application for the vessel
permit up to Dec. 31, 2012, but prohibited any applications thereafter. Sunsets the existence of the
permit beginning Nov. 15, 2016.
Proposed law increases the fees for the permits for a single scraper vessel to $250 for residents and
$1,000 for nonresidents and for a double scraper vessel to $500 for residents and $2,000 for
nonresidents. Dedicates all the fees derived from sale of the permits to the Public Oyster Seed
Ground Development Account.
Proposed law authorizes, notwithstanding the date limitation contained in present law, a person who
owns an oyster vessel who has satisfactorily completed the requirements of a professionalism
program to submit an application for a seed ground vessel permit. Requires the Wildlife and
Fisheries Commission to develop, establish, and monitor a professionalism program to train vessel
owners in appropriate methods and practices of oyster harvest from the public seed grounds.
Proposed law repeals the Nov. 15, 2016, sunset date.
(Amends R.S. 56:433.1(A)(1) and (2); Adds R.S. 56:433.1(B)(4); Repeals R.S. 56:433.1(E))