The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 123 Original 2016 Regular Session Hewitt
Prior resolution (SR 159 of 2014 RS) created the Lower Pearl River Basin Ecosystem Study
Commission to study and make recommendations to the legislature and federal agencies on the
development of a long-term comprehensive master plan to protect and preserve the Lower Pearl
River Basin ecosystem.
Provided for the following commission membership of 16 members:
(1)Two senators appointed by the president, or their designees, one of whom shall serve as
chairperson.
(2)Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker or their designees.
(3)The secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, or his designee.
(4)The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or his designee.
(5)The secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, or her designee.
(6)The president of Washington Parish, or his designee.
(7)The president of St. Tammany Parish, or his designee.
(8)Four residents of St. Tammany Parish, appointed by the legislators representing that parish.
(9)Three residents of Washington Parish, appointed by the legislators representing that parish.
Provided that the study should focus on the area of protection, the creation of an authority to manage
the protection area, financing for the authority, long-term projects for the preservation and
maintenance of the protection area, and any future needs of the protection area.
Provided that the members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except per diem
or expenses reimbursement to which they may be individually entitled as members of their respective
constituent organization.
Provided that the commission may conduct such meetings at such times as it may deem necessary
or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and
accomplish the objectives and purposes of the Resolution. Prior resolution (SR 152 of 2015 RS) re-created the commission with the same membership, duties,
powers, and limitation on compensation as stated in SR No. 159 and required a report to the
legislature no later than 60 days prior to the 2016 RS.
Proposed resolution re-creates the commission with the same membership, duties, powers, and
limitation on compensation as stated in SR No. 159, requires a report to the legislature no later than
April 30, 2017, and provides that the commission shall terminate on April 30, 2017.