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 593 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Pugh
Abstract: Provides relative to the regulation of turtles. Provides requirements to rules and
regulations relative to the administration and enforcement of the regulation of turtles.
Present law provides that the purpose of present law is to prevent the introduction into and
dissemination within this state of contagious and infectious diseases of turtles by providing for the
regulation, inspection, and control of turtles.
Proposed law changes present law by requiring the regulation, inspection, and control related to farm
raised turtles instead of turtles in general.
Present law requires the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the
provisions of present law.
Proposed law mandates that the rules and regulations include rules regarding breeding, disposal,
raising, identification, inspecting, licensing, monitoring, sanitization, shipping or transporting,
testing, and quarantine of farm raised turtles or turtle eggs.
Present law defines "antibiotic", "certificate of inspection", "commissioner", "health certificate",
"licensed turtle farm", "person", "siebeling method", and "turtle group".
Proposed law removes the definitions for "antibiotic", "certificate of inspection", and the "siebeling
method" and adds definitions for "chain of custody" and "farm raised turtle".
Proposed law changes the requirements in the definition of a health certificate, removes any
reference to the siebeling method in the definitions, and changes any turtle or pet turtle references
to farm raised turtles. Also adds turtle eggs to the definition of turtle farm.
Proposed law adds a requirement that an applicant complete a written application, pay the required
license fee, and comply with any other requirement to become a licensed turtle farmer.
Present law requires each licensed turtle farmer maintain accurate records including information as
to production, sales, shipping, and laboratory certification.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides for violations of present law, including but not limited to, failing to dispose of all turtles or turtle eggs in a quarantined group and willfully disposing of improperly any antibiotic
solution.
Proposed law removes these two violations from present law.
Present law provides a violation for shipping or moving turtles or turtle eggs without a certificate
of inspection or a health certificate for any purpose other than testing.
Proposed law changes present law by only requiring the required documentation instead of a
certificate of inspection or a health certificate.
(Amends R.S. 3:2358.1, 2358.2(B), 2358.3, 2358.4(D), 2358.7(A), and 2358.13; Repeals R.S.
3:2358.5, 2358.6, 2358.7(B), 2358.8, 2358.9, 2358.10, 2358.11, and 2358.12)