RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 618 (HB 130) 2018 Regular Session Schexnayder
New law limits the use of airboats on the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area
(WMA) to airboat trails established by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Further
provides that the trails be established by rules and regulations promulgated in accordance
with the Administrative Procedures Act in the Maurepas Swamp WMA where airboat
operation is feasible and in a manner to best protect public safety and wildlife resources and
habitats.
New law limits airboat trails to trails or rights of way existing as of Feb. 1, 2018.
New law provides that such rules and regulations require mufflers and limitations on the
engine size on airboats, requires the operator to possess a WMA permit, to annually notify
the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries of the airboat's registration number, to make the airboat
available for inspection, and to prohibit use of the trails by airboats between Sept. 1st and the
following Jan. 31st.
New law prohibits any person from operating an airboat on the Maurepas Swamp WMA if
that person violates new law or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to new law, three
times within a 10-year period. Violation of new law is a class one violation.
New law provides that the provisions of new law will terminate on Aug. 1, 2019.
Existing law requires the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to keep at least one all-terrain
vehicle trail open throughout the year at each wildlife management area that has all-terrain
vehicle trails. A violation of existing law is a class one violation.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 56:109.1, Adds R.S. 56:109.4)