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 197 Original 2018 Regular Session Reynolds
Abstract: Prohibits the importation of live cervid.
Present law requires a license issued by the commissioner of agriculture for any person to own, raise,
sell, or harvest imported exotic deer, antelope, elk, farm-raised white tail deer, and other exotic
cervidae, for any purpose, on farms or preserves owned or leased by the applicant. Specifies that
such license is valid for one year and may be renewed.
Proposed law removes from the license the privilege of importing exotic deer, antelope, elk, farm-
raised white tail deer, and other cervidae. Further, proposed law prohibits the importation of any live
cervid from outside the state.
Authorizes the commissioner of agriculture to revoke a license or impose a civil penalty of $1,000
for violations of proposed law. Additionally, specifies that violations of proposed law enforced by
wildlife agents of the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries are class four violations.
Present law provides that a class four violation carries the following penalties:
(1)First offense, a fine of not less than $400 nor more than $950 or imprisonment for not more
than 120 days, or both.
(2)Second offense, a fine of not less than $750 nor more than $999 and imprisonment for not
less than 90 nor more than 180 days.
(3)Third and subsequent offenses, a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 and
imprisonment for not less than 180 days nor more than two years.
(4)All class four violations include forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the
violation.
(Amends R.S. 3:3103(A), (C), and (D) and R.S. 56:20(C), Adds R.S. 3:3103(E) and R.S. 56:20(D))