RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 41 (HB 4) 2018 Regular Session Bishop
Existing law requires payment of a $5.50 fee for a saltwater fishing license for residents and
$30 for nonresidents. Prior law further required that from June 1, 2014 through May 31,
2018, an additional fee of $7.50 be paid for each resident saltwater fishing license issued and
dedicated the revenue from the additional fee to the Saltwater Fish Research and
Conservation Fund (fund) which is used solely for the administration and conducting of the
Louisiana Recreational Creel Survey (LACREEL) and the Recreational Offshore Landing
Permit (ROLP) program. New law allows the money in the fund to also be used for a
saltwater fish stock estimate.
New law extends the applicability date for the additional $7.50 fee from May 31, 2018, to
May 31, 2022.
New law authorizes the La. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to increase the additional fee
from $7.50 to an amount not to exceed $9.50. Requires that any increase above the $7.50
fee be used for the administration and conducting of the saltwater fish stock estimate.
Existing law provides for the expenditures of money from the Artificial Reef Development
Fund. New law provides that an amount of up to $2 million dollars may be used for the
administration and conducting of the saltwater fish stock estimate.
New law requires an annual report be made to the House Committee on Natural Resources
and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on the progress and
effectiveness of LACREEL and the saltwater fish stock estimate.
Effective May 10, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(g) and (16)(a) and 302.1(C)(1)(c); Adds R.S. 56:10(B)(16)(d) and
639.8(E)(4))