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 422 Original 2018 Regular Session Lyons
Abstract: Corrects statutory references remaining from the transfer of the State Land Office from
the Dept. of Natural Resources to the Division of Administration.
Present law provides that grant, sale, or conveyance of water bottoms within the territory can only
be made by the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources. Proposed law gives that responsibility
to the Register of the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:14)
Present law provides that any person who desires to purchase any timber located on property under
the jurisdiction of the Office of State Lands must file an application and deposit $100 with the
secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources. Proposed law provides for that application and deposit
to be made to the Register of the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:1001)
Present law provides that, on receipt of an application to have timber offered for sale, the secretary
of the Dept. of Natural Resources must request the assistant secretary of the Office of Forestry to
evaluate the current market value and quantity that could be harvested based on sound forestry
practices. Proposed law provides that the Register of the State Land Office requests the Dept. of
Agriculture and Forestry, office of forestry, to evaluate the current market value and quantity that
can be harvested. (R.S. 41:1002)
Present law authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources to advertise for bids for sale
of timber. Proposed law gives that authority to the Register of the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:1002)
Present law provides for the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources to advertise the sale of the
timber in the official journal of the parish where the land is located. Proposed law gives that
responsibility to the Register of the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:1003)
Present law provides that monies from and documentation associated with the sale of timber be
forwarded to the Dept. of Natural Resources for deposit in the state treasury. Proposed law provides
that the monies and documentation be forwarded to the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:1005)
Present law provides for ingress and egress for the removal of timber to be fixed in the advertisement
and in the act of sale by the Dept. of Natural Resources within one year of the sale unless proof is
provided to the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources that a delay would result in hardship.
Proposed law provides that those responsibilities reside with the Register of the State Land Office.
(R.S. 41:1006) Present law requires that if the Dept. of Natural Resources advertises the sale of timber on land
whose title is in dispute, the payment for that timber be placed in escrow with the department
pending resolution of ownership of the land. Proposed law places these responsibilities with the
Register of the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:1008)
Present law authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources to permit selective cutting of
standing cypress on a state-owned water bottom. Proposed law gives that authority to the Register
of State Lands. (R.S. 41:1009)
Present law, relative to timber on levee district lands, requires the secretary of the levee district to
request an evaluation of the timber by the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources. Proposed law
provides for the evaluation to be done by the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, office of forestry.
(R.S. 41:1042)
Present law, relative to timber on interagency recreation board lands within the Dept. of Public
Safety and Corrections, requires the secretary of the board to request an evaluation of the timber by
the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources. Proposed law provides for the evaluation to be done
by the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, office of forestry. (R.S. 41:1082)
Present law, relative to leasing of state land, requires anyone making application for a lease of state
land, including placement of structures, obstacles, fill, or other materials, to submit maps, plans,
specifications, or other information as required by the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources.
Proposed law changes that reference to the Register of the State Land Office. (R.S. 41:1213)
Present law requires the "Dept. of Natural Resources, office of state lands" to establish a statewide
land information mapping and records system. Proposed law requires the State Land Office to
establish such mapping and records system. (R.S. 50:171(A))
(Amends R.S. 41:14, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1005, 1006, 1008, 1009, 1042, 1082, 1213 and R.S.
50:171(A))