HLS 20RS-384 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 392
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
AGRICULTURE/FOREST DEPT: Removes a specific function of the office of forestry and
certain authority of the Louisiana Forestry Commission related to production and
prices of forest tree seedlings grown by the department
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 36:628(F) and to repeal R.S. 3:4303, relative to the functions and
3 duties of the office of forestry and the Louisiana Forestry Commission; to remove
4 the function of seedling production from the office of forestry; to remove the
5 Louisiana Forestry Commission's authority to set prices for the sale of forestry
6 seedlings grown by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry's
7 nurseries; and to provide for related matters.
8Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 36:628(F) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
10 ยง628. Offices; purposes and functions
11 * * *
12 F. The office of forestry, under the direction of the commissioner, shall
13 perform the functions of the state relating to the practice of forestry, in accordance
14 with the policies established by the forestry commission, including the
15 administration and supervision of the programs of the state for the protection,
16 management, and preservation of this natural resource including the production of
17 seedlings and other propagation stock; shall execute the state laws relating to forestry
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-384 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 392
1 and reforestation; and shall cooperate with the United States Forest Service in
2 accordance with law.
3 * * *
4 Section 2. R.S. 3:4303 is hereby repealed in its entirety.
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 392 Original 2020 Regular Session McFarland
Abstract: Removes the production of seedlings and propagation stock as a function of the
office of forestry. Also removes the authorization granted to the La. Forestry
Commission to set prices for the sale of those forest tree seedlings grown by La.
Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) nurseries.
Present law requires the office of forestry to perform functions relating to the practice of
forestry including the administration and supervision of programs for the protection,
management, and preservation of forests, which includes the production of seedlings and
other propagation stock.
Proposed law removes the specific function of producing forest seedlings and propagation
stock, but otherwise retains present law.
Present law authorizes the La. Forestry Commission to fix prices for the sale of forest tree
seedlings, grown by LDAF nurseries, to landowners involved in forestry activities, and
requires all receipts from such sale be retained and expended on department nurseries for
purposes of scientific forestry research and experimentation, land acquisition, and general
operations.
Proposed law repeals present law in its entirety.
(Amends R.S. 36:628(F); Repeals R.S. 3:4303)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.