ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 69
BY REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To authorize and direct the House Committee on Commerce, or a subcommittee thereof, and
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International
Affairs, or a subcommittee thereof, to meet and to function as a joint committee to
study what legislative measures should be taken to best capitalize on Louisiana's
competitive advantage in international trade by 2030 and to report the findings of the
joint committee to the legislature prior to the convening of the 2021 Regular Session
of the Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Louisiana contains three of the most important waterways in the world:
the Mississippi River, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and the Calcasieu Ship Channel; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's port and rail connections are considered among the top
global freight transportation hubs; and
WHEREAS, international trade, including exports and imports, supports more than
one in five jobs; and
WHEREAS, more than ninety-five percent of the world's population and eighty
percent of the world's purchasing power lie outside of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the future economic growth and jobs for Louisiana and America
increasingly depend on expanding U.S. trade and investment opportunities in the global
marketplace; and
WHEREAS, export growth increases jobs by generating new business for Louisiana's
manufacturers, service providers, and farmers; and
WHEREAS, imports lower prices and increase choices for Louisiana companies and
families; and
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WHEREAS, trade-supported jobs are not just at companies that export and import;
and
WHEREAS, trade supports higher wages for workers and lower costs for companies
and consumers, providing them with more money to spend on other things; and
WHEREAS, this spending supports additional jobs throughout the economy in
sectors like entertainment, education, and construction; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks among the top U.S. state exporters in various industries,
including grain and oilseed milling products, farmed fish, petroleum and coal products, and
basic chemicals; and
WHEREAS, a purposeful and strategic approach to trade regulation, agreements, and
investments would benefit Louisiana's economic future and the future of Louisiana families.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
direct the House Committee on Commerce, or a subcommittee thereof, and the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs, or a
subcommittee thereof, to meet and to function as a joint committee to study the best
international trade practices to implement in order to capitalize on Louisiana's competitive
advantage in international trade and to report the findings of the joint committee to the
legislature prior to the convening of the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature of
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana further directs the
joint committee to solicit input, information, data, recommendations, and advice from the
following agencies and organizations:
(1) The Department of Economic Development.
(2) The Department of Transportation and Development.
(3) Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
(4) The Committee of 100.
(5) The Louisiana Chemical Association.
(6) Ports Association of Louisiana.
(7) Louisiana Association of Waterways and Shipyards.
(8) Louisiana Rail Association.
(9) Louisiana Motor Transportation Association.
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(10) Associated Branch Pilots.
(11) Crescent River Port Pilots.
(12) Lake Charles Pilots.
(13) New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association.
(14) World Trade Center-New Orleans.
(15) Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association.
(16) A representative of the Louisiana Crab Task Force.
(17) A representative of the Louisiana Finfish Task Force.
(18) A representative of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force.
(19) A representative of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force.
(20) Any persons, agencies, entities, or stakeholders that it deems necessary to fulfill
the purposes of the joint committee.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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