2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 69
BY SENATOR ALLAIN AND REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To establish the One Call Agricultural Study Group to study the Louisiana Underground
Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law as it relates to agriculture and the
needs of the agricultural industry and make recommendations in a written report to
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs,
and the House Committee on Commerce not later than February 1, 2021.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention
Law was enacted to promote the protection of property, workmen, and citizens in the
immediate vicinity of an underground facility or utility from damage, death, or injury and
to promote the health and well-being of the community by preventing the interruption of
essential services which may result from the destruction of, or damage to, underground
facilities or utilities; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention
Law does not provide any exemption for an agricultural operator; and
WHEREAS, neighboring states with laws similar to the Louisiana Underground
Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law grant exemptions to the agricultural
industry; and
WHEREAS, a review and study of the laws of other states relating to underground
utilities and facilities and their impact to the agricultural industry may bring about
recommendations beneficial to the agricultural industry while maintaining and preserving
the intent of the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
establish the One Call Agricultural Study Group to study the Louisiana Underground
Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law as it relates to agriculture and the needs of
the agricultural industry and make recommendations as to whether the law should be
amended to make exemptions for the agricultural industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall be comprised of the
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following members:
(1) The chairman of the Dig Advisory Committee of Louisiana One Call or his
designee.
(2) Three representatives of the Dig Advisory Committee of Louisiana One Call,
designated by the committee.
(3) The president of the American Sugarcane League or his designee.
(4) The executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association or his designee.
(5) The president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc. or his designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairman of the Dig Advisory Committee
shall be the chairman of the study group.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this study group shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the study group and any official action by the study group shall
require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the members designated as
provided herein shall be submitted to the chair of the study group by July 15, 2020, and the
chair shall thereafter call the first meeting of the study group no later than August 15, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner of the office of conservation,
Department of Natural Resources, shall be responsible for designating staff from the office
of conservation to assist the study group in performing its duties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that not later than February 1, 2021, the study group
shall report its findings and recommendations in a written report to the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs and the House Committee on
Commerce and such recommendations shall include whether exemptions to the Louisiana
Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law should be made for the
agricultural industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall terminate on February 1,
2021.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
commissioner of the office of conservation, Department of Natural Resources, and the
entities named in the Resolution to be represented on the study group.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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