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 317 Original 2021 Regular Session Kerner
Abstract: Establishes the Imported Seafood Safety Fund and an annual fee to support testing and
monitoring for harmful substances in imported seafood to be conducted by the La.
Department of Health.
Present law requires the La. Department of Health (LDH) to charge and collect an annual
commercial seafood permit fee from each seafood distributor and processing plant in amounts
specified in present law.
Proposed law retains present law and requires LDH to charge and collect an annual imported seafood
safety fee of $100 from each holder of a commercial seafood permit fee who sells imported seafood.
Provides that the proceeds of the fee shall be used for the purposes described in proposed law.
Proposed law creates the Imported Seafood Safety Fund as a special fund in the state treasury.
Provides that the proceeds of the imported seafood safety fee established by proposed law shall be
deposited into the Imported Seafood Safety Fund, referred to hereafter as the "fund".
Proposed law requires that the monies in the fund be appropriated and expended solely for the
purpose of sampling, analysis, testing, and monitoring of raw seafood products of foreign origin that
are imported into this state and stored on the premises of any commercial seafood permit holder.
Requires that LDH directly administer or contract for such sampling, analysis, testing, and
monitoring functions.
Proposed law requires LDH to employ sampling, analysis, testing, and monitoring to detect in
imported seafood products the presence of substances that are harmful to human health. Provides
that the state health officer of the LDH office of public health shall determine the specific types of
sampling, analysis, testing, and monitoring functions to be implemented as well as the frequency and
scope of these activities. Authorizes the state health officer to modify the frequency and scope of
such activities based upon the availability of funding to support the activities.
(Amends R.S. 40:31.35(C); Adds R.S. 40:5.10.1)