HLS 21RS-640 REENGROSSED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 363
BY REPRESENTATIVE TARVER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
MTR VEHICLE/LICEN PLATES: Provides relative to the Protect Wild Dolphins special
prestige license plates
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 47:463.139(C), (E), and (F) and to repeal R.S. 47:463.139(G),
3 relative to the Protect Wild Dolphins special prestige license plate; to provide for
4 design consultation; to provide relative to the annual royalty fee; to provide relative
5 to the purpose of the plate; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 47:463.139(C), (E), and (F) are hereby amended and reenacted to
9read as follows:
10 ยง463.139. Special prestige license plate; Protect Wild Dolphins
11 * * *
12 C. The secretary shall design the plates, which shall bear the dolphin logo
13 and slogan "Protect Wild Dolphins". The license plate shall be designed in
14 consultation with EarthEcho International, Incorporated Protect Wild Dolphins
15 Alliance, Inc.
16 * * *
17 E. The annual royalty fee shall be collected by the department and forwarded
18 to EarthEcho International, Incorporated for use of the group's logo Protect Wild
19 Dolphins Alliance, Inc. The monies received from the royalty fees shall be used
20 solely for the support of scientific research, conservation, and educational programs
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-640 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 363
1 that serve to restore and protect the ocean environment and freshwater systems and
2 to protect wild dolphins by EarthEcho International, Incorporated. Twenty-five
3 percent of the funds may be utilized for continuing promotion and marketing of the
4 license plate and cause.
5 F. The purpose of such plate is to recognize and support the many
6 contributions to environmental protection by EarthEcho International, Incorporated.
7 G. F. The secretary shall adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to
8 implement the provisions of this Section.
9 Section 2. R.S. 47:463.139(G) is hereby repealed.
10 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
11signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
12by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
13vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
14effective on the day following such approval.
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 363 Reengrossed 2021 Regular Session Tarver
Abstract: Modifies provisions governing the Protect Wild Dolphins license plate by
changing the entity to be consulted for design and the entity designated to receive the
annual royalty fee, removing language limiting use of the fee, and modifying the
purpose of the license plate.
Present law establishes a "Protect Wild Dolphins" special prestige license plate and provides
that the secretary of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections must design the plate in
consultation with EarthEcho International, Inc. Proposed law changes the entity to be
consulted in the design of the plate from EarthEcho International, Inc. to Protect Wild
Dolphins Alliance, Inc.
Present law requires the department to forward the annual royalty fee collected from such
plates to EarthEcho International, Inc., for use of the group's logo. Proposed law changes
the entity receiving the annual royalty fee from EarthEcho International, Inc. to Protect Wild
Dolphins Alliance, Inc., and removes language indicating that the fee is forwarded for use
of the group's logo.
Present law requires that the royalty fees be used to support scientific research, conservation,
and educational programs that serve to restore and protect the ocean environment and
freshwater systems and to protect wild dolphins by EarthEcho International, Inc., and that
25% of the funds may be used for promotion and marketing of the plate and cause. Proposed
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-640 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 363
law removes the requirement that the research, conservation, and educational programs be
provided by EarthEcho International, Inc., but otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides that the purpose of the license plate is to recognize and support
contributions to environmental protection by EarthEcho International, Inc. Proposed law
deletes present law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 47:463.139(C), (E), and (F); Repeals R.S. 47:463.139(G))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.