HLS 21RS-542 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 75
BY REPRESENTATIVE KERNER
FISHING: Extends the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund and extends payments into
the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4) and 700.6, relative to the Fishermen's Gear
3 Compensation Fund; to extend the existence of such fund; to extend payments into
4 the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund; to provide an effective date; and to
5 provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4) and 700.6 are hereby amended and reenacted to read
8as follows:
9 §700.2. Establishment, continuance, and purposes of fund; geographical coverage;
10 assessments
11 A. There is hereby established in the state treasury a Fishermen's Gear
12 Compensation Fund into which amounts paid pursuant to this Section shall be
13 deposited. The fund shall be available to the secretary only for the following
14 purposes:
15 * * *
16 (4) On July 1, 2014, and on each July first thereafter and ending on June 30,
17 2022, 2026, the state treasurer shall annually deposit the amount of two hundred fifty
18 thousand dollars into the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund as provided in R.S.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-542 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 75
1 30:101.9. The department shall seek to match these funds with whatever federal or
2 state funds may be available for such purposes.
3 * * *
4 §700.6. Termination date
5 The provisions of this Part shall terminate and have no effect after June 30,
6 2022. 2026.
7 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
8signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
9by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
10vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
11effective 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 75 Original 2021 Regular Session Kerner
Abstract: Extends the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund and payments into the
Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund until June 30, 2026.
Present law creates the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to pay compensation for
damages suffered by a commercial fisherman as a result of hitting or snagging on an
obstruction or a hazard in waters of the state resulting from natural occurrences, oil and gas
activities, or other activities where the obstruction is unknown. Provides that payments into
the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund will cease on June 30, 2022.
Proposed law extends payments into the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund to June 30,
2026, and extends the existence of the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to June 30,
2026.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4) and 700.6)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.