ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 64
BY REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To continue the Joint Subcommittee on International Trade of the House Committee on
Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and
International Affairs that was created pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No.
69 of the 2020 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana 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 2022 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 United States 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
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WHEREAS, imports lower prices and increase choices for Louisiana companies and
families; and
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
extend the Joint Subcommittee on International Trade of the House Committee on
Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International
Affairs to meet and 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 2022 Regular
Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana further directs the
joint subcommittee 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.
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(9) Louisiana Motor Transportation Association.
(10) Any persons, agencies, entities, or stakeholders that it deems necessary to fulfill
the purposes of the joint subcommittee.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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