RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 168 (SB 103) 2021 Regular Session Hensgens
Establishes the La. Equine Promotion and Research Program to support the growth and
development of the equine industry in Louisiana.
Defines the following terms:
(1)"Board" means the La. Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board.
(2)"Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
(3)"Equine" means all members of the genus Equus, regardless of age, including horses,
ponies, mules, donkeys, and zebras.
(4)"Equine educational program" means any event focused on improving a participant's
understanding of equines.
(5)"Equine event" means any kind of show, exposition, contest, or tournament where
equines are shown competitively.
(6)"Equine facility" means any facility used to host equine events.
(7)"Equine industry member" means any person with an interest and background in the
requirements of owning, breeding, showing, or managing equines.
(8)"Equine performance" means any discipline within the equine industry where equines
are used competitively or in exhibition.
(9)"Equine research" means any scholarly activity conducted to collect scientific data
utilizing experimental design.
(10)"Program" means the La. Equine Promotion and Research Program.
(11)"Promotion of the equine industry" means the development of a comprehensive
marketing plan for the equine industry including a website, social media, and an
advertising program that includes all breeds, disciplines, and equine-related activities.
(12)"Therapeutic riding and rehabilitation center" means any Professional Association
of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) accredited program that
utilizes equine-assisted activities to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical,
and social well-being of individuals.
(13)"Trail facility" means a facility with routes planned specifically for public equine use
as well as necessary support areas such as camping facilities.
Creates the La. Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board within the Dept. of
Agriculture and Forestry.
Provides that the board shall consist of thirteen members appointed by the commissioner as
follows:
(1)One member who is engaged in the equine event business appointed from a list of
three persons nominated by the La. Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
(2)One member who is engaged in the trail facility business appointed from a list of
three persons nominated by the La. Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
(3)One member who is engaged in equine educational programs from an accredited
postsecondary education institution in Louisiana.
(4)One member engaged in the promotion of the equine industry appointed from a list
of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc. (5)One member who is engaged in equine research from an accredited postsecondary
education institution in Louisiana.
(6)Two members who are engaged in equine performance.
(7)Two members who are engage in equine racing.
(8)One member who is an owner or operator of a therapeutic riding and rehabilitation
center appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the La. Farm Bureau
Federation, Inc.
(9)One member who is an owner or operator of an equine facility appointed from a list
of three persons nominated by the La. Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
(10)One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana
Quarter Horse Breeder Association.
(11)One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana
Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
Requires the commissioner, the lieutenant governor, and the president of the La. Farm
Bureau Federation, Inc., or their designees, to serve as ex officio members in an advisory
capacity only.
Provides for the organization and administration of the board, including provisions for
nominations, the length of terms, vacancies, quorum requirements, expulsions, meeting
requirements, and the appointment of officers.
Provides the board should be representative of the state's population by race and gender to
ensure diversity.
Prohibits members of the board from receiving any compensation.
Requires the board to:
(1)Advise the commissioner on the development and maintenance of the La. Equine
Promotion and Research Program.
(2)Maintain a permanent record of its proceedings.
(3)Submit an annual report of its activities to the Senate Committee on Agriculture,
Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development and the House Committee on
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development by January first of each
year.
Authorizes the board to:
(1)Provide information to governmental entities upon request on subjects of concern to
the equine industry and collaborate with the state or federal government on the
development and administration of the program.
(2)Cooperate with any local, state, regional, or national organization or agency engaged
in activities consistent with the objectives of the program.
Authorizes the commissioner to:
(1)Adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to administer the program.
(2)Enter into contracts or other agreements to accomplish any purpose authorized by
new law, including advertising, education, marketing, promotion, research, or
services. Authorizes the commissioner to accept and expend monies from any source, including gifts,
contributions, donations, state appropriations, and federal grants, and to accept and use
services from individuals, corporations, and governmental entities.
Requires all funds made available to the commissioner be expended only to effectuate the
purposes of new law, including the following uses:
(1)To attract national contests, shows, and equine events to Louisiana.
(2)To develop and promote equine tourism through the enhancement of equine trails and
camping facilities.
(3)To support therapeutic riding and rehabilitation programs.
(4)To develop educational programs and disseminate educational materials on the
equine industry.
(5)To support the enhancement and maintenance of public multi-use equine facilities.
(6)To promote activities, facilities, events, and the needs of the Louisiana equine
industry.
(7)To contract for scientific research with any accredited postsecondary education
institution or similar educational institution that will assist in carrying out the
purposes of the program, including equine health, welfare, management,
reproduction, nutrition, and general physiology.
Provides for the transfer of the board to the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry as provided by
law.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 11, 2021).
(Adds R.S. 3:2071-2077 and R.S. 36:629(T))