SSHB61 3941 4760
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB 61 2022 Regular Session Kerner
FISHING: Extends the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund and extends payments into
the Underwater Obstruction Removal Fund
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Specify that administration of Fishermen's Gear Compensation is under the
assistant secretary of the office of coastal management, and administration of
underwater obstruction removal is under the assistant secretary of the office of
conservation.
2.Make technical changes.
Digest of Bill as Finally Passed by Senate
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,
2023, and extends the existence of the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund to June 30,
2023.
Proposed law sunsets the Fishermen's Gear Compensation Fund and creates the Fishermen's
Gear Compensation and Underwater Obstruction Removal Dedicated Fund Account.
Proposed law authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources to levy an annual
fee in the amount of $400 upon each lessee or operator for any agreement for mineral or
energy production or for subsurface storage entered into by the State Mineral and Energy
Board and each grantee of a state right-of-way, for each lease and right-of-way on July 1,
2023, and which are located within the coastal zone boundary. Further prohibits the secretary
from levying the fee upon a political subdivision of the state.
Proposed law provides for the eligibility of claimants and the requirements for disbursement
of funds.
Proposed law requires the department to maintain an accurate accounting of all structures and
facilities on state waterbottoms and to classify all potential hazards to commercial fishing.
Proposed law provides a termination date of June 30, 2027, for the program and fund
account.
Proposed law specifies that the assistant secretary of the office of coastal management will
administer the program and fund account for purposes of fishermen's gear compensation, and
the assistant secretary of the office of conservation will administer the program and fund
account for purposes of underwater obstruction removal.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends the heading of Part VIII of Chapter 1 of Title 30 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes
of 1950, R.S. 30:101.1, 101.2(A), 101.3(1) and (4), 101.4(Section heading) and (A),
101.5(A)(1), 101.6(A)(5) and (6), and 101.9(Section heading), (A) and (C)(4), R.S.
Page 1 of 2 SSHB61 3941 4760
36:354(E)(2), and R.S. 56:700.2(A)(4) and 700.6; Adds R.S. 30:101.3(7) and (8),
101.6(A)(8) and (9), 101.9(D)(5), and 101.11-101.15; Repeals R.S. 56:700.1-700.6)
Page 2 of 2